Dear friends! This coming Sunday, April 19, at the Voskhod theater and concert hall of our Sunday school, the Easter Youth Ball will be held - the second ball in the history of our parish.

On the eve of this event, we offer you material about the history of balls in Russia and about modern traditions ballroom etiquette.

Word ball came to Russian from German - in translation it means ball. What is the connection between the ball and the dance evening? It turns out it's straight. In the old days in Germany, there was such a custom: on Easter, rural girls with songs went around the houses of their girlfriends who got married over the past year. Each of them was given a ball stuffed with wool or down, and the young woman, as a return gift, had to arrange refreshments and dances for all the youth of the village, hiring musicians at her own expense. How many newlyweds were in the village, so many balls were given, or balls - that is, parties with dances.

in Russia until the end of the 17th century. nothing like balls existed - they appeared with us only in the era of the transformations of Peter the Great. In 1718, by decree of the emperor, assemblies were established - evenings for the nobles with refreshments, dances, games and conversations. Several decades passed, and in all state higher and secondary educational institutions, dance became a compulsory subject. It was also studied in Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, and in modest vocational and commercial schools.

Pretty soon, the dance culture of Russia reached a remarkable development: already in the time of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, the balls of the Russian court were famous throughout Europe. The famous choreographer Lande used to say that nowhere did they dance the minuet with greater expressiveness and decency than in Russia. This is all the more likely that the empress herself danced excellently and was especially distinguished in the minuet and the “Russian dance”. AT late XVIII – early XIX centuries, our compatriots not only perfectly knew all the latest and old ballroom dancing, but they knew how to perform them in a special, noble manner inherent in the Russian school. Petersburg and Moscow gradually became the most significant choreographic centers in Europe.

Balls were such an important part of noble life that all other leisure was subordinated to preparation for them, and music and dance were considered an important part of noble education - along with foreign languages and math! Together with horseback riding, fencing and gymnastics, dancing was considered to be a “beneficial bodily exercise”, which, in combination with music, contributes to the harmonious development of the personality. In secular society, it was generally accepted to associate the appearance of a person with his moral qualities. In this respect special meaning acquired dance lessons, "for just as moral philosophy shapes a person for noble actions, so moral dances lead young people to an attractive hostel."

Dancing was mastered with early childhood from the age of five or six. The training was more like the tough training of an athlete, and the trained dancers were characterized by agility and confidence, grace in movements, ease and endurance. It was, as they say, “in the blood” and from an early age gave noble offspring majesty, grace and the ability to behave with dignity and beauty in almost any situation. One of the largest Russian choreographers A.P. Glushkovsky, for example, noted: “The main advantage of the old dance teachers was that they kept the student for a long time on the minuet, because this dance straightens the figure, teaches you to bow deftly, walk straight, gracefully stretch out your hand - in a word, makes all the movements and pleasant manners." “To lose time”, that is, to lose the dance, was considered shameful - sometimes such a mistake at the ball could cost the gentleman a career.

Aristocratic balls were held in huge magnificent halls, surrounded on three sides by columns and lit by many wax candles in crystal chandeliers and wall candlesticks. In the middle of the hall they danced continuously, and on elevated platforms on two sides of the hall, against the wall, there were many open card tables, at which they played cards, contemplated the dancers and philosophized. The musicians were placed at the front wall on long benches set up by the amphitheater (dances only under the piano and in a simpler society were not considered a ball). Often the ball also included additional entertainment: a small concert of specially invited artists or amateurs - singers and musicians - from among the guests, live pictures or even an amateur performance.

The balls were held according to a certain traditional program clearly approved in the noble society, the core of which, of course, was dancing. In the 18th century it was customary to open a ball Polish dance , or polonaise that replaced the old minuet.

Polonaise came into fashion under Catherine II. It lasted approximately 30 minutes, and all those present had to take part in it: this dance is quite simple, everyone can do it - two steps and on the third squats, bows and curtsies. It looked like a solemn procession - it was not for nothing that foreigners called the polonaise "walking conversation."

Further on the ball schedule followed contradance, or quadrille. Here, already older people preferred to go to their rooms and sit down at the cards, leaving the dances to the younger ones. In the 18th century, contradance was a kind of performance at balls - four couples from the highest nobility were specially selected to dance it. They prepared in advance, there were complex figures in the dance, couples changed ladies and gentlemen.

The next dance was waltz, about which A.S. Pushkin wrote: "Monotonous and insane, Like a young whirlwind of life, A noisy whirlwind of a waltz spins, Couple flickers after couple".

The waltz is really a bit monotonous, as it consists of the same constantly repeating movements, but Russian dancers were able to dance "flying, almost airy waltzes."

Mazurka- this is the middle of the ball. She "came" to Russia from Paris in 1810. The lady in the mazurka walks smoothly, gracefully, gracefully, glides and runs along the parquet, while the partner makes entreche jumps, during which he must kick three times in the air. Skillful tapping with heels gave the mazurka a unique chic. In the 20s of the 19th century, the mazurka began to be performed in a more relaxed manner, during this dance, conversations were allowed between the partners.

At the end of the ball they performed a French dance cotillion. It was a dance-game, playful and laid-back. The gentlemen in this dance either kneeled in front of the lady, then bounced off her, then jumped over a scarf or a card ...

For most of the dances, gentlemen invited ladies in advance, writing down their name in a special book of the person with whom they wanted to dance.

In addition to those mentioned, there were other ancient dances at the balls - gavottes, quadrilles, polkas. Everything depended on fashion and the tastes of the organizers.

During the XVIII-XIX centuries. balls became more and more firmly part of Russian everyday life and soon ceased to be an accessory only to the noble way of life, penetrating into all strata of the urban population. Some ballroom dancing, for example quadrille, in the 19th century they danced even in the villages.

According to the tradition that has developed in Russia, it was not customary to arrange balls, like other crowded entertainments, during the period of great fasts, especially Great Lent, as well as during mourning. A mention of this can be found in "Woe from Wit" by A.S. Griboyedov:

... home friends will come
Dance to the piano.
We are in mourning, so you can’t give a ball.

And elsewhere:

Balls can not be given richer,
From Christmas to Lent
And summer holidays in the country.

Indeed, traditionally the ball season lasted from Christmas (December 25, old style) until the last day of Shrove Tuesday. During the rest of the year, balls were rarely held, on special occasions.

The most formal variety was court balls, rather prim and often boring. Since the time of Empress Anna Ioannovna, imperial birthdays, anniversaries of accession to the throne and coronation, weddings, birthdays and name days of members of the monarch’s family, order days, victories, peace, Christmas, Easter, New Year. Big balls were appointed in honor of the reception of noble guests - members royal families as well as on important political occasions. They were attended by thousands of guests. Participation in court balls was mandatory for those invited - only a serious illness could get rid of it. In addition to the emperor, empress and members royal family- Grand dukes, princesses and princesses - there were various court ranks, as well as diplomats, civil officials who had four upper classes according to the "Table of Ranks", all generals living in St. Petersburg, governors and leaders of the nobility, noble foreigners visiting Russia. Guards officers were also obliged to go to court balls - two people from each regiment. For this, there were special schedules - orders that helped to follow the order. Officers were invited specifically as dance partners. All family men had to come with their wives and adult daughters. In some cases, representatives of the wealthy merchants were also invited to the court.

Ball is a real find
For young dandies and for ladies;
A beauty awaits him with delight,
It is a holiday for cloudy fathers.
So that the daughter dressed like a doll,
An experienced mother is busy,
And so that she does not sit up,
Take her to dance. (F. Koni)

Men were supposed to come to court balls in full dress uniform, with awards; for ladies, dresses of a special style, richly embroidered with gold thread, were also installed.

Representatives of the noblest and richest families of St. Petersburg and Moscow gave high society balls. It was they who most fully expressed the style of a particular ballroom era. Particularly magnificent were the high society balls of the second half of the 18th and the first half of XIX century. They were also crowded, but in moderation - up to three thousand invited. Guests were convened at the choice of the owners of the house from among their friends, relatives and high-society acquaintances. Often members of the imperial family also came, but without any officiality - just to visit.

It was possible to refuse to participate in such balls, apologizing to the hosts, and go somewhere else, but they did it infrequently: such balls were considered very prestigious, and the hosts vied with each other and tried to outdo each other and surprise guests with various ideas, gourmet dinner and luxury ballroom decorations. Thousands of candles burned in the halls, which was then the main sign of a great holiday: candles were expensive, and in everyday life the rooms were lit very sparingly. The stairs were covered with expensive carpets, tropical plants in tubs crowded everywhere; fragrant water flowed from specially arranged fountains; spread the fragrant smoke of the incense burner. Dinner was served with pineapples, rare in Russia at that time, peaches, exotic in winter, grapes, fresh strawberries, huge fish, expensive wines from all over the world. At such balls, secular debuts of young people and girls, who began to be taken out into the world, most often took place.

Many varieties had public balls. They were given especially often in the provinces: in the buildings of the Noble or City Assembly, in theaters, various clubs, in the residences of governors and in halls rented in the homes of private individuals. As a rule, the circle of participants was wide and varied: officials, military men, landowners, teachers... Funds for such balls were collected by subscription (jointly), or tickets were sold for them, which anyone could buy. Public balls were arranged not only by the nobility, but also by merchants, artisans, artists or performers.

Family balls were usually the most cheerful and relaxed. They were timed to family holidays, invited relatives and close friends - as a rule, several dozen people.

Charity balls were also singled out in the ballroom hierarchy, for which tickets were sold, and charity trade was organized in the halls. For this, small, elegantly decorated pavilions and tents were built, in which volunteer ladies sold fruits, flowers, sweets and various trinkets. There were no fixed prices; each paid as much as he could or wanted. All proceeds from the ball went to the benefit of some orphanage, educational institution affected by natural disasters. A similar ball is described, for example, in the story of A.P. Chekhov "Anna on the neck".

There were, finally, rural holidays, given in the summer at dachas and country estates. They included, besides the ball, concerts of horn music, fireworks, boat rides ... Here they often danced right under open sky- on the lawns, or in huge tents set up among the trees of the park.

The rules of ballroom etiquette, changing somewhat from era to era, have basically remained unchanged for centuries, many of them are quite suitable for today. First of all, remember: dignity, honor, beauty - these are the first words that are associated with the word "ball". The style of behavior of gentlemen and ladies is the gallantry and sophistication of the manner of communication.

For gentlemen, a formal suit is required, possibly with a vest, tie or bow tie, good shoes. For ladies - a ball or evening long dress, beautifully styled hair. Recommended for young girls bright hues dresses and simple jewelry. Pretentiousness, pretensions to luxury or indiscretion (for example, deep necklines) should be avoided. Married ladies can afford a richer choice in the style of dresses, their colors, as well as in the quantity jewelry. The ideal ballroom shoes are soft shoes, mostly without a heel. The use of cosmetics is kept to a minimum.

Ball gown provided for - and now allows - immaculately white gloves. For ladies, they should be kid or silk, often above the elbow. Cavaliers in civilian clothes have kid coats, the "military" ones have suede ones.

Any dance begins with the invitation of a lady. The gentleman should do this as elegantly and gallantly as possible: it is best to start with a compliment and greet the lady with a slight tilt of the head. If the lady agrees to dance, she also bows and, together with the gentleman, goes to the dance floor. If a lady, in principle, is dancing, and not just present at the ball, it is not customary to refuse the gentleman who invited her.

The moment when the dance ends is very important. After the music has ended, the gentleman and the lady bow to each other (a slight tilt of the head), the gentleman thanks the lady for the wonderful dance and escorts her to the place in the hall where the lady wishes to stay. There he thanks again and bows, the lady also bows to him, and only after that the gentleman is considered free.

If you are at a ball for the first time and have never danced, feel free to dance every new one - even those that you hear about for the first time in your life. But at the same time, choose a place for dancing wisely. As a rule, the movement of most dances takes place in a circle, around the perimeter of the hall, counterclockwise. Don't step on this line if you don't know the dance. This is especially true for fast waltzes: the couples in this dance move at great speed, and they will be very grateful to you if you give them a place. Couples who do not know how to dance should dance in the center of the hall, where there is no active promotion of other dancers. Please don't lean too close to the edges of the hall if you're dancing in place.

There are also common dances at the ball. When a common dance is announced, for example, a polonaise or padegras, you need to invite a lady to dance and take a place in the hall, focusing on how the other couples got up. Most often, couples become in a circle. Then you just have to repeat the dance movements after the instructor-organizer of the ball or after other couples who know this dance.

And most importantly, be polite and careful on the dance floor. Even if you bump into someone, apologize simply and calmly, remembering your human dignity. But it is still better to avoid collisions: if you see that there are already a lot of couples on the site, take your lady for a walk, entertain her with a pleasant conversation, treat her to something tasty at the buffet.

Loud laughter, noisy squabbles, immodest glances, disdain, coquetry - in general, everything that is at odds with the laws of beauty and decency should be avoided with special care. Remember that the art of communication is no less important at the ball than the ability to dance well.

The writing of balls is found in many texts of Russian literature. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, balls were not just entertainment, but also a place for informal communication, a place where a young lower-ranking officer who knows how to dance and entertain ladies could feel superior to an aging general, and men and women could talk to each other without fear of gossip in society. We have collected the most famous descriptions of balls in Russian classics and tried to analyze what in question in one episode or another.

The Moscow ball of 1810, which became the debut for Natasha Rostova, is the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to balls in literature. This episode is remembered primarily for its emotional intensity, where the motives of expectation, disappointment and joy are mixed. Meanwhile, in addition to describing Natasha's feelings, Leo Tolstoy gives in War and Peace quite interesting details of the ballroom ritual of the 19th century, starting with the fact that the ball opened with a polonaise, which, after the Great french revolution supplanted the minuet, which was considered the premiere dance, and ending with the order in which the dances were arranged: polonaise, mazurka, waltz ...

By the way, it was for the waltz - a dance that was considered indecent among the youth and among the older generation - that the debutante Natasha was invited.

A little more about polonaises. Tolstoy points out that Emperor Alexander I led the mistress of the house in this dance, which fully corresponded to ballroom etiquette. If the autocrat opened a court ball, then the eldest (by the position of her husband) invited guest became his partner. In the case of Alexander I, it was often his daughter-in-law, Alexandra Feodorovna. Keep this in mind if you come across “Eugene Onegin”, which is not included in the final text, but also very known description bala.

Lalla-Ruk is the nickname of pretty Alexandra Feodorovna, which she received after the publication of Zhukovsky's poem of the same name, and the king here, of course, is Alexander, and not Nikolai, as some commentators on Alexander Pushkin's novel mistakenly believed.

In War and Peace, after the polonaise, the orchestra played the mazurka, one of the most important dances of the evening. Like the polonaise, this dance originated in Poland and became popular at European balls. At the beginning of the century, the ability to dance the mazurka, especially among gentlemen who had solo parts, was a kind of marker of good education. By the 30s of the 19th century, dandyism came into fashion, young men began to neglect dance in general, but the same Eugene Onegin "danced the mazurka easily." This Pushkinian remark proves that his character's "spleen" at the beginning of the novel is half fake.

Often, during the performance of this dance, fateful explanations took place between young men and girls, impossible in any other situation. It was the mazurka that Kitty Shcherbatskaya, the heroine of Anna Karenina, hoped for.

Part of the mazurka was the game of choosing a partner. In "Eugene Onegin" this episode of the dance served as the beginning of the conflict between Onegin and Lensky.

Sometimes such a choice was associated with guessing some qualities, and not only boys, but also girls could choose.

The ball usually ended with a cotillion - a cheerful dance-game that combined elements of a waltz, mazurka, gallop and many other dances.

A special phenomenon in Russia XIX- the beginning of the 20th century there was a provincial ball. And if in large cities balls were the privilege of the nobles, then in the provinces all status residents of the city became guests. A description of provincial high society can be found in Nikolai Gogol's Dead Souls.

In the 18th century, the evolution of masquerades took place: from a square spectacle, in which the holy fools and people with physical disabilities most often participated, it turns into an exquisite holiday. However, the audience, unlike the ball, was still very different here. We see a hint of this in

Ball is always a holiday. Bright, colorful, sparkling, cheerful. And this holiday has always been desired and loved in Russia.

Balls were given all year round, but the season began in late autumn and lasted all winter period. Often in one evening I had to attend two or three balls, which required considerable strength, besides, many balls ended in the morning, and the next day it was necessary to make visits and prepare for the upcoming amusements.

Balls and masquerade balls were divided into class, professional, age categories, timed to coincide with special celebrations, and were court, public, private, merchant, wedding, children's ...

Balls of the Nobility Assembly, balls of artists and balls held by foreign embassies, merchant balls were popular at one time.

History of balls in Russia

The first ball in Russia took place in Moscow at the wedding of False Dmitry and Marina Mnishek.
Peter I resumed the balls, and since then they have become loved and revered both in the capitals and in the provinces Russian Empire.
Peter's assemblies became the prototype of future balls. The assemblies were gatherings with dances. Assemblies began to be held in St. Petersburg and Moscow as early as 1717 in the homes of the Russian nobility.

Assemblies served not only as a means of entertainment - "for fun", but also a place "for reasoning and friendly conversations."

Then, during the reign of Anna Ioannovna, Elizabeth Petrovna and Catherine II, assemblies completely supplanted balls and masquerade balls.

A ball is a solemn public or secular event, the main component of which is a dance program.

Therefore, since the 18th century, dance has become a compulsory subject in all higher and secondary educational institutions, schools and boarding schools. It was studied at the royal lyceum and at modest vocational and commercial schools, at the gymnasium and at the cadet school.

In Russia, they not only perfectly knew all the latest and old ballroom dances, but also knew how to perfectly perform them. The dance culture of Russia in the 19th century stood at a high level.

Ballroom dress code

The ball has its own ceremonial and rules of conduct, which makes it so majestic and luxurious. All this allowed to maintain sophistication and attractiveness.

It was customary to come to the ball dressed smartly. Cavaliers - in a tailcoat pair, tuxedo or suit (depending on specific requirements and conditions), white shirt and vest. By the way, tailcoats were of different colors, only by the end of the 30s of the XIX century the fashion for black was established.

White gloves were an obligatory item of the gentlemen's toilet. The civilians wore kid gloves, and the military wore suede gloves.
Moreover, according to the rules, the lady had every right to refuse the gentleman without gloves. Therefore, it was better to come to the ball in black gloves than no gloves at all.

The costumes of civilian cavaliers depended little on fashion and were recommended to be sewn in classical forms.

The military came in dress uniforms corresponding to their regiments.

Cavaliers came to the ball in boots. Ballroom boots were also worn by the military, and only uhlans were allowed to wear boots. The presence of spurs was not approved. The fact is that the spurs tore the dresses during the dance. But some lancers broke this rule for the sake of panache.

Ladies and girls dressed in dresses according to fashion. As a rule, the dress was sewn for one ball and only in extreme cases was used twice.

Ladies could choose any color for the dress, unless otherwise specified. For example, on January 24, 1888, an emerald ball was held in St. Petersburg, at which all those present were dressed in the appropriate color.

Dresses were sewn for girls white color or pastel colors - blue, pink and ivory, that is, ivory.

Gloves to match the dress or white were selected for the dress. By the way, wearing rings over gloves was considered bad manners.

Ladies could adorn themselves with a headdress.

The cut of ball gowns depended on fashion, but one thing remained unchanged in it - an open neck and shoulders.

With such a cut of the dress, neither a lady nor a girl could appear in society without jewelry around the neck - a chain with a pendant or a necklace. That is, something had to be worn necessarily.

Ladies' jewelry could be anything - the main thing is that they are chosen with taste. Girls were supposed to appear at balls with a minimum amount of jewelry, for example, with a pendant around their neck or a modest bracelet.

An important component of the ladies' ball costume was the fan, which served not so much to create a fresh breath, but as a language of communication, now almost lost.

Recovering to the ball, the lady took with her a ballroom book - carne or agenda - where, opposite the list of dances, she entered the names of gentlemen who wanted to dance this or that dance with her. Sometimes, instead of an agenda, it could be used back side fans. It was considered excessive coquetry to brag about your completed agenda, especially to those ladies who were rarely invited.

Rules of conduct at the ball

By accepting the invitation to come to the ball, everyone thus assumed the obligation to dance. Refusing to participate in dances, as well as showing discontent or making it clear to a partner that you dance with him only out of necessity, was considered a sign of bad taste. And vice versa, it was considered a sign of good education at the ball to dance with pleasure and without coercion, regardless of the partner and his talents.

At a ball, more than at any other social event, a cheerful and amiable expression is appropriate. To show at the ball that you are not in a good mood or are dissatisfied with something is inappropriate and impolite in relation to those having fun.
Starting conversations with acquaintances before paying tribute to the owners was considered indecent. At the same time, not greeting acquaintances (even with a nod of the head) was also unacceptable.

There was a special culture of invitation to dance at the balls. An invitation to a dance was allowed in advance, both before the ball itself and at the ball. At the same time, it was considered impolite if a lady arrived at the ball promising more in advance. first three dancing.

In the ballroom, order and dancing are supervised by the manager of the ball.
During the ball, gentlemen should monitor the comfort and convenience of the ladies: bring drinks, offer help. The gentleman had to make sure that his lady was not bored.
Talking at a ball is certainly permissible. At the same time, it is not recommended to touch on complex and serious topics, as well as to gather a large company around you.

Buffoonery is not appropriate at balls. Even gentlemen who have a too cheerful disposition are advised to behave with dignity at the ball. Quarrels and quarrels between gentlemen are highly discouraged during the ball, but if disagreements arise, then it is recommended to resolve them outside dance hall. Ladies are the main decoration of any ball. Therefore, it behooves them to behave affably and nicely. Loud laughter, slander, bad humor can cause disapproval of a decent society. The behavior of the ladies at the ball should be distinguished by modesty, the expression of extreme sympathy for any gentleman can give rise to condemnation.

Most of all, any manifestations of jealousy on the part of ladies and gentlemen are inappropriate at the ball. On the other hand, immodest looks and defiant behavior that provokes other participants in the ball are also unacceptable.

Dancing

According to the rules, the gentleman began the invitation to dance with the hostess of the house, then all her relatives followed, and only then it was the turn to dance with their familiar ladies.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the ball opened with a polonaise, where in the first pair the host walked with the most honored guest, in the second pair - the hostess with the most honored guest.
At the end of the 19th century, the ball began with a waltz, but court, children's and merchant balls opened with a majestic polonaise.

Throughout the 19th century, the number of dances that a gentleman could dance with one lady during a ball changed. So at the beginning of the century this number was equal to one, and already in the 1880s two or three dances were allowed, not following one after another in a row. Only the bride and groom could dance more than three dances. If the gentleman insisted on more than expected number of dances, the lady refused, not wanting to compromise herself.

During the dance, the gentleman entertained the lady with light secular conversation, while the lady answered modestly and laconic.
The cavalier's duties also included preventing collisions with other couples and preventing his lady from falling.

At the end of the dance, the gentleman asked the lady where to take her: to the buffet or to the place where he took her from. After exchanging mutual bows, the gentleman either left, or could remain next to the lady and continue the conversation for some time.

As a rule, after the mazurka, the gentleman led the lady to the table for dinner, where they could talk and even confess their love.
Everyone had dinner in the side parlors, at small tables.
In addition, a buffet was always open at the balls with various dishes, champagne, a large selection of hot and cold drinks.

At the beginning of the century, the ball ended with a cotillion or Greek dance, and from the second half of the 19th century, the ball program was completed, as a rule, by a waltz.
The guests could leave whenever they liked, without focusing on their departure - but over the next few days, the invitee paid the hosts a grateful visit.

"The history of the balls of imperial Russia" - not only historical research, but also the first recent history ball organizing guide

Text: Sergey Shulakov
Cover and illustrations provided by Tsentrpoligraf publishing house

The first ball in Russia was arranged by False Dmitry I: Stanislav Mnishk's orchestra played at his wedding feast, and after the meal the guests danced. But the tradition did not stick. Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor Oksana Zakharova, in the study "The History of the Ball Ceremonial in Russia", included in the collection "History of the Balls of Imperial Russia", explains: “The very conduct of ceremonials by the impostor, unprecedented before at the Russian court, was a challenge to society”. Balls, or assemblies, Peter I had to enter in an administrative way. The tsar simplified the task as much as possible, the decree of 1718 specifically stipulated: “The owner is not obliged to meet or see off the guests or to worry about anything for them; but he must have something to put them on, something to chew on them and something to light the rooms with ... ”. Now we would consider such behavior of the person we came to visit as very impolite - but Peter understood the “European treatment” this way ...
Balls later evolved into complex system. The so-called quiet balls were popular. It happened that the birthday girl decided to arrange such a “quiet”, that is, without an announcement and invitations, a ball, and everyone who stopped by to congratulate her during the day received an invitation from the valet. “In the evening, all of Moscow came to the “quiet ball” to A. S. Nebolsina. Crews stretched along both sides of Povarskaya to the Arbat Gates. The birthday girl knew how to receive guests: whether it was the commander-in-chief or a student, a bow to everyone, an affectionate word to everyone. Do what you want - play, talk, be silent, walk, sit, “just don't argue too loudly and with vehemence; this is what the hostess is afraid of.”
In the 1840s, at the St. Petersburg balls, in imitation of the Paris ones, the word "socialite" was first heard. Among the ladies there were fanatical admirers of the balls. One of them, in response to a warning that dancing all night long could affect the appearance, answered: “But what do I need beauty? I am married and do not intend to seduce anyone. A year before, a year later, but still it will be necessary to grow ugly ... Until the time has passed, I will jump in and have fun, and then I will take up moralizing to my children.
Secular and ballroom life in the study of Oksana Zakharova intersects with literary life. Alexandra Kirillovna Vorontsova-Dashkova, one of the lionesses of the St. Petersburg world, became a widow, married a Frenchman, Baron de Poyly, and soon died. It was reported that the Frenchman had poisoned a wealthy Russian princess, and Nekrasov, who did not shy away from social life, wrote a poem:

…Here came the denouement. Cool changed
Doctor speculator: a despot has appeared!
Money, diamonds - all put in scams,
And he tyrannized his wife, was jealous beyond measure.
And when the poor thing fell ill with grief,
Took her to the hospital ... Visited first,
And then he left - as if he had sunk into the water! ..

These verses almost led to a duel between the poet and the "speculator". The dramatic novel of Mikhail Lermontov and Ekaterina Alexandrovna Sushkova unfolded entirely at the balls, about which Professor Zakharova narrates with downright heartbreaking details. The lover, as usual, is defenseless; after assurances of a passionate feeling, he ceased to notice the lady in love with him, and once in passing said: “I don't love you anymore. Yes, it seems, and never loved ". The behavior is inexplicable, but great poet explained it by the need to obey the conventions of the world, the rank in which depends on how many reputations a person has ruined ...
Costumed balls were held at the court, the last one was organized in 1903, and many participants appeared in the costumes of their ancestors from the time of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich: for example, the costume of Count S. D. Sheremetev repeated the attire of Field Marshal Count B. P. Sheremetev from a portrait in the Kuskovo estate, there were other outfits, accurately reconstructed from old images. This ball became a big event, many well-known photographs were taken, and it is strange that the well-informed Professor Zakharova does not point to Anna Akhmatova and her "Poem without a Hero", the appearance of mysterious masks in which, of course, a reference to the former, luxurious, full hidden meanings ballroom entertainment. Well, the ball also deserves at least a mention.
But the book in some places turns out to be wider than the declared topic, touching on former leisure and entertainment. It turns out that breeding pigeons was originally a Moscow occupation - "did not have merchant's house without pigeon". The character of Muscovites has noticeably deteriorated lately: in the 19th century, "not only rich, but also poor citizens of the Mother See were famous for their hospitality."
Balls also carried political functions. The last official court ball of the Russian Empire took place in the winter of 1904. The guests noticed that the ambassador of the Empire of Japan was absent from it. Further in Zimny ​​there was no time for dancing, but the aristocrats and rich merchants continued to hold balls in their mansions.
The book is supplemented with an insert with colorful illustrations, portraits of secular ladies, drawings from fashion magazines, images of fans ... The second part consists of extensive appendices. This is the reader "Balls in Russian Poetry and Prose", which contains not only well-known excerpts from, poems, but also several poems by Evdokia Rostopchina, who wrote a lot about balls, and Blok's poem "He appeared at a slender ball ...":

He stood up and looked up like an owl,
And he looks - intently - alone,
Where beyond the pale Columbine
The ringing Harlequin fled ...

Here is also a guide to the study of dances, the provisions of ballroom etiquette with descriptions of tailcoats, ties for them and ladies' ball gowns; the fact that the military should not appear in boots and with daggers or other ceremonial weapons, apparently, goes without saying. There is even a "Music Album", in which you can find dance compositions by Haydn, Chopin, composers late XIX centuries ... The book is collected with imagination, and even "on the topic of the day", however, a conscientious, serious reference apparatus hangs in it - there are no references in the text, there are few explanations where the quotes come from, and the reader is free to guess about the source to the best of his education or turn to the teacher - the collection bears the stamp: “Recommended by the Department of the History of Russian Literature of the 20th Century, Faculty of Philology, Lomonosov Moscow State University.” Or, perhaps, this is how the calculation is realized for a secular, and therefore, according to the plan of the publishers, a scientific readership, who remembers by heart, for example, “The writings of the valet of Empress Maria Feodorovna A. Stepanov and about court balls in times Alexander III sent".

Zakharova O. “History of Imperial Russia Balls. An amusing trip"

M.: Tsentrpoligraf, 2016. - 510 p.

The Empress was especially fond of masquerades. In addition to big balls and receptions, in the Hermitage masquerades were given at the court every Friday in special halls for the nobility (in the gallery) and for the merchants. These balls often brought together about five hundred masks.

The luxury of the Hermitage holidays, according to contemporaries, often resembled fairy tales. At the famous feast of "Azor, an African nobleman", given by the Empress in honor of the birth of her first grandson, huge monograms, the letter "A" (Alexander) made of real diamonds and pearls, were depicted in the halls of the palace. It should not be assumed that masquerades were so popular in high society that they supplanted other festivities, including balls. At court, a ball was held every Sunday. L. Engelhardt's remark that the empress followed the festivities in the same accompaniment as she went to church is interesting. Before entering the hall, Ekaterina Alekseevna introduced herself and kissed the lady's hand.

The ball opened with a minuet: the Grand Duke with the Grand Duchess, followed by courtiers and guard officers in ranks no lower than colonel. The most common dances were "Polish" and contradances. “Ladies had to be in Russian dresses, that is, a special cut of ceremonial dresses, and to reduce luxury there was a kind of women's uniforms according to the colors assigned to the provinces. Cavaliers all had to be in shoes. All the nobility had the right to be at these balls, not excluding non-commissioned officers of the guard, only in noble uniforms ”. The Empress sat down to play cards with pre-selected partners who were invited by chamber pages. The Grand Duke also played, but at a separate table. After about two hours the music stopped. The empress bowed and left the ball, and after her all the guests hurried to leave. Grand Duke Pavel Petrovich gave balls on Mondays in St. Petersburg, and on Saturdays on Kamenny Island. The court footman delivered personal invitations to the Grand Duke. In addition, each regiment of the guard sent two officers to the holiday.

Despite all the splendor of the balls of the imperial court, the holidays of the nobles of that time were often not inferior to the latter. And not only balls, but also family evenings were distinguished by luxury and solemnity. “The way of life of the nobles was hospitable, according to the wealth and rank occupied; almost everyone had dining tables for their acquaintances and subordinates; idle people, leading a bachelor life, found it difficult only to choose someone to dine with or spend an evening with pleasantness ”.

The Russian court reached its apogee under Catherine II. The luxury that reigned at the court served as an infectious example for the metropolitan society. All high society was fond of the theater, and young people willingly staged home performances. Entire groups of high society amateurs were formed; the theaters of Princess Dolgorukova, Countess Golovnina, in the Apraksins' house are known. With the construction of the building of the Noble Assembly, Moscow will become famous for its balls throughout Russia. Every year, on the eve of Christmas, the landlords of the neighboring provinces of Moscow with their families set off from the villages to Moscow, accompanied by long carts with piglets, geese, chickens, cereals, flour and butter. Zamoskvorechye hospitably welcomed the long-awaited owners of unpretentiously cleaned houses overgrown with gardens, the owners of which did not strive for close communication with their neighbors, if they did not belong to the same province.

On Thursdays everyone joined in big circle Noble Assembly: “Here they will see state ladies with portraits, maids of honor with monograms, and how many ribbons, how many crosses, how many rich clothes and diamonds. There is something to talk about in the county for nine months! And all this with surprise, without envy: they admired the height of the nobility, inaccessible to them, like a traveler, the brilliant peak of Elbrus.

The Moscow holidays of 1787, when Russia celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the accession of the empress to the throne, remained in the memory of contemporaries for a long time. The ball in the congregation exceeded all expectations. Here are the memoirs of E.P. Yankova: “The ball was the most brilliant and such a ceremonial one, which at the present time cannot be: ladies and girls are all in dresses or gold and silver, or embroidered with gold, silver, there are a lot of stones for everyone; and men, too, in embroidered caftans with lace and stones. The best company was allowed into the meeting by tickets; but there were many. The Empress was also in a silver dress, small in stature, but so majestic and at the same time merciful to everyone, which is difficult to imagine..

The nobles did not lag behind the court either. The masquerades of Naryshkin and the receptions of Count Sheremetev were striking in their splendor.

It was not easy to impress the people of that time with anything.

All the more remarkable is the feast of His Serene Highness Prince Potemkin, which he arranged in honor of Catherine the Great in the Tauride Palace. Thousands of artists spent several weeks preparing the celebration, the officers were instructed to deliver three thousand invitation cards. By May 9, everything was ready. After the performance at the theater, Potemkin invited the imperial family to follow to the Winter Garden.

The description of it is so fantastic that it is worth citing the recollection of an eyewitness to these events: “A verdant sod slope led the way, lined with blossoming orange trees. There were visible woods, along the latticework around which roses and jasmines twined, filling the air with incense. Nests of nightingales and other singing birds were visible in the bushes.<…>The stoves, of which quite a few were needed for this winter garden, were hidden behind a multitude of mirrors, of the same size and extraordinary price. On the paths of this garden and on small sod mounds, vases made of the same stone, but of a different color, were visible on the marble bases.<…>. In the grass stood great balls of the best glass, filled with water, in which gold and silver fish swam.

In the middle of the garden stood a temple, the dome of which rested on eight pillars of white marble. Steps made of gray marble led them to a kind of altar, which served as a foot to the figure of the Empress, carved from white marble, holding a cornucopia, from which order crosses and money poured. On the altar there was an inscription: "To the mother of the fatherland and to my benefactor." Behind the temple was a gazebo, the inner walls of which consisted of mirrors. On the day of the feast, the outer grilles were decorated with lamps in the form of apples, pears and grapes. All the windows of the garden on the day of the holiday were covered with artificial palm and orange trees, the leaves and fruits of which also represented lamps. In various parts of the garden there were lamps in the form of melons, watermelons, pineapples and grapes. Between the temple and the arbor there was a mirror pyramid, on top of which the name of the empress shone. Nearby stood other, smaller pyramids, on which the monograms of the heir to the throne, his wife and both grand dukes burned with purple and green lights. Contemporaries pointed out that in total that evening the palace was lit by 20,000 wax candles and 140,000 lamps. When the ball began, the Empress and the Grand Duchess sat down to play cards until half past eleven at night. During dinner served in theater hall, all the tables were illuminated with balls of white and colored glass; in other living rooms of the palace, tables were set with dishes made of the best silver and porcelain. Waiters, dressed in court liveries and Potemkin's liveries, served gourmet treats to the guests. After dinner, a ball followed, which lasted until the morning.

Over time, the Potemkin holiday will become a kind of standard that many will imitate, but, as contemporaries said, it was not possible to repeat such magic. The first ball of the heir Pavel Petrovich took place December 11th 1765. “Today his V-va has the first ball; never happened before. Having dressed, the Tsarevich read with His Reverend Fr. Plato Holy Scripture; then he deigned to go to church. Returning from church, he sat down to eat. After dinner, at six o'clock, those invited to the ball gathered. He deigned to open the ball with his maid of honor A.A. Khitrova. They danced in that room where the Cavalry Guards stand on the clock, because in half of his V-va there is not a single room that is quite spacious for that. At the beginning of the tenth hour the ball ended; everyone departed, and the Tsarevich sat down to eat. I was very pleased with this evening; danced and talked a lot with his beloved ... ”- recalled the tutor of the heir S. Poroshin. Two weeks passed, and on December 25, at Christmas, Pavel Petrovich was invited to the Empress, who by six o'clock had gathered all the ladies-in-waiting and many gentlemen. After various games, dances began, first Russian, then Polish, minuets and contradances.

At this time, seven ladies in charming outfits came out of the inner chambers of the Empress - they were wearing jackets, skirts, caps, only a headscarf was on the head of one of them. Imagine the surprise of the audience when the mysterious strangers turned out to be: G.G. Orlov; Chamberlain A.S. Stroganov; Chamberlain Count N.A. Golovin; Chamberlain P.B. Pasik; ringmaster L.A. Naryshkin; chamber junker M.E. Baskakov; chamber junker prince A.M. Beloselsky, whose head was decorated with the mentioned headscarf. What about the heir? “The sweat almost dripped from His V-va: he took part in these amusements so sincerely!” But life makes its own changes in the character and way of thinking of a person. In a few decades, Emperor Pavel Petrovich would declare a fierce war on round hats, forbid "waltzing", or, as the police order said, "the use of a dance called waltz."

In accordance with romantic ideals era, the slogan "dance must have a soul, express genuine passion, imitate the naturalness of nature" is thrown out. The age of the waltz has begun. One of the first mentions of the waltz in fiction gave Goethe in the novel The Sorrows of Young Werther. In a letter to a friend, Werther talks about meeting Charlotte and how, during a country ball, they danced the minuet, anglaise, country dance and, finally, the waltz. “The dance began, and for some time we made various figures with enthusiasm. How gracefully, oh, how easily she glided! When all the couples began to waltz, there was a hustle and bustle, because few people know how to waltz. We prudently waited for the rest to dance, and when the most inept ones had cleared the place, we entered with another couple ... Never before had I moved so freely. I didn't feel my own body. Think, Wilhelm, - to hold in your arms the most beautiful girl, like a whirlwind to rush about with her, not seeing anything around ... " In 1791, "in Berlin, the fashion for the waltz and only the waltz."

In 1790, the waltz reached France through Strasbourg. One of the French writers was perplexed: “I understand why mothers love the waltz, but how do they allow their daughters to dance it ?!”
In the first decade of the 19th century, it was forbidden in Vienna to waltz for more than ten minutes. The author of an article in The Times newspaper is outraged that this "sensual and obscene dance" was included in the program of the Royal Ball in 1816. The ban on waltz at balls in the palaces of the German Kaisers was lifted only by Wilhelm II upon accession to the throne in 1888. Waltz movements were considered obscene, degrading to the dignity of a woman. The waltz dealt a kind of blow to the code of knightly honor, which was the basis of court etiquette.

At the beginning of the 19th century, the fashion for the waltz was compared to the fashion for smoking tobacco.

The waltz became an expression of the tendencies of bourgeois culture. Having allowed him into their environment, the nobility thereby accepted new rules of behavior, a new style of communication. Consequently, moral principles could not remain unchanged. “Modern youth is so natural that, putting no value on sophistication, they dance waltzes with glorified simplicity and passion”, - wrote Janlis in the Critical and Systematic Dictionary of Court Etiquette.

Years passed. The “mad and wise” 18th century was drawing to a close. Cheerful balls and holidays of the Catherine's era replaced parades and parades. The life of the St. Petersburg court at the beginning of the reign of Alexander Pavlovich could not compete with the splendor of the end of the 18th century. The reason for this was the constant wars, the frequent absence of the emperor, who went either abroad or to other cities of Russia. In the intervals of the military lull, the fun in the capital awakened. The heirs of Catherine's favorites held festivities in the presence of the emperor and the grand dukes, trying not to yield to their fathers either in luxury or ingenuity. The spring of Alexander's reign is the resumption of magnificent festivities in both capitals - St. Petersburg and Moscow. “It is unlikely that Petersburg society has ever been so strongly disposed towards a cheerful and open life, as at the beginning of the reign of Emperor Alexander I”, - recalled. Somewhere in Feliette's, high society allowed itself to be freed from the strictness of etiquette and indulged in carefree gaiety. The older generation, having danced for about five minutes, was going to philosophize and gossip at the card tables, making fun of whist, rocombole or playing ruffles, “pigs are nikitichny” ... From the popular and very gambling in the yurdon went the long-existing expression "to yurdon."

What was Moscow like before 1812? Let's make a mental journey through the Mother See of the early 19th century. After completing their public service, many nobles rested in Moscow, where life was not only more welcoming, but also much cheaper than in St. Petersburg. “The rich throughout the winter alternately gave magnificent balls, luxury in life was not inferior to the petty German princes; with magnificent houses they had churches, art galleries, choirs of singers, orchestras of musicians, house theaters, arenas with rare horses, falconers and dog hunters with a huge number of dogs, cellars filled with old wines ", - recalled the famous choreographer of his time A.P. Glushkovsky. The grandees went to the festivities in gilded carriages with family coats of arms, harnessed by six horses. The coachmen and postilions were in German caftans and three-cornered hats, in one hand the coachman held the reins, and in the other a long whip with which he clicked in the air. At the back of the carriage stood a huntsman in a hat with a feather and an Arab in a turban (or a runner with a tall hussar in a bear's hat). As in the time of Catherine the Great, haiduks (at least three arshins tall) in rich liveries were invited to balls and merchant weddings. Their job was to straighten the wax candles in the chandeliers without the aid of a ladder. During lunch or dinner, when it was time to drink to the health of the guests, the haiduk would appear with a silver tray on which stood "silver gilded goblets", the butler approached him with a bottle of champagne and poured wine into glasses, which the guests drank "to the sound of trumpets and timpani."

Since Catherine's time, a tradition has been preserved in Moscow to bring up little Turkish and Kalmyk women in rich noble families, who, upon reaching adulthood, were given in marriage with a good dowry. Tverskoy Boulevard was a favorite place for walks of Moscow aristocrats. In the evenings, Prince M.V. Golitsyn (whose house was on the corner of Bronnaya and Tverskoy boulevard) illuminated it at his own expense with multi-colored lanterns and scales, the light of which, falling on the polished metal round shields that stood at both ends of the boulevard, was reflected on its entire space.

These shields were popularly called "Oeil de boeuf", that is, "bull's eye". During the illumination, Muscovites walked along the boulevard to the sound of music performed by musicians from the horn orchestra of Prince Golitsyn. Moscow residents of that time did not like the proverb "There is silk on the belly, and silk in the belly." They adhered to another rule: "The hut is not red with corners, but red with pies." Hospitality was famous not only for the rich, but also for the poor citizens of the Mother See.

As for the houses of the Moscow aristocrats, they had a table set for their guests every day, and so the nobles and talented artists came to them without any ceremony on certain days to dine and spent the whole evening "in various pleasures." Fisticuffs were popular not only among the common people. Some Moscow aristocrats did not disdain "gladiator games". So, Count A.G. Orlov-Chesmensky, known for his extraordinary strength (Aleksey Grigorievich unfolded horseshoes with his hands, rolled silver rubles into tubes), fought with his fists at home with a well-known Arab strongman in Moscow at that time. Among the special hobbies of Muscovites should also be attributed cockfights, breeding pigeons (there was no merchant's house where there was no dovecote), as well as listening to nightingale singing in taverns.

Moscow residents loved to be original.

To draw attention to himself, Prince Volkonsky, for example, sometimes left the house in winter in a sleigh made like an oblong boat, in front of which was “a gilded bird’s head with a long nose tilted to the front of the sleigh, it served as a place for the driver to sit ...”.

In the time we are describing in Moscow, fortunes were won and lost at the card tables. “To me (A.P. Glushkovsky. - Aut.) it happened to teach children to dance from many rich card players: on that occasion I visited them at all parties and balls. Nowhere could be better to drink, eat and have fun, as they have. Often these feasts were attended by gypsies, conjurers and an orchestra of musicians; they always paid generously. Once I was sitting in the office of a player I knew, Nikolai Ivanovich Kvashnin-Samarin, with whom I was almost on friendly terms. He threw the bank always for huge sums. I asked him: "I think yesterday's party cost you a lot?"“Yes,” he answered, “two thousand.” Then I decided to tell him: “You have a large family, wouldn’t it be better for you to save money for a rainy day?” - “Dear friend,” he replied, “you do not know our calculations: the more luxurious the party, the more there are punters at it, and this is a great benefit to the banker; if the punter loses a thousand or two, he says: “But I drank well, ate and had a fun time,” and at another banker, where you can’t interrogate even a glass of Yerofeyich, it’s a pity to lose a ruble. So, you see, the party cost me two thousand, and I bought five.

In summer, people liked to walk on Sparrow Hills. At that time, the mountains were covered with forest, which saved vacationers from the summer heat. Here were spread "tents for gypsies and those selling local and drinking products ...". Early in the morning and in the evening vacationers came to Sparrow Hills from neighboring dachas for swimming, walking and drinking tea. "AT summer time the landlords lived in their villages near Moscow; there they invited their acquaintances to feasts, illuminated the gardens, burned magnificent fireworks, music thundered in the vast halls of the house, young people danced until midnight, everything breathed merriment. It is impossible to read without a smile in the memoirs of contemporaries about Moscow particular balls at the beginning of the century.

Muscovites were distinguished not only by cordiality, but also by noticeable originality in inviting and receiving guests. For example, you wished to congratulate a neighbor on her birthday. On the appointed day, you drive up to her house, and the porter announces to you that you are most humbly asked for the evening. "How many guests will you have?" - “Yes, they invite everyone who arrives in the morning, but there are no invitees; quiet ball appointed ". In the evening, at the "quiet ball" to A.S. Nebolsina (namely, to her we arrived with congratulations) was welcomed by all of Moscow. Crews stretched along both sides of Povarskaya to the Arbat Gates. The birthday girl knew how to receive guests: whether it was the commander-in-chief or a student, a bow to everyone, an affectionate word to everyone. Do what you want - play, talk, be silent, walk, sit, “Just don’t argue too loudly and with vehemence; this is what the hostess is afraid of.”

At the end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th century, the so-called "long Polish" ball opened. Powerful old men and women bow dapperly and squat. Here begins the so-called "light out": the men who did not hit the Polish one by one stop the first couple and, clapping their hands, beat the lady off; gentlemen of the recaptured ladies go to another. The last gentleman either goes to the cards, or, accompanied by the words “Tired!”, “Resign!”, “Retire!”, Runs to the first pair and beats off the lady. Then the “long Polish” turned into a “round”, with paired exits and detours, large and small circles, crosses, a chain, etc. waltz, followed by “manimaska ​​or krakowiak, pergudin or matradura. In conclusion, turtledove or blizzard. After dinner - on tampet or poluri. The peculiarity of the Moscow balls was also that there were often more ladies than gentlemen, which is quite understandable: the main dancers are the military, and the guard is stationed in St. Petersburg. Considering the seriousness of the problem, during the preparation of one of the holidays, Countess A.A. Orlova instructed the ladies she knew to "recruit good gentlemen."

E.A. Muromtseva made a similar request to S.P. Zhikharev to accompany her to the Orlovs' ball. “But I can’t dance decisively,” I said, “I’m shy and awkward.” Purtant vous Werevkines et vous dansez souvent chez les Lobkoff, comme si je ne le savais pas like I don't know! (fr.)]. - “It’s true, but the Verevkins had a ball easily, and at the Lobkovs I dance pour rire [for laughter (fr)] in my mug, and

The Austrian capital is famous not only for palaces, museums and coffee houses, but also for amazing event which takes place here every winter - the Vienna Opera Ball. The most beautiful event impresses not only with its scope, but also with a reverent attitude to the traditions and culture of its country. This year the Opera Ball will take place on 12 February.

Vienna is a true ballroom capital. About 450 points pass here every year. The peak of the ball season falls on January and February, when New Year's Eve is held in the city. festive events. At this time, the balls follow one after another: the Red Cross ball gives way to the New Year's ball, followed by the hunting ball and the ball of lawyers, who pass the baton to the traditional ball of coffee houses and caramel ball. The apotheosis of the holiday is the Vienna Opera Ball, which is held at the Vienna State Opera.

The first balls in Vienna began to be held in the first half of the 19th century. Distinctive feature Viennese balls was the involvement in the event of absolutely all the townspeople. Both nobles and commoners whirled in waltzes and polonaises during dance evenings. The court ball, which was arranged by the imperial family, gathered all the nobility of the state, so it rightfully bore the title of "the main event of the year."

In 1921, when Austria-Hungary collapsed, the famous court ball was replaced by an opera. And although opera balls were held before, they were not the central event before. Now, it is the event at the Vienna Opera that has become considered the main one in a series of dance evenings held in the city.

Only the Anschluss of Austria by Germany and the Second World War forced the Austrians to forget about their favorite hobby for a while. At this time, the balls were not held, the people simply were not up to them. The traditional Opera Ball was restored only in 1956. Since then, every year Vienna organizes a real dance marathon for its residents and guests.

The Opera Ball is a large-scale event, for which not only the organizers, but also the participants are carefully preparing. The number of guests at this magnificent evening is up to 5,000 people. By the way, contrary to popular belief, the Opera Ball is not a closed event. Anyone can visit it. To do this, it is enough to buy tickets, which are also distributed on the website of the Vienna Opera, and an outfit appropriate for the occasion. True, you should take care of tickets in advance: they are sold out long before the season opens. Price entrance tickets quite high and varies from 390 to 18,000 euros. There is a strict dress code for the guests of the ball: men must be in tailcoats and a white bow tie, and women must be in classic ball gowns. Such costumes are quite expensive, but in Vienna they found a way out: rentals help to save money, but look decent.

The debutants open the ball. Young girls and boys go through a rigorous selection to take part in the debutants' exit: the ability to dance beautifully and a single status are a must.

Girls must wear white ball gowns and crowns. In the hands of each debutante is a small delicate bouquet of flowers, which emphasizes the beauty of the young participants.

Couples dance the traditional polonaise and waltz. After the release of the debutants, all participants can already take part in the dances.

The musical program of the ball is a sample of taste. The great composers Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven and, of course, the waltz king Schubert help to recreate the classic atmosphere of a dance evening.

The Opera Ball impresses with the splendor of decoration. More than 60,000 roses are brought to the Vienna Opera to decorate the premises. The entrance to the Opera is decorated with a traditional red carpet, which only adds to the solemnity of the event.

The Viennese ball is a true keeper of the spirit of the past centuries, the focus of sophistication and aristocracy, elegance and grace. No wonder UNESCO included this event in the list of world intangible cultural heritage.