Dresden celebrates ball night of the year

Dresden dances: the Semper Opera Ball has once again attracted many celebrities to the world-famous opera house. Quiz presenter Günther Jauch walked the red carpet on Friday evening, as did actress Iris Berben, her colleague Christian Friedel and singer Stefanie Hertel. While the ball guests celebrated inside in tuxedos and evening gowns under the motto “Film ab!”, many onlookers followed the action on the Theaterplatz by the outdoor stage. The organizers had announced that more than 10,000 guests were expected in and in front of the opera.

The artists on the program were cellist Anastasia Kobekina, tenor Jonathan Tetelman and the Sächsische Staatskapelle conducted by Jonathan Darlington. Dick Brave – the rockabilly art figure of pop singer Sasha – and his band were also set to perform. In addition, 100 young dance couples were to enchant the audience with a waltz.

“A night of great emotions”

The evening was hosted by Annika Lau and “Let’s Dance” judge Joachim Llambi. Lau spoke of “a night of great emotions” for which the Semperoper provided a “dream backdrop”. At the ball, donations were collected for the Saxon Children’s Palliative Care Center at Dresden University Hospital, which is dedicated to the care of seriously ill children and young people. The proceeds from flower arrangements, which interested parties could take home for a donation after the ball on Saturday morning in the Schinkelwache, were also intended to benefit the center.

The ball tradition at the Semper Opera House is a long one: the court theater, built according to plans by architect Gottfried Semper between 1871 and 1878, first hosted a ball in February 1925. After eleven editions, the tradition came to an end in 1939. In 2006 – 67 years after the last ball in the old Semper Opera House – a new edition was held in the reconstructed building. The event is organized by a private company.