Opera redoubt

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
View of the ballroom during the opening ceremony of the opera redoute.

The Graz Opera Redoute is a ball and takes place in the Graz Opera House , usually on the last Saturday in January.

meaning

The visitors to the Opera Redoute are a maximum of 2500 people. The target group is top representatives from culture, business, politics and society from all over Austria. The opera redoute generates an important advertising effect for tourism in the city of Graz , for example through the entire added value around the ball.

history

The opera redoute took place for the first time on January 9, 1999. This year the Graz Opera House celebrated its 100th anniversary and the 1st Opera Redoute, as a large ball event, was one of the main components of numerous other events on this occasion. Andrea Skoff was responsible for organizing the first opera redoute. As a result, the then director of the Graz Opera House, Gerhard Brunner, decided to continue the era of ball tradition every year. Between 2000 and 2015, Bernd Pürcher and Michael Tomec were the responsible organizers. Since 2016 Bernd Pürcher has been the organizer, together with director Nora Schmid, responsible for the opera redoute.

organization

The extensive construction work begins on Wednesday night, after the last opera performance before the opera redoute. The most important measures are the renovation work in the auditorium and on the stage. In the opera auditorium, the row seating is removed and a system for a parquet floor with a total area of ​​around 700 m², which connects the stage and auditorium to form one unit, is installed. At the same time, all of the opera's foyers and numerous surrounding rehearsal rooms and other backstage areas will be decorated. Around 10,000 flowers are used for the floral decorations.

All 46 boxes of the house on the ground floor, balcony and tier will be converted and equipped with special tables. Kitchens and cloakrooms will be moved to tents outside the opera. Three additional generator sets will also be installed outside. In the run-up, around 150 people are busy with the construction and around 350 people will work during the opera redoute itself. In the morning of the event, there will be a dress rehearsal and an official inspection of all rooms.

procedure

The neo-baroque architecture of the Graz Opera House gives the opera redoute an impressive setting. The auditorium becomes the center of the event as a ballroom. The grand opening ceremony will take place here at 9.30 p.m. On the one hand, the most important artists of the house are presented alternately, such as different soloists, ballet, ballet school, etc. On the other hand, the 64 couples of the opening committee contest an always very impressive opening polonaise. Three teams of two Styrian dance teachers are responsible for their choreography.

A special show is put on at midnight every year - the midnight highlight. This is followed by two audience quadrilles, moderated by the polonaise choreographers. Numerous ancillary rooms of the Graz Opera House are also part of the opera redoute and are thematically decorated and musically played.

Web links