Stalls inaugurated

The pictures of the dress rehearsal for the Opera Ball

Elīna Garanča and Piotr Beczała(Bild: APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)

On Thursday evening it's "All waltz!" again. The State Opera is decorated, the stalls are oiled, tails and evening gowns have been removed and star guests from all over the world have arrived. The dress rehearsal was also a success. So the party is ready, nothing stands in the way of the state gala!

Opera stars Elina Garanca and Piotr Beczala open the 66th Vienna Opera Ball on Thursday. The sold-out ball is the second under the direction of Bogdan Roščić. 

The dress rehearsal for the event of the year was a success and the first pictures have already been published (see below).

Nervousness on the dance floor ...(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

Ballet performance by the young talents(Bild: APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)

Ballet performance(Bild: APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)

Debutante couples(Bild: APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)

View into the ballroom(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

Serena Sáenz and Elīna Garanča(Bild: APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)

Elīna Garanča(Bild: APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)

Elīna Garanča and Piotr Beczała(Bild: APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)

The density of politicians and celebrities is also high this year. The head of state is represented this year by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen - who has his Montenegrin counterpart Jakov Milatović as his guest - and Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), who is attending the event with Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.

There will also be no shortage of celebrities - thanks in part to German entrepreneur Markus Deussl: actor Franco Nero, bard Heino and comedian Oliver Pocher with his ex-wife Sandy Meyer-Wölden will be seated in his box.

Opernball "top dog" Richard Lugner is accompanied by Priscilla Presley, the former wife of Elvis Presley. Things are going exceptionally well with his star guest, the American is easy-going and without airs and graces. 

Presley gets on splendidly with Lugner. "He's wonderful and so helpful," she enthuses. He is also impressed by his uncomplicated star guest.(Bild: Andreas Tischler / picturedesk.com)

"It's wonderful in Vienna, I wish I could stay longer," enthuses Presley. Lugner is delighted with his "strong" guest. "She does everything she's told," says the master builder happily.