SemperOperaball 2010 Dresden, January 15th

 PRESS INFORMATION
Dresden is turning – why don’t you join in – SemperOperaball 2010
Dresden, January 15th, 2010
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Recipients of SemperOperaball’s Dresden medal of St George
Partnership as a recipe for success
Program highlights
SemperOpenairball
Dresden Anthem of SemperOperaball
Guestlist (as of 12. January 2010)
Semper Opera opens its gates for the fifth time and celebrates the most beautiful
night of the year tonight. More than 2000 guests will celebrate the little anniversary
inside the opera, thousands will join in at SemperOpenairball and millions will be
amazed and enchanted when they switch on their TVs and experience the unique
atmosphere, the fairy-tale setting and the top-class entertainment. The ball’s concept
is equally unique: Dresden is the only place of joint celebrations both indoors and
outdoors.
One of the highlights of the evening is the announcement of the three recipients of
SemperOperaball’s Dresden medal of St George: The 1st SemperOperaball’s Dresden
medal of St George for politics is awarded to Prof. Dr. Kurt Biedenkopf. The 2nd
SemperOperaball’s Dresden medal of St George for arts and culture is awarded to
famous tenor Jose Carreras. The 3rd SemperOperaball’s Dresden medal of St George
for outstanding global charity endeavours is this year awarded posthumously to
Michael Jackson and will be presented to his sister La Toya. The laudations are
spoken by Wolfgang Güttler, Peter Maffay and Mariella Ahrens.
„Michael Jackson supported 39 foundations and charity projects, set up his own
foundation (Heal the World Foundation) and donated more than 300m US Dollars in
total“ Frey explained.
Pressekontakt:
FLASKAMP AG, Manuela Flaskamp, Fon: 0351 4911 90304, E-Mail: presse@semperopernball.de
The SemperOperaball’s Dresden Medal of St George is modelled on a piece from the
16th century, one of the oldest and artistically most valuable items one can see at
Dresden’s „Green Vault“ museum. The medal is specially made in the famous
workshops of juweller Leicht. The image follows a grand tradition as it shows St.
George fighting the dragon. A symbol for the eternal struggle of good against evil
further emphasized by the medals’s theme engraved on the front: „Adverso Flumine“
(against the flow). Recipients from 2006 to 2009 were: Armin Müller-Stahl (actor),
Hans-Dietrich Genscher (former Federal Foreign Minister), Maximilian Schell (actor),
Franz Beckenbauer (VP of German Football Association, coach and former
professional player), Dr. Lothar de Maiziére (former Prime Minister), Prof. Kurt Masur
(conductor), Henry Maske (boxing world champion), Vladimir Putin (Prime Minister of
the Russian Federation), Joachim Fuchsberger (actor and entertainer) und Matthias
Steiner (Olympic gold medal winner).
Partnerships as a recipe for cuccess
Prior to its fifth staging, Frey also reflected on SemperOperaball and its success.
SemperOeraball and its concept, its mix of classical and popular entertainment, the
bridge between the guests inside the opera and thousands of visitors on Theatre
Square in front of it, is truly unique. Despite the crisis, and this is by no means taken
for granted, the ball has been sold out and many political decision makers, business
leaders and artists have announced their presence. The celebration on January 15th
will prove once again that SemperOperaball has achieved to become a fixture within
the rather short period of five years. This is only possible because of partnerships.
„Our success“, Frey stresses,“ has many fathers“.
Pressekontakt:
FLASKAMP AG, Manuela Flaskamp, Fon: 0351 4911 90304, E-Mail: presse@semperopernball.de
Apart from Hans-Joachim Frey other members of Semper Opernball e. V. include
Bernd Aust and Georg Leicht as Second Chairmen, Horst-Michael von Kummer as
Deputy Chairman and Rainer Naseband as Treasurer. On behalf of Semper Opernball
e. V. Frey expressed his gratitude to the Saxon Prime Minister Stanislaw Tillich and
his office, to the city of Dresden and its first mayor Helma Orosz for their outstanding
support and dedication. „The success of SemperOperaball would not have been
possible without such partners“, Frey continued.
The top-class program
SemperOperaball officially begins at 7 pm with the traditional handing over of the
key. Fanfares sound and Prime Minister Stanislaw Tillich, First Mayor Helma Orosz,
Artistic Director Prof. Gerd Uecker and Hans-Joachim Frey open the gates to the
opera house. The 90 minute opening program „Dresden is turning – why don’t you
join in“ commences punctually at 9 pm and is broadcasted live on MDR TV and
shown again, the following day on 3Sat TV. The program combines an irresistible mix
of classical music and outstanding entertainment.
In order to stage the fifth SemperOperaball and of course the fifth
SemperOpenairball, the traditional opera, that celebrates the 25th anniversary of its
reopening this year, remains closed for four days so that 300 members of staff can
get it ready. Before the Ball can start, the main hall where all the highlights of the
fifth SemperOperaball will be staged has to be cleared. Additionally, 100 speakers,
42 screens and 86 microphones are installed and set up to ensure the perfect
experience – no matter which room of SemperOpera you are in. Roughly 10 km of
cable are put in place, these include 800 metres of video cables and 600 metres of
sound cables and they guarantee the power supply of the technical equipment. After
the ball all additional fixtures, such as separating walls in the boxes are removed, the
800 chairs are put back into the stalls and the red carpets are put in storage for the
next SemperOperaball.
The list of artists is long: great music, singing and dancing delights are to be
expected from Sächsische Staatskapelle, the choir of Sächsische Staatsoper, the
grand ball orchestra of Sächsische Staatskapelle and the ballet of Semper Opera. The
virtuosic performances of pianists Katja und Marielle Labèque will amaze and opera
stars Camilla Nylund and Klaus Florian Vogt are certain to touch their audiences’
hearts and souls. The program is hosted by a great couple: Miriam Pielhau und
Gunther Emmerlich.
Pressekontakt:
FLASKAMP AG, Manuela Flaskamp, Fon: 0351 4911 90304, E-Mail: presse@semperopernball.de
The performance by Peter Kraus will certainly be another highlight. He combines
rock’n roll with popular hits and memorable lyrics and his energetic performance will
make it difficult for the audience to remain in their seats. The 2000 guests can
continue dancing until 5 am. 8 orchestras and bands as well as several artists make
sure the music doesn’t srop. These include Galaband Friedtjof Laubner, Konrad Kater
Kapelle, Monsieur T. and the ensemble Miss Mama Ulita & The Lipsi Lillies from
Leipzig, who will revive the spirit of the golden twenties.
The theme of SemperOperaball 2010
SemperOperaball’s theme „Great Couples“ pays tribute to a number of notable
anniversaries: 20 years of German unification, 25 years of Semper Opera being
reopened and five years of SemperOperaball. – elements that belong together come
together. Whether one looks at Semper Opera and Dresden, Dresden and Saxony or
East and West – great couple are celebrating their anniversary in 2010. But of course
great couples have also always been part and parcel of great operas and ballets
(Tristan und Isolde, Leonore und Florestan) and are thematically present at the ball.
A special highlight: prior to the ball couples were asked to apply with their very
touching or crazy or exciting stories. Ten of them were selected in a lottery draw and
on Friday night they will enter the opera on the red carpet and join the Prime
Minister Stanialw Tillich when he dances the opening waltz. Afterwards they will join
the guests and the breathtaking celebrations.
The dance of the debutante couples
About 80 couples were chosen at castings held in various citoes for the festive
highlight of the opening program. For the very first time and only in the anniversary
year, the couples will dance the opening dance that was choreographed by Sabine
and Tassilo Lax while they are being accompanied by Sächsische Staatskapelle which
will be conducted by Maestro Massimo Zanetti himself. As in previous years, the
ladies will be wearing red dresses exclusively designed for the occasion by the
Dresden fashion designer Uwe Herrmann. The satin dress is embroidered with more
than 3000 pearls and its elegance is further underlined by the sophisticated lacing on
the back and the spectacular hem width of 2.80 metres. The gentlemen are in
tuxedos. Bow ties and pocket handkerchiefs are made from the same fabric as the
ladies’ dresses.
Pressekontakt:
FLASKAMP AG, Manuela Flaskamp, Fon: 0351 4911 90304, E-Mail: presse@semperopernball.de
Celebrity guests
SemperOperaball has been a magnet for celebrities and VIPs from the very
beginning and has by now become a major fixture in the annual ballroom calendar.
This years guestlist proves that the importance of SemperOperaball is increasing.
Despite recession and financial crisis, and of course these events were also noted
and felt in the context of SemperOperaball, many interesting guests have taken up
the invitation.
People who have announced their attendance include: Mariella Gräfin von Faber
Castell, Katja Burkhard, Lothar and Thomas de Maizière, Eva Habermann, Astrid
Frohloff, Gülcan Kamps, Frank Matthée, Sara Nuru, Anouschka Renzi, Maximilian
Schell, Jan Sosniok, Carsten Spengemann, Edmund Stoiber, Wolfgang Stumph and
Dieter Wedel.
SemperOpenairball: a party for the entire city of Dresden
SemperOpenairball is celebrated fort he fifth time in front of the opera. It is a truly
unique event that unites SemperOpera with a program for the citizens of Dresden
and their guests. Both SemperOperaball and SemperOpenairball start with a
lightshow and a fireworks display designed by Tom Roeder. The opera is illuminated
in breathtaking colours while the show is accompanied by Beethoven’s „Ode to Joy“.
SemperOpenairball has become a real audience magnet. Every year thousands of
people from Dresden follow the invitataion and gather on Theatre Square. Apart
from the broadcast of the opening program, music and additional entertainment
make Dresden dance.
SemperOpenairball 2010 is a celebration for and of great couples and for those who
want to become one. Not only couples are invited, but everyone who is seeking to
find their soulmate. They can look for each other and find one another by sms in the
square and then get to know one another by trying the historical Ferris wheel in front
of the opera. That in itself is a memorable experience but it might even be the
beginning of something lasting for some.
To sum up: SemperOpenairball is a celebration packed with surprises! The stuff that
dreams are made of can become the stuff reality is made of during this magical
night. Live and only in front of Semper Opera! Surprised faces as well as tears of joy
and happiness are guaranteed.
Pressekontakt:
FLASKAMP AG, Manuela Flaskamp, Fon: 0351 4911 90304, E-Mail: presse@semperopernball.de
The most important facts for SemperOpenairball 2010
18:00 h program starts | stands on Theatre Square open
19:00 h opera is opened with the golden key
19:00-20:45 h red carpet, arrival of the guests
21:00-22:30 h opening program, live brodcast on mdr TV, shown in Theatre Square
21:00 h opening fireworks (Tom Roeder)
21:30 h Dresden’s SemperOperaball Anthem is sung (lyrics and score
at www.semperopernball.de)
22:15 h fireworks and lightshow (Tom Roeder)
22:45 h opening waltz
23:00 h debutante couples dance with the people of Dresden in Theatre Square
23:45-00:45 h performance by Peter Kraus & Band is shown live on the screens in
Theatre Square
An anthem for the city of Dresden and SemperOperaball
The Dresden anthem of SemperOperaball will receive its premiere on 15. January,
too. The melody is „The Emperor’s Waltz“ by Johann Strauss the son and the lyrics
are: Dresden dreht sich einmal im Jahr, Dresden dreht sich, Träume sind wahr,
Dresden dreht sich, dreh Dich doch mit, rund um die Oper im Walzerschritt.
Frey repeated the invitation to choirs and passionate singers asking them to come to
Theatre Square and join the guests of SemperOpenairball in singing the anthem.
Scores can be downloaded at: www.semperopernball.de
We wish to thank our partners: Sächsische Zeitung, MDR, VW Die Gläserne
Manufaktur, Juwelier Leicht and Taschenbergpalais Kempinski
Pressekontakt:
FLASKAMP AG, Manuela Flaskamp, Fon: 0351 4911 90304, E-Mail: presse@semperopernball.de