The Opera Ball at the Vienna State Opera, Austria

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The Opera Ball at the Vienna State Opera, Austria

Tonight the Vienna State Opera hall will become a giant party for an exclusive group of guests, ostensibly there to celebrate Carnival before Lent begins. The white-tie-and-tails affair began in 1814 but it wasn’t until 1935 that it was called the Opera Ball. It’s been suspended during times of war, but when the Ball returns, the aristocracy, royalty and Hollywood celebs will suit up and party like it’s 1899.