Schnitzel, Medal and Fledermaus

"The Star Spangled Banner"– the United States national anthem opened the "New Viennese Opera ball" in New York on the night into Saturday. Approximately 500 US guests put their hands on their hearts. They also hummed along to the sound of Lehar's "Lippen schweigen".

It wasn't the Opera, but the patinöse Plaza at Central Park, where the more or less boisterous banquet took place. But for $400-$600, the quasi famous Americans were offered the full program: junior ladies committee and gentlemen committee with crowns and tuxedos, polonaises with fans, springtime voices and Danube waltz, Bat medley and bat quadrilles including goulash at midnight, schnitzel, Veltliner, beer and "Empress Elizabeth" pralines. US-heart, what more could you wish for?

And the spoiled New Yorkers were visibly content with the first original Opera ball offspring. Opera ball chief Elisabeth Gürtler, ensured that the quality of the ball was indeed adequate.

City Hall "Foreign Minister" and Economic Chamber President Walter Nettig as well as town-councilor Werner Faymann, who arrived as a replacement for mayor Häupl, were also content. Nettig honored Coca-Cola Vice president Clyde Tuggle with a Viennese medal. "It is these banquets which lead to close business ties and perhaps because of this one US-company will – among other things – open a site in Vienna every week.

Coca Cola's Tuggle stated: "Our European headquarters are located in Vienna – and we do more business in Europe than in the US. Certain transatlantic problems may be easier to solve during those balls".

And Werner Faymann says: "Business deals are also closed on an emotional basis, and an opera ball like this brings the domestic economy a little bit closer to the US."

Summary of the Opera ball in the Big Apple: "Wine, women, songs and huge business deals just like at home at the Danube. There is only thing missing for the opera ball to be an authentic one: Lugners.