In pictures: Opera Ball in Vienna 2014

The National
  • Debutants dance during the opening ceremony. The traditional ball is opened by the Austrian president and features a musical programme with soloists and artists from the Vienna Philharmonic and State Ballet before the 144 debutants and debutantes lead into the festivities with a Strauss waltz. Tickets start at 250 euros ($340 or Dh 1249) and a box costs as much as 18,500 euros ($25,000 or Dh 91,825) Georg Hochmuth / EPA
    Debutants dance during the opening ceremony. The traditional ball is opened by the Austrian president and features a musical programme with soloists and artists from the Vienna Philharmonic and State Ballet before the 144 debutants and debutantes lead into the festivities with a Strauss waltz. Tickets start at 250 euros ($340 or Dh 1249) and a box costs as much as 18,500 euros ($25,000 or Dh 91,825) Georg Hochmuth / EPA
  • The Vienna Opera Ball were first held in 1935. Herbert Neubauer / EPA
    The Vienna Opera Ball were first held in 1935. Herbert Neubauer / EPA
  • Dancers of the Vienna State Opera Ballet perform during the opening ceremony. Georg Hochmuth / EPA
    Dancers of the Vienna State Opera Ballet perform during the opening ceremony. Georg Hochmuth / EPA
  • Canadian tenor Michael Schade performs during the opening ceremony. Herbert Neubauer / EPA
    Canadian tenor Michael Schade performs during the opening ceremony. Herbert Neubauer / EPA
  • Visitors watch the opening ceremony of the Opera Ball. Leonhard Foeger / Reuters
    Visitors watch the opening ceremony of the Opera Ball. Leonhard Foeger / Reuters
  • US television personality Kim Kardashian (left), her mother Kris Jenner (right) and their host Austrian businessman Richard Lugner (centre) arrive for the Vienna Opera Ball.
    US television personality Kim Kardashian (left), her mother Kris Jenner (right) and their host Austrian businessman Richard Lugner (centre) arrive for the Vienna Opera Ball.
  • Nane Lagergren, left, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, second from left, Austrian President Heinz Fischer, second from right, with his wife Margit, right, during the opening ceremony. Peter Lechner / EPA
    Nane Lagergren, left, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, second from left, Austrian President Heinz Fischer, second from right, with his wife Margit, right, during the opening ceremony. Peter Lechner / EPA