Herzklopfen im Dreivierteltakt

The big day is here, I'm opening the Opera Ball 2018!

I started the day relaxed with a delicious breakfast with the best mom in the world and Elke. Then we explored Vienna a little, visited St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Hofburg Palace, and the Naschmarkt. With each passing hour, I became more excited.

At noon, I had my makeup appointment at Hotel Bristol. Some of the debutantes were already waiting eagerly for their appointments. About seven ladies of the young ladies' committee were getting their makeup done in a beautiful salon. I was one of the first, and my makeup artist got to work right away. After an hour, the work was done. The first look in the mirror was unfamiliar, but after the second look, a smile appeared on my face.

Next, I went to my private stylist Caro. We spent the time before my style check doing hair, nails, and getting dressed.

Then it was off to the opera. My heart started racing, and I felt like I was trembling all over. All sorts of thoughts ran through my head - did I forget anything, will the crown stay in place, does the dress fit, do I still remember the choreography,... When we arrived at the Bristol, that moment of excitement and nervousness quickly became history because we had a lot of fun, enjoyed a coffee, and took some photos.

When it became 7:00 PM, we packed our things and walked across the street to the opera. After a few minutes of waiting in the cold, we were let in, and the rehearsal room (also known as the organ hall) became the picnic hall. We debutantes strengthened ourselves and enjoyed the calm before the storm, and there was a lot of fun. In between, ORF paid us a visit. At 8:30 PM, the last run-through before the big performance started. The master of ceremonies, Svabeck, made a few minor adjustments.

At 9:45 PM, there was hectic activity in the organ hall. Everyone changed their shoes, made final touch-ups to their makeup, and put on their white gloves. Then we quickly lined up for the entrance, and off we went! To my surprise, I was excited but hardly nervous. I was extremely excited for the coming hour.

The first steps into the opera hall, walking down a red staircase. What goes through one's mind at that moment? Excitement, a breathtaking feeling, so many people are incredibly happy to see us, am I dreaming?

Left, right, left, right,... until we reached the front, then I said goodbye to my partner, and the gentleman escorted me to my place in the formation. Once everyone took their positions, the Vienna State Opera Ballet performed two beautiful pieces. Then came the solo performance by tenor Pavol Bresli. As he left the stage, he passed by us debutantes and wished us all the best, a wonderful gesture from a wonderful singer. He was followed by soprano Valentina Nafornita. My personal highlight, the duet, 'Lippen schweigen' from Lehár's 'The Merry Widow', performed by the two as the final part of the show. I was almost in tears from emotion and being overwhelmed, but I tried my best to brush them away.

And now, it begins, our big performance. From the first step to the last waltz turn, everything went perfectly and felt like being on another planet, in another world, in a dream. We floated across the dance floor, and I was enchanted.

Now it was time for the traditional waltz, and the dance floor instantly filled up, but we still danced this first waltz of the evening until the end.

Shortly after the opening, we had a significant TV appearance. Julian and I were chosen to be part of the cutting of the Opera Ball wedding cake. For this, we went to the tea salon. There was a lot of hectic activity there, and many interviews were given.

The shoot was a lot of fun, and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra was also present. Funny music accompanied the cutting, which we witnessed right next to the cake. Until the command, three, two, one, there was a joyful atmosphere, with chatting and laughter. When the command sounded, everyone put on their show face. As expected, the wedding cake was a Sachertorte with a thick layer of fondant.

Our last stop before we could fully enjoy the ball was a visit to the Humanic Atelier. Together with ballet star Maria Yakovleva and the CEO of Humanic, as a Humanic Opera Ball debutante, I took some photos for the press and for Instagram.

For the rest of the evening, we danced, strolled around, and just enjoyed ourselves! The ball is unique, and it felt wonderful.

Towards the end, many guests started taking flowers, dismantling the flower arrangements, to take a memento of the unforgettable ball night home with them. We debutantes captured the last moments with a group photo and a wave to properly conclude the Opera Ball.

Some of the young ladies and young men on the committee ended this unique event with a very delicious and cozy breakfast at the Hotel Bristol.

'Dancing is dreaming with your legs!' this saying gained even more meaning for me on this evening, and as my father wrote so beautifully in December:

The day is short, the night is long - the waltz melody rules! And as long as it doesn't fade away, we'll sway our dancing legs merrily.