Metro

Tuesday June 12, 2007

A ball of a time in store with Viennese treat

By VIVIENNE PAL
Photos by BRIAN MOH

40 couples will make debut at the Malaysian instalment of the exclusive Austrian social highlight.

Not any more, for some 40 young Malaysian couples who will make debut at the Malaysian instalment of the exclusive Viennese Opera Ball at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Evolving from the tradition of public balls dating back to the 18th century, the Viennese Opera Ball has long been a social highlight among Austrians during carnival season, which occurs at the beginning of the year.

Elegant affair: Debutantes dressed in white (lady) and coat tails (gentlemen) take to the floor with the polonaise, quadrille and viennese waltz at the star of the Viennese Opera Ball in Vienna. This annual tradition takes place at the Viennese Opera Hall during Carnival season at the beginning of the year.
Having been adopted in various other localities, including Beijing, Dubai and New York, the Ball will finally be organised by the Austrian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur come June 29.

The idea was mooted two years ago, when the present Austrian ambassador Dr Donatus Koeck took office in 2005.

Putting it together: 'Art and culture have no borders; this is a cultural exchange,' says Dedic.
“This is a good year to hold the Ball. Malaysia is celebrating 50 years of nationhood, in addition to this being Visit Malaysia Year 2007,” said Koeck.

The event is, incidentally, also a celebration of the 50-year relationship between Austria and Malaysia.

This would not be the first Ball Koeck has introduced to his adopted country – he initiated Beijing’s first Viennese Opera Ball in 1992, and it has remained a tradition to this day.

Koeck admitted that the upcoming Ball would be the embassy's most ambitious project to date.

“We're talking about a budget of RM700,000 for the entire event. We're flying in Austrian artistes, including a full-fledge orchestra (conducted by the distinguished Prof. Helmut Steubl), opera singers and ballet dancers,” he said.

And, Koeck has selected the best candidate to put the affair together – artistic director Clare Dedic.

New experience: 'It's a free boot camp for me. And I get to experience a Ball firsthand,' says Tan.
Dedic has arranged a spectacular Viennese treat for the senses which goes beyond event concept alone; there will also be Viennese food and wine, music and performances.

There will also be a spectacular fashion and diamond showcase by Datuk Tom Abang Saufi and Korloff Paris following cocktauls and dinner.

Participation at such an extravagant affair would, naturally, require the participants to perform the debutante polonaise and the Viennese waltz, and thus the embassy has seen fit to rope in the services of Reinhard Polt.

A distinguished competitive dancer, Polt was the dance instructor at Vienna's renowned Willy Elmayer dance school, and has trained young debutantes for the Vienna Opera Ball at the Vienna State Opera.

He runs the only Austrian Dance School outside Austria and has trained debutantes from Athens, Beijing, Tunis, Stuttgart and Singapore.

“This is an opportunity to learn the Viennese waltz, polonaise and quadrille; it's a free 'boot camp' for me. And I get to experience a Ball first-hand,” said export executive Pauline Tan, 26.

Sabrina Chan, 21, shares Tan's excitement.

“Balls are not part of our Malaysian culture, but I think people will take to it. I’m excited about experiencing something new,” said Chan.

The debutantes' dance classes are conducted at the Havana E'studio in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, thanks to the generosity of studio owner Salsa Sam.

Wait for the transformation: Come June 29 these debutantes will look stunning in their ball gowns and suits.
The best five couples from the pool of 40 will be selected to perform at the Viennese Opera Ball in Austria in January next year.

The five must also fulfil the age criterion – between 17 and 25 years old according to tradition - in order to go for the Ball (the age criterion was relaxed for the Ball in KL so that more Malaysians would be able to participate).

While the debutantes' excitement revolve around new experiences, Koeck and Dedic are thrilled not just at being able to introduce Viennese customs to Malaysians, but also to merge both the cultures in what would traditionally have been totally Viennese.

“We'll have Vivian Chua arrange a musical sequence combining both European and Malaysian compositions, to be played by performers from Anne Perreau's School of Music. There will also be a traditional Mengadap Redap performed by Aswara dancers to welcome guests to the Ball.

Foot action: The debutantes learning their steps.
“Art and culture have no borders; this is a cultural exchange,” said Dedic.

Guests to the event will also have a chance to pick up a few dance steps from Polt over the next three weeks at Sapura Auto's offices.

“In my experience, art and culture is the cohesive force in a community, bringing its members together for a mutual experience and enjoyment. This is not just a project; I hope the Ball will be a tradition that would be carried on in Malaysia over the years,” said Kroeck.

Tables for the night are sold by way of donation with proceeds going to WWF and Yayasan Tunku Naquiyuddin.

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