Juristenball

Tradition with a twist:
The Ball of Legal Professionals

TEXT: MARILENA STRACKE | PHOTO © APA/LUDWIG SCHEDL

On 2 March 2019, the legendary Viennese ‘Juristenball’ takes place in the historic state rooms of the Imperial Palace (Hofburg), the former residence of Austria´s emperors. This year, the motto for the spectacular event is ‘Tradition with a twist’, which aims to keep with tradition, but also to incorporate new aspects.

The traditional Ball of Legal Professionals was first held more than 200 years ago and has been hosted by the Association of Legal Professionals since 1956. The Hofburg Vienna is the ideal place to host this glamorous ball night and the versatile programme ensures that there is the right music and place to cater to every guest’s individual taste.

Aside from the traditional quadrille, which will be held in the main ballroom at 0.30am and 2am, star entertainer Gregor Glanz will introduce some swing to the ball with his midnight show accompanied by the Pepe Allstar Band. The classic ‘Ziehrer − Hofball Orchestra’ will play the melodies of Strauss and the other famous waltz composers to invite the guests to the dance floor.

The grand ball opens with the entrance of the guests of honour, followed by the female novice dancers in their wonderful white dresses and hairpieces as well as the debutant young men in black ties, guided by Professor Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer.

Soprano Maria Nazarova from the Vienna State Opera will sing the famous aria of the doll ‘Olympia’ from Hoffmanns Erzählungen as an homage to Jacques Offenbach (whose 200th birthday will be celebrated in 2019), continued by a presentation of Offenbach´s Can Can by the Europaballet St.Pölten.

Throughout different rooms, guests can enjoy a great variety of music: jazzy Mr.O & Co will perform in the Künstlerzimmer, the well-known Sunshine Band will present popular music at the Zeremoniensaal, while Italian singer Aaron Paris will host the Forum, and Lou Gerstbach and her band can be heard at the Ritterstube. The ‘Heuriger’, meanwhile, will provide that lovely Viennese atmosphere with wine and traditional Viennese music.

A magnificent royal ambiance, wonderful flower arrangements, marvellous music, international guests, beautiful ball gowns and elegant suits will make this year´s elite ‘Juristenball’ one of the most unforgettable and truly fabulous nights of 2019. A fairytale event you simply cannot miss.

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