Budapest Opera Ball 2010

The history of the Budapest Opera Ball dates back to the end of the 19th century, when copying the custom of aristocrats attending old court dances, the upper class organized these kinds of elegant dances almost every month, usually as a charity fundraiser; in 1934, following the Viennese model, the first edition of the official Opera Ball was held in the Hungarian capital.
Then there was a long pause and after an interval of 62 years the modern version of the ball was organized in February 1996 - soon it became the largest and most important social event for local celebrities. The annual tradition is kept alive at the end of each winter and it offers an excellent opportunity for the most famous representatives of the cultural, political, business and entertainment world to meet and capture the attention of the public.

On the last Saturday of every carnival season the stage and the auditorium of the State Opera House is transformed into the most beautiful ballroom of the country, where every little details takes guests back in time, to the cultural protocol, social etiquette and good manners of past centuries. After a short greeting program the ball is opened by more than a hundred debutante dancers, then guests are served a sumptuous dinner and can waltz their way into the wee hours of the morning.
Through the years the ball's organizers had the honour to welcome a bunch of distinquished visitors such as M. Barre former Prime Minister of France, Baron Guy de Rothschild the head of the Rotschild Dinasty, Gilberte Beaux leading personality of the French economic branch, Thierry de Montbrial representing the French cultural and political life, Jürgen Köppen Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Hungary, Brigitte Zypries Federal Minister of Justice and Otto Wiesheu Bavarian Minister of Economy, as well as Dr. Dieter Böhmdorfer former Austrian Minister of Economy. Also among the guest stars of the last ten years there were famous international names, worthy of the event's prestige: Montserrat Caballé, Ornella Muti, Catherine Deneuve, Katarina Witt, Gina Lollobrigida, Daryl Hannah, Richard Clayderman, Franco Nero and Lothar Matthäus.

This year the ball will take place on the 13th of February and its guest of honour will be the well-known Argetinian-born opera tenor José Cura. Beside his presence participants can enjoy special entertainment program sin several places within the Opera House: in the Zwack Café they will be able to taste delicious cocktails while listening to the Babos Band, in the Székely Bertalan Hall they can enjoy a nice champagne bar and soft piano music, on a terrace a cigar room will be available, while in another salon guest will be able to try different brands of beer.
On the following day the decorative arrangements will be kept intact and will host a festive charity gala for underprivileged and disabled children, presenting a beautiful show of entertaining performances.