Budapest Opera Ball Awaits the Guests in 2010 too!

The renewed Budapest Opera Ball, which is the most famous and most awaited event of the Carnival season, is organized for the fifteenth time on February 13, 2010.

Az Opera house is not only the venue of the ball but from this year the host as well

This ball is the ‘ball of balls’, a highlight of the Hungarian as well as the international social calendar, a symbol of the operatic tradition of our country.
In the modern history of the Opera Ball – that means one and a half successful decades up until now – this is the first time the Hungarian State Opera hosts this outstanding event. The organisers aim at enhancing the international prestige of the Opera Ball, making it a „must see” occasion in European social life, a brand of Hungary.

Some numbers in the official program

-Zoltán Mága and his Orchestra
-The Presentation of the Silver Rose  from R. Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier (Ildikó Komlósi, Rita Rácz, conducted by José Cura)
-Soneto IV (José Cura)
-Somos novios (José Cura)
-The Debutantes dance to the Frühlungsstimmen waltz by Johann Strauss II.
-Lippenschweigen from The Merry Widow by Franz Lehár (Ildikó Komlósi, José Cura)
-ExperiDance Dance Company presents the choreography of Sándor Román
-Vampires’ Ball  - excerpts from the musical
-Ungár Dance Band and Old Boys Band

The star guests of this year: José Cura and Ildikó Komlósi guarantee an unforgottable experience.

After the tenor triumvirate of Pavarotti, Domingo and Carréras, the fourth tenor is José Cura, born in Argentina and turned 47 this year.
Appeared in the Placido Domingo International Singing Competition as a winner in 1994. The outstanding tenor lives in Madrid today. Cavaradossi, André Chenier, Samson, Otello: he played only majestic hero roles during his 20 years old career. Cura was offered numerous music director posts, but he successfully resisted the “temptation”. As an opera singer, performed in the most famous operas all over the world.  Works as a conductor and a teacher.
Sang at the opening performance in the Metropolitan, New York in 1999. After Caruso (1902), he is the second tenor in the history of Metropolitan, who debuted at the night of the season opening.

Ildikó Komlósi Graduated in 1984 from the Music Academy and continued her studies in Milan and London. In the same year the Opera House contracted her and became a member until 1994, since then she is a recurring guest artist. Her international career began in 1986 by winning the Pavarotti-singing competition; she debuted in Verdi’s Requiem beside Luciano Pavarotti. She is the recurring guest of the Metropolitan in New York, the Staatsoper in Vienna, La Scala in Milan, the Arena in Verona, the Semperoper in Dresden as well as the Covent Garden in London.

The dinner at the ball

Culinary peculiarities are awaiting the guests too. Renowned chef Lajos Bíró chose the most suitable catering service for the ball. The winner of the tender for the dinner is the Aréna Catering, they are going to serve the menu of Viktor Segal, another renowned and experienced chef in Budapest.

Many rooms – many atmospheres

Special rooms are awaiting the guests:
Zwack Café with jazz music by Babos Band
Törley Coctail Bar at Székely Bertalan Parlour with piano music
Pub next to the Ball Room

Tradition and innovation at the Opera Ball

Once again, the Budapest Opera Ball is putting the emphasis on charity in 2010. A children's day will be held under the auspices of the Budapest Opera House the day after the Opera Ball so that hundreds of disadvantaged children can also enjoy Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel in the magnificent scenario of the Opera Ball.
Previous to the Opera Ball 1000 portions of meal was served to the homeless; free chest X-ray as well as an aid centre were set up in Blaha Lujza Square in association with the Hungarian Maltese Relief Organisation. In this way the Budapest Opera Ball seeks to help and lighten the lives of those in need.

The older generation, retired people can take part in an Opera quiz. The luckiest, who send in the good answers and are picked, get free admission to this beautiful night.

There is another competition organized by a Hungarian newspaper (Blikk) and the Opera, it is call Cinderella. Girls are competing, the four most beautiful are going to be picked and can also join the Opera Ball in the dresses of a renowned designer’s Anita Benes’s, Daalarna dresses.

Tickets

Entrance ticket: 75.000HUF/person
(The price includes entrance, consumption of beverages from the free of charge drink selection, in addition, morsels from the offer.)

Boxes:
200.000HUF/person
250.000HUF/person
325.000HUF/person
(The price includes the consumption of beverages from the free of charge drink selection; 3 course buffet supper served in the boexes with a separate waiter in each box through the night; furthermore the possibility to choose from the á la carte drink selection paid on the spot.)

Dress Code: White Tie.

For more information please visit the official site of the Budapest Opera Ball.
For ticket reservation, visit or call the Organising Bureau of the Opera Ball:
H-1065 Budapest Hajós u. 13-15.
Tel: 00-36-1/302-3906
Fax: 00-36-1/302-5861
E-mail: [email protected]