Opera Ball 2026

A tribute to the city of love: this is the Opera Ball 2026 on 13 and 14 February. Under the motto PADAM!“ - inspired by Édith Piaf's legendary chanson - we celebrate Parisian savoir-vivre in all its facets: The French elegance of the Champs Élysées meets the baroque splendour of Versailles, the bohemia of Montmartre meets the Belle Époque, Parisian cabaret meets caricatures.

On stage, star guest Katharine Mehrling and artistic director Bodo Busse lead through a multi-faceted programme. Julia Sturzlbaum, Cassandra Doyle, Seung-Jick Kim and Max Dollinger from the opera ensemble will also be performing - accompanied by the Niedersächsisches Staatsorchester, of course. The debutantes from the Bothe dance school will open the dance with music by Jacques Offenbach. In the midnight show, the Hanover State Ballet will perform a choreography by Goyo Montero. The Thilo Wolf Big Band and the Hamburg party band Max & Friends will ensure the best dancing mood.

A glittering ball night awaits you in the Great Hall. In addition, the themed rooms conceived by director Felix Schrödinger and set designer Pascal Seibicke and artistically designed in the workshops of the Niedersächsische Staatstheater open up very special worlds of experience: In Queen Marie-Antoinette's bedchamber, The Les Clöchards make the puppets dance in a rousing rock ’n’ roll show. Drag queen Gisela Kloppke invites you to an amusing karaoke in the Louvre en Détail miniature museum. Together with pianist Francesco Greco, members of the opera ensemble will whisk you away to the fascinating world of chanson and French opera. Jueri will provide an excellent atmosphere on the turntables - and those who like it jazzier will get their money's worth with musicians from the State Orchestra. Laurent Leroy and his ensemble guarantee a musette flair that goes straight to the heart. If you fancy a dose of goose bumps, we recommend a descent into the mysterious world of the Parisian catacombs.

In culinary terms, the caterer at its best has put together an irresistible offer that can be enjoyed as an opera ball menu or as a snack from the French bistro kitchen: be it in the labyrinth of streets in Montmartre or under a surreal night sky between the Miroirs Nocturnes. At Café Élysée you will find the finest patisserie. French drinks are on offer in the bars Le Chat Brillant and Courage! or on Avenue Montgolfière with its world exhibition flair.