‘Magic Flute’ German Ball a magical success
Print Edition
The German Chamber of Commerce has hosted the 16th edition of the glittering German Ball, this year titled “Die Zauberflöte” (“The Magic Flute”), Mozart’s famous opera.
The gala on November 23 at the Grand Hyatt Shanghai is the highlight of the Shanghai German community’s social calendar. It’s the largest of the chamber’s more than 130 annual events.
Each year, many of the German Chamber’s 1,600 members, as well as Chinese and international guests, flock to Shanghai to attend the ball.
This year there were 1,450 attendees, including several who flew in from abroad, especially for the event.
The ticket reservation began months before the ball, and tickets were sold out within days.
The elegant setting of the Hyatt hotel was perfectly suited to “The Magic Flute” theme: Guests passed through a blue tunnel decorated with lights and musical motifs before entering the foyer, where they were greeted with glasses of Champagne.
In the foyer they had the opportunity to have professional photos taken in their ball finery, posed in front of photo boards.
After a live flute performance on the staircase to open the evening, the guests headed upstairs to the Crystal and Grand Ballrooms. These were decorated in midnight blue, lit with hundreds of candles and punctuated by the vibrant pink of fresh roses and orchids at every table.
The elaborate setting was matched by the buffet, and guests were tempted by hundreds of choices: from Peking duck and suckling pig to sashimi, oysters and many classic German dishes. In addition to the expansive array of savory dishes, an entire room was dedicated to the dessert buffet, a magnet for those with a taste for sweets. These included a wide range of cakes, ice cream and truffles, as well as more whimsical choices, including a tower of macaroons in the colors of the German flag and a chocolate fountain into which guests dipped fresh fruit.
After the Ballroom guests finished their meals and the Dinner and Dance guests descended from the Hyatt’s 56th floor to mingle with the dancing guests, the assembled revelers were entertained with live opera performances — including highlights from “Die Zauberflöte” — as well as feats from Chinese contortionists.
After these performances, the guests hit the dance floor while more bands took the stage. Several groups had been flown from Germany especially for the ball. Studio 188, the James Steiner Band, Lounge Society and Rolf Becker and his orchestra kept the energy up and the guests dancing.
Lounges offered a welcome retreat for those who had already danced themselves breathless: The Champagne lounge was an oasis of relaxation, while the guests in the cigar lounge enjoyed live Latin music.
Another highlight of the evening came at midnight, with the lucky draw and the opening of the midnight buffet. Delighted lucky draw winners received prizes such as international flights, stays at luxury hotels and vouchers for gourmet meals.
Nearby, other guests enjoyed searching out their own pictures from the wall at the photo sale, while those who had worked up appetites from hours of dancing enjoyed a midnight snack. The Champagne flowed, the bands played on, and the guests stayed until late: the very last didn’t leave until after five in the morning.
The 16th German Ball was a resounding success thanks to the wonderful work from the performers, Felix Heimberg’s charming hosting of the event, the culinary delights provided by German chef Michael Dinges and his team, the combined efforts of hotel and chamber staff, the generosity of the sponsors and, above all, the boundless enthusiasm of the guests.
Those interested in seeing photos of the ball can view them at www.german-ball-china.com and on the German Chamber Ticker App.
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