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ALLES WALZER! BALL SEASON IN VIENNA By érèse A. Schoen, owner of Mythic World Tours, Inc. This was the impression of one visitor to Vienna in the 19th Century. What makes Vienna stand out among other cities that boast great orchestras and host grand balls? A combination of history, tradition, over- the-top ball venues, a musical tradition that few other cities can offer and an attachment to an imperial past that many consider romantic, all contributed to Vienna’s special position as the music capital of the world. Even before the Waltz King, Johann Strauss, made music history, Vienna was a centre of music and culture. Emperor Joseph II (1741-1790), eldest son of Empress Maria Theresia and brother of Marie Antoinette, was unusual for a royal. In 1773, he started the tradition of public balls in Vienna when he decided that the ballrooms in the winter palace, the Hofburg, should be made available for public balls for the common man as well as for the nobility. The waltz is now generally considered an elitist dance, but it was Joseph II’s decision that introduced the waltz – the commoners’ dance – to the nobility. “I do verily believe, that if but the first draw of Strauss’ or Lanner’s fiddle-bow was heard on any street or marketplace in Vienna in any weather or season, or at any hour of the day or night, all living, breathing nature within earshot would commence to turn: the coachman would leap from his carriage, the laundress would desert her basket, and all - peeresses and prelates, priests and professors, soldiers and shopkeepers, waiters and washerwomen, Turks, Jews and gentiles -would simultaneously rush into one another’s arms and waltz themselves to jelly!” 1 1. “e Others’ Austria”, Vol. 1, published by www.ariadnebooks.com presents essays and letters by English and American visitors to Austria from 1814 to 1914

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Page 1: Alles WAlzer! - Mythic World Tours · Alles WAlzer! BAll seAson in ViennA ... swirling into the famous Viennese waltz. They were joined by three thousand other party goers dancing

Alles WAlzer! BAll seAson in ViennABy Thérèse A. Schoen, owner of Mythic World Tours, Inc.

This was the impression of one visitor to Vienna in the 19th Century.

What makes Vienna stand out among other cities that boast great orchestras and host grand balls? A combination of history, tradition, over-the-top ball venues, a musical tradition that few other cities can offer and an attachment to an imperial past that many consider romantic, all contributed to Vienna’s special position as the music capital of the world. Even before the Waltz King, Johann Strauss, made music history,

Vienna was a centre of music and culture.

Emperor Joseph II (1741-1790), eldest son of Empress Maria Theresia and brother of Marie Antoinette, was unusual for a royal. In 1773, he started the tradition of public balls in Vienna when he decided that the ballrooms in the winter palace, the Hofburg, should be made available for public balls for the common man as well as for the nobility. The waltz is now generally considered an elitist dance, but it was Joseph II’s decision

that introduced the waltz – the commoners’ dance – to the nobility.

“I do verily believe, that if but the first draw of Strauss’ or Lanner’s fiddle-bow was heard on any street or marketplace in Vienna in

any weather or season, or at any hour of the day or night, all living, breathing nature within earshot would commence to turn: the

coachman would leap from his carriage, the laundress would desert her basket, and all - peeresses and prelates, priests and professors, soldiers and shopkeepers, waiters and washerwomen, Turks, Jews and gentiles -would simultaneously rush into one another’s arms

and waltz themselves to jelly!”1

1. “The Others’ Austria”, Vol. 1, published by www.ariadnebooks.com presents essays and letters by English and American visitors to Austria from 1814 to 1914

Page 2: Alles WAlzer! - Mythic World Tours · Alles WAlzer! BAll seAson in ViennA ... swirling into the famous Viennese waltz. They were joined by three thousand other party goers dancing

Winter BAlls in ViennA

The winter ball season extends from Silvester (New Year ’s Eve) to Faschingsdienstag (Shrove Tuesday). More than 150 balls are officially scheduled with at least as many organised by the city, professional associations, churches, business organisations, committees, schools and clubs. Vienna can be cold and grey in winter. There is no shortage of opportunities to dress to the nines; party hard and literally dance until dawn, keeping the Viennese in good spirits – while contributing impressively to the local economy.

Le Grand Bal, formerly the Imperial Ball, is held each Silvester in various ballrooms in the Hofburg, the former winter palace of the Habsburg dynasty. The Silvester Ball kicks off the winter ball season in Vienna in grand style. Each year ’s programme includes world-class performances from the Vienna State Opera, the Volksoper, dancers from the major ballet companies, as well as orchestras and bands offering everything from Strauss to Jazz in the various rooms of the palace. No Viennese ball would be complete without the promenade of the debutantes and their escorts. Balls in Vienna begin with an opening ceremony which includes the grand entrance of the debutantes and their escorts, often to the accompaniment of the traditional “Facher Polanaise, Opus 525” by Karl Michael Ziehrer. Show dances follow, the easier choreography often performed by

the debutantes with the more intricate parts performed by professional dancers. All debutante ceremonies include an elaborately choreographed set dance for the debutante couples. Since 2000, Thomas Schäfer Elmayer, of the Elmayer-Vestenbrugg School of Dance, Vienna’s most prestigious dance school, has been Master of Dance at Vienna’s grand balls. The master of ceremonies’ famous invitation to dance, “Alles Walzer!” opens the dancing to guests at Viennese balls. A memorable four course dinner is also offered at Le Grand Bal, with, of course, champagne at midnight to toast the New Year in unforgettable style.

A Viennese favourite is the Ball of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. For one evening each year, the Vienna Musikverein becomes a ballroom. The Vienna Opera House also undergoes a similar overnight transformation as its auditorium is equipped with a dance floor that covers the seats for its annual ball. First held in 1924, the Vienna Philharmonic Ball has featured prominent personalities from the worlds of art, politics and society who comprise the Patronage and Honorary Committee. Held annually from 1924 to 1931 with a hiatus from 1932 to 1948, the festivities resumed again in 1949 and have become a highlight of the Viennese ball season, only interrupted in 1991 (as was the Vienna Opera Ball) due to the Gulf War.

Page 3: Alles WAlzer! - Mythic World Tours · Alles WAlzer! BAll seAson in ViennA ... swirling into the famous Viennese waltz. They were joined by three thousand other party goers dancing

Attended each year by heads of state, celebrities from the worlds of entertainment, the arts and politics (as well as thousands of would-be celebrities), the Vienna Opera Ball is perhaps the world’s most exclusive and extravagant grand ball. In 1860, when the staff of the Royal and Imperial Court Opera moved into their opulent new home on the Ringstrasse, Emperor Franz Josef refused permission to hold dances in his opera house. The first ball (Ball in der Hofoper/Court Opera) was held instead in the equally impressive building of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien. In 1877, Franz Josef finally relented and allowed a “soirée” to be held in his opera house; however, dancing was not allowed on the night of the celebration, the 11 to the 12 of December. The Viennese Tourist Journal stated the following day: “….it was initially quite difficult, but Viennese blood and Viennese courage withstood…after midnight, there was the first proper dance in the ballroom of our opera house.” After the fall of the Empire in 1918, the young republic returned to the tradition of holding grand balls in the opera house on the Ring and on January 21, 1921, the Republic of Austria held the first “Opernredoute”, the predecessor to today’s Opera Ball. Renamed the Vienna Opera Ball in January, 1935, the ball has been an international draw ever since. Interrupted from 1940 to 1955, the grand reopening of the Opera House was celebrated in November 1955.

The highlight of all Viennese balls is the quadrille, which has been a feature since the 19th Century. Always danced at midnight, the most popular is the “Fledermaus Quadrille” by Johann Strauss. The steps are always explained in advance by the dance master. Expect a mad dash through the passages by rows of dancers – sometimes ending in good-humoured chaos, which is to be expected with a guest list approaching 5000.

It ’s been said that Vienna is its most colourful at the Rudolfina Redoute, held each year at the Hofburg. A masked ball, the Rudolfina Redoute offers the ladies the opportunity to choose gentlemen dance partners until midnight.

Vienna’s most conservative ball is the Jägerball (Hunters’ Ball) where full Tracht (Austrian national dress) is required. Trachten can be very elegant and expensive, especially the women’s long formal national dress which differs according to the various regions. For the ladies who cannot resist the charm of the Dirndl or gentlemen who wish to acquire Lederhosen, here is a guide to the acceptable places, aside from the Jägerball, where you can wear your newly acquired Austrian Trachten.

Only a few of the major Viennese balls have been mentioned here. A list of the most important Viennese balls, all open to the public, can be found here.

Page 4: Alles WAlzer! - Mythic World Tours · Alles WAlzer! BAll seAson in ViennA ... swirling into the famous Viennese waltz. They were joined by three thousand other party goers dancing

summer BAlls in ViennA

The ball season continues in the summer with The Fête Impérial, the Concordia Ball and the Life Ball. On June 27, the Spanish Riding School was transformed into a ballroom for The Fête Impérial with Elisabeth Gürtler, managing director of the Vienna Sacher Hotel and former chair of the annual Vienna Opera Ball, presiding. The theme for 2014 was “Red White Red”; the festivities began with debutantes in white gowns and red sashes (the colours of Austria’s flag) accompanied by their escorts in tuxedos or tails, swirling into the famous Viennese waltz. They were joined by three thousand other party goers dancing the waltz, fox trot and tango until dawn. Empress Maria Theresia hosted rousing parties in the Spanish Riding School in the mid-1800s. The Fête Impérial brings the tradition of court balls to a modern audience with no less glitter and excitement.

The Press Club Concordia hosts its annual ball in Vienna’s Rathaus/City Hall. The Concordia Ball has been one of Vienna’s most exclusive balls for over 150 years. The theme for 2014 was “The Congress Dances” which commemorates the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815). Guests also had the opportunity to dance under the stars in the Arkadenhof. Information on the Press Club Concordia and the ball (ball information in German only) can be found here.

Follow this link for more information on Vienna’s Summer Balls.

The Life Ball is one of the world’s biggest AIDS benefit concerts. This year ’s theme was “Garden of Earthly Delights”. The opening festivities, held on May 31 at the Rathausplatz and featuring appearances by international celebrities and a fashion show presented by Italian Vogue for Men, were open to the public. As usual, the event was flashy, shrill and colourful. All donations from the Life Ball go to AIDS relief projects and to promote public awareness of the disease.

Follow this link for other gay balls, shopping, hotels and events in Vienna

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Dress AnD

etiquette

The major Viennese balls have strict dress codes. For ladies: floor length ball gowns. White dresses are traditionally worn by the debutantes who usually change into more colourful gowns after the official ceremonies. The gown should not be so long or the skirt so narrow as to restrict movement. Dance shoes are recommended,

though five inch heels are not.

Gentlemen are expected to wear tails (Frack in German) and white tie, tuxedo or national uniform. Deviations from the dress code can result in one

being refused admission to the balls.

Information regarding dress code is given on the websites for the balls; click here for more

suggestions regarding ball etiquette.

Please note that smoking is strictly prohibited, except in designated areas.