New Year's Treats 31 Dec 2005 NATIONAL OPERA HOUSE - BUDAPEST THE EUROPEAN BALL There's nothing more old world European than a masked ball and no better way to usher in the New Year than attending one. The European Ball is held in the famous Opera House with music, dancing and a party that spills out onto the streets afterwards. 31 Dec 2005 STATE OPERA HOUSE - PRAGUE DIE FLEDERMAUS GALA EVENING AND BALL Celebrate the New Year with the esprit of Strauss music at the Prague State Opera. This very special night commences with a cocktail reception and continues with a performance of Die Fledermaus. Between acts a gala dinner will be served, with a toast at midnight to welcome the New Year. Celebrations continue with dancing on stage until the early hours! 31 Dec 2005 HOFBURG PALACE - VIENNA THE IMPERIAL BALL Vienna, celebrated city of music, invites you to the Kaiserball on New Year's Eve in the halls of the Hofburg Palace. Spend a night in the atmosphere of Viennese charm and elegance in the state apartments of the ancient imperial winter residence and dance into the New Year to the strains of Viennese waltz and operetta melodies. The Palace also opens its doors to another classic event, its traditional New Year’ Eve concert at 16.00h MUSIKVEREIN - VIENNA NEW YEAR'S CONCERTS There is no way to describe the utter magnificence of the Golden Hall, even after having seen its New Year's Concert on television. Being there will be one of the most unique experiences of a lifetime! 30 Dec, 11.00h; 31 Dec, 19.30h; 1 Jan, 11.15h SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE - VIENNA Schönbrunn Palace has the biggest Orangerie in the world which, after its recent make over, has turned into the most outstandingly charming setting for first class concerts. Music by Strauss and Mozart 25 to 30 Dec, daily, 20.30h; 31 Dec, 19.00h STAATSOPER- VIENNA Renowned as one of the oldest and most prestigious theatres in Europe, the Staatsoper offers a vast programme during the year. But something extra special can always be expected on their New Year's Eve traditional performance, Die Fledermaus. 31 Dec, 19.00h VOLKSOPER - VIENNA Vienna's largest opera house originally opened as a drama theatre, to then become specialised in operetta with the addition of operas of the 18th-20th century. At the year’s end, they serve one of the house's specialities, Die Fledermaus. 1 Jan, 13.30h and 19.00h LA SCALA - MILAN Milan's beautifully renovated Opera house is offering a performance of La Sylphide by the choreograper Pierre Lacotte, with the Etoile of the Opéra de Paris Aurélie Dupont. A warm up stop before your skiing holiday in the Alps? 31 Dec, matinée and evening. LA FENICE - VENICE The Christmas season works its magic even more on the fairy like setting of Venice. Find the magic indoors with the traditional New Year's Eve or New Year's Day concerts at La Fenice, both conducted by Kurt Masur. 31 Dec, 1 Jan OPERA GARNIER AND OPERA BASTILLE - PARIS Nothing can really top a getaway New Year's Eve in Paris, with additional feasting at its main opera houses: the Opéra Bastille presenting Nureyev's choreographed Swan Lake and the Palais Garnier staging a special concert with Roberto Alagna, conducted by Georges Prêtre. 31 Dec