Opera ball on February 24, 2022? Artists want, opera is on course, but the Federal Chancellor is currently still reluctant.
In view of the Corona numbers, it seems like a mockery to outsiders to talk about whether the Opera Ball should take place on February 24, 2022 or not. However, if you look behind the facade, you can see what an enormous economic factor (added value: 15 million euros) is hidden behind it. Logistics and jobs are also aspects, and of course not to be forgotten is the media spectacle that is carried out into the (interested) world.
“We also want a decision at last,” says the Vienna State Opera when you ask what the status quo for the state roller is. We did, exactly as we asked the responsible Federal Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg. You could not “say anything about it yet” to the “Krone” request, it said. Predecessor in office Sebastian Kurz had already made tabula rasa on September 23, 2020 (among other pandemic conditions, of course) and canceled the ball for this year.
Opera: “Strict and sophisticated security concept”
“Based on the current state of affairs, we assume that the Opera Ball will take place. Accordingly, we have been working at full speed for a long time ”, the state opera leadership lets us know in the meantime. And further: “Regardless of the number of participants, a very strict and sophisticated security and prevention concept is planned.”
Side detail: The ORF is still waiting with its full preparations for the “Go” from the State Opera. That in turn has to wait for the final “go” from the Federal Chancellor. So we notice that Mardi Gras is approaching with giant strides.
Opera ball only for vaccinated people?
Meanwhile, a world star comes up with an eloquent announcement: Yes for the Opera Ball, but only for those who have been vaccinated. That voice is heard. We are talking about the Latvian opera star Elina Garanča. The 45-year-old diva invited to her traditional media appointment in the Sacher, in order to stir the drum for her young talent initiative “ZukunftsStimmen” and her “Classic Open Air Summer 2022” and to chat with the assembled journalle.
The “Krone” was particularly interested in the mezzo-soprano opinion on sensitive issues such as the pandemic and its effects on society. Also on the “fine company” that dances at the opera ball. Garanča’s point of view (she opened in 2011): “The people who are vaccinated should also be rewarded. The artists too. I am vaccinated as well, and I have not grown horns or wings from the vaccination. ”She would plead for the opera ball to take place,“ and anyone who does not want to live in society and does not want to accept certain norms is then excluded ”.