Glamourous debutantes don their finest white gowns as they step out with their dancing partners to dazzle thousands of guests at the Vienna Opera Ball

• Vienna Opera Ball dates back to 1814 and is held at the Wiener Staatsoper, which takes 30 hours to prepare
• It is known for having a celebrity guest list, including Jane Fonda this year, alongside figures from public life 

Glamorous debutantes donned their finest white gowns as they stepped out with their dancing partners to dazzle thousands of guests at the Vienna Opera Ball yesterday. 

The ball, which dates back to 1814, is held at the Wiener Staatsoper and it takes organisers 30 hours to convert the opera house into a ballroom plus another 21 to dismantle all the finery. 

Preparations for the formal event start weeks before, with 144 young couples aged between 17 to 24 dedicating themselves to rehearsals ahead of the night and spending hours putting the finishing touches on their outfits. 

The opera ball is one of the highlights of the social calendar in Austria and is known for a guest list that includes many celebrities.

This year US actress and Golden Globe winner Jane Fonda was pictured in the stands, while opera singers and political figures were also in attendance. Kim Kardashian has attended the event in the past. 

To attend the grand occasion, general admission costs €350 but guests can also pay 23,600 for a circle box, which can seat a maximum of 12 people and gives the ‘best views’ of the opera and opera floor. 

Glamorous debutantes donned their finest white gowns as they stepped out with their dancing partners to dazzle thousands of guests at the Vienna Opera Ball yesterday

Hundreds of guests attended the ball last night alongside their partners as they danced for the opening of the event

This year’s ball was the 65th out of the traditional annual event, which is a highlight in the Austrian social calendar

The ball is known for welcoming many celebrities: this year US actress Jane Fonda was pictured in the stands

Debutantes donned stunning white gowns, held bouquets and wore tiaras – as their smart partners wore spotless suits and white bow ties

The Vienna State Opera building is pictured ahead of this year’s annual event – as proceedings get underway for the splendour

Guests were keen for the ball to commence: they are pictured here waiting eagerly for the opening ceremony to begin

Dancers of the Wiener Staatsballett (state ballet) perform during the opening ceremony

Faschingskrapfen (jelly donuts) are on display during the traditional 65th Vienna Opera Ball

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and his wife Doris Schmidauer attended the opening of the annual Vienna Opera Ball

Members of the Young Ladies and Young Gentlemen Committee dance during the opening of the annual Vienna Opera Ball

Ballet dancers stunned the crowds as they performed in black glittering outfits with an assortment of flowers in their hair

(LtoR) Conductor Philippe Jordan, Finnish opera singer Camilla Nylund, Russian violinist Lidia Baich and Austrian opera singer Andreas Schager react during the opening

Most guests were dressed in traditional white ball gowns and suits, but one rather surprisingly wore a monkey mask

Austria’s Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo attended the festivities

Source: Read Full Article