Tsar‘s Ball 2007 in Imperial Catherine Palace31 December 2006 - 01 January 2007 SCHEDULE 31 December 2006 - 01 January 2007
A beautiful ceremony of the Imperial Court
that revives to you the balls, receptions and celebrations which used to astound the world.
The truly majestic spirit of the bygone era of the Tsars
to be experienced in the glorious Saint-Petersburg - Russian
Cultural Capital - in Catherine‘s Palace - the fabulous summer residence of Russian Emperors. Tsar`s Ball Program
The most outstanding
feature of the ball is that it closely follows
past events, both in its atmosphere and its
scenario, which present-day historians have
painstakingly revived. Times naturally change
and some innovations have been made to the
ceremony.
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Departure (18.45) Hostesses and guides meet guests in the lobby of Grand Hotel Europe or Astoria/Angleterre hotel at 18.45
Transfer by coach to Tsarskoe Selo
Police escort is leading the way to speed up the movement through the city
Transfer time approx. 35 minutes
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Arriving (19.20) Arrival
Arrival to Imperial Catherine Palace around 19.20
Welcome by Military Brass Orchestra
Guests approach the illuminated palace and park walking on a blue carpet,
especially laid out for this occasion
Royal Hussars with torches meet when entering the Park and the Palace |
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Welcome
Cocktail After entering the Palace the
guests are invited for the Welcome Cocktail at
Stasov Room. |
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Royal
welcome Inside the Palace Tsar and
Queen provide a lavish welcome traditionally
reserved for the royalty. The procession follows
through the suite of beautiful baroque
rooms. |
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Entering The
Palace Upon mounting the marble
stairway, the guests pass through silken rooms and
polished halls to admire the elegant palace
interiors. Magnificent rooms stretch in a
sumptuous line to form one uninterrupted suite of
apartments. |
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Music and
Ballet The interior is animated by
enchanting flute music and ballet dancers
performing duets to the sounds of a harpsichord.
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Amber Room
The splendid effect of this passageway
prepares the guests for one of the main treasures
of the palace- the mysterious amber room. Although
it has not been fully restored, its exquisite
refinement leaves no one indifferent. |
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Choir
Singing At the end of the enfilade,
cocktails are served. The Throne Room opens at
nine o` clock sharp. Guests meanwhile enjoy drinks
and snacks, while a children`s choir performs
Schubert`s Ave Maria. |
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The Throne
Room The double doors of the Throne
Room are opened wide and the guests halt
spellbound at the fairytale scene in front of
them. |
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Opera
The courtly entourage provides a royal
welcome, while opera singers mount the stage and
propose the first toast. |
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Imperial
Dinner Dinner
When guest are seated a Classical Balalaika Orchestra is playing
A five course dinner is served, serenaded by Symphony Orchestra
and Classical Balalaika orchestra
During the dinner guests will enjoy ballet and opera sequences by soloists from
well - known Opera and Ballet Houses of St. Petersburg
in combination with other entertainment,
creating the atmosphere of days of the Tsars.
French chefs always managed
Imperial cuisine in Russia. And once again, the
prestigious French catering company Potel &
Chabot is in charge. Dinner starts with the finest
of Russian delicacies - black caviar, a delight to
satisfy the most discerning gourmets.
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Flower
Decoration In keeping with another
Russian tradition, there was always a profusion of
flowers, rare plants and potted palms at every
ball, even in the coldest of winters. This
tradition has also been preserved and scented
flowers bloom on every table. |
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The Magic of
Russian Ballet The impression of Russia
would not be complete without the magic of Russian
ballet. Excerpts from operas and ballets are
performed by soloists of the famous theatres and
opera houses of St. Petersburg. One of the
finest orchestras plays throughout the dinner. |
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Folklore Dancing The
extravaganza continues with Russian folklore and
Cossack shows. Fiery dancers and ethnic songs
enhance the impression of a magical night |
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The World of
Russian Culture The New Year`s Ball is
your unique chance to enter the rich world of
Russian culture, your chance to plunge into an
authentic atmosphere of grandeur and luxury. This
magical journey into the elegant world of the
Russian Tsars guarantees a night to remember. |
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Chiming
Midnight (0:00) Midnight is coming and is
signaled by a concert of bells. |
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Fairytale of Snow
and Mirrors An uninterrupted flow of
time continues in this fairytale world of snow,
candles and mirrors. |
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Fireworks (0:30) The sky
outside brightens up with bursts of light. Flashes
of light flare up in the sky and break into
flaming constellations. From the time of the first
Russian Emperors , fireworks were the favorite
entertainment of the Russian nobility. Back then,
however, in the eighteenth century, they could
only dream of such magic displays. |
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Ball
Dancing Dances are the most exciting
part of any ball. Couples move graciously to the
strains of Strauss`s waltzes in golden interiors
shimmering in candle light. All this makes one
feel as if one has stepped into a fairytale. |
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Imperial
Jazz But this is a modern fairytale, and
jazz accompanies the romantic ballroom music. A
famous St Petersburg jazz orchestra performs
background music throughout the night. Everyone
is carried away in a whirlwind of music. |
This New
This New Year’s it’s the CZAR’S BALL amid the splendor of Empress Catherine’s IMPERIAL PALACE
Don’t miss this extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Book
tickets in advance. For more information, please call us +1 866 869
8634 (USA), +44 800 279 7129 (UK and Europe) or e-mail us at
tsarball@balletandopera.com
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Menu of the Tsar`s Ball
NA ZDAROV‘YE PRE-DINNER COCKTAIL
ASSORTED PRE-DINNER HORS D‘OEUVRE 6 pieces per person, 20-30 minutes duration, Tray service.
- Beef Bourgignon
- Eel with caviar cream
- Salmon and Guacamole
- Foie Gras Cigarillos
- Crab and Ginger Mirror
- Feata Cheese and Grilled Zucchini
- Gambas Prawn & Wasabi
Guests will sip the following beverages (tray service):
- Orange Juice
- Mineral & Still Water
- Russian Vodka
- French Champagne
Guests will sip the following beverages (Open bar):
J.W.Black Label, J.W.Red Label, J.Daniels, Chivas Rigal, Gin Gordon‘s, Rhum Bacardi, Tequilla Olmega, Martini
GALA MENU
GALA DINNER
Patience - Starter
Foie Gras et Compotee Mangue Passion
Foie Gras and Mango
1ere Entree - 1st Intermediate
Caviar Noir sur socle de glace taille
Blinis ti?des et cr?me Smetana
Fantastic Black Caviar served with Warm Blinis and Smetana Cream
2eme Entree - 2nd Intermediate
Chaud et Froid de Homard en Carpaccio
Sauce Corail Gingembre et Citronnelle
Lobster with Caramel Sauce
Granit - Intermezzo
Granite Citron Vodka
Ice Vodka Sorbet
Plat Chaud - Main course
Veau de lait roti a leil
Mousseline d‘Oignon doux au jus de Truffes, Fenouils confits
Delicate Veal with Truffles‘ Sauce
Dessert
Dome Glac? Cassis sur Macaronade
Sauce aux Fruits Rouges
Berry‘s dessert and Blackcurrant Ice-cream
Cafe
Coffee and Selection of fine Teas, Cream and Milk
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Mignardises
Bread & Butter
DINNER BEVERAGES
- French Champagne
- White wine
- Red wine
- Vodka Tsarkoe Selo
- Perrier
- Evian
AFTER DINNER BEVERAGES
Malibu, Baileys, Grappa, Amaretto, Porto Grand Cruz, Armagnac VSOP, Calvados Pere Magloire, Cognac Remy Martin VSOP
DRESS CODE
Official dress code is Black Tie and Long Dress but we are not very strict here in Russia. Everyone understands that it has to be something special.
Ladies shoes precaution - High steel heels are not allowed in Catherine’s Palace.
SMOKING
Smoking is allowed in special smoking rooms only
TRANSFERS
Round trip transfer from/to Grand Hotel Europe and Astoria/Angleterre hotels.
Saint-Petersburg
St.Petersburg in Winter
St.Petersburg - city for all seasons. Enjoy winter St.Petersburg. Winter carnivals with traditional Russian food and drinks, brilliant Opera and Ballet premiers, dazzling balls at the city palaces - these are features of Winter St.Petersburg.
Russian Winter Entertainment Through History
At the early 18th century and the end of the 19th century St.Petersburg winter life bustled with public entertainment. Colorful masquerades, outdoor parties in the suburban residences, carnivals, gorgeous sleighs processions, imperial balls in the chamber of the palaces impressed with their pomp and boisterous spirit. Nowhere in Russia were winter seasons more majestic than St.Petersburg.
Today, traditions of celebrating New Year, Christmas and Maslenitsa (Russian Carnival) come alive, welcoming all the world to share them in the banks of the Neva river and enjoy other events of cultural, sporting and social life in Winter Saint-Petersburg.
Nearly three centuries ago, among boundless expanses of snow and desolate dark woods, a new capital of the Russian state sprang up on the banks of the majestic Neva. It was here, in Saint-Petersburg, that the glorious traditions of the Russian Empire were formed. Imposing palaces arose among the snowy wilderness, and soon they were bustling with life.
The Tsars` Ball - Reviving Traditions
Over two centuries, a beautiful ceremony developed at the Imperial Court, only to be forgotten following the revolution of 1917. But now, at the beginning of the new millenium, our traditions are returning, and once again we have the chance to take part in this remarkable fete.
It is only in Saint-Petersburg that the glorious Russian and truly majestic spirit of the bygone era of the Tsars can be experienced. It was only quite recently, in historical terms, that the Russian Tsars lived in the Catherine`s Palace - their summer residence - and the balls, receptions and celebrations that were held there astounded the world.
Catherine`s Palace
Birth of The Palace
The Catherine`s Palace, in Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo), ranks as one of the masterpieces of the world architecture and art. First build by Braunstein, it has been given in 1710 by Peter the Great to his wife Catherine.
Bartolomeo Rastrelli`s Baroque
Later on, it has been enlarged and modified following the exquisite baroque style
of the famous Italian designer Bartolomeo Rastrelli.
Imperial Residence
Until the Revolution, the Catherine`s Palace "was used as the summer residence of the Imperial family". Its grandiose lurquoise, while and gold facade stretches 978 feet. And its most spacious room, the Great Hall, covers 860 square meters. The park enhances the splendour of the Palace with its charming pavilious such as the Grollo pavilion, the Hermitage and the Chinese Pagoda.
Designing the Tsar`s Ball
Decorating The Palace
The work begins under the supervision of Potel & Chabot`s Executive Chef in Saint-Petersburg. The products are carefully selected and prepared while the head waiters polish the silver.
In the St. Catherine`s Palace, it takes three days to decorate the ballroom from the time the equipment is installed untie the candles are lit. Fabric, ribbons and other materials are trucked in from Paris.
Ice Figures
Outside, Patrick Roger de Campagnolie has been brought in from Potel & Chabot Parit to create the ice sculpture. A Russian assistant makes the blocks of ice in which the caviar will be served (ice-figures).The lights are reflected in the ice sculpture.
The ice sculptor displays his short- lived masterpiece, while the head waiters attend a final briefing. Inside the Palace , the head waiters are setting the chairs, which will then be decorated one by one.
Champaign and Music
The wine steward prepares his bottles: French wines, Russian vodka and of course, the finest champagne! In the wings, the musicians from the Tsar`s guard, in period costume, who will greet the 250 guests when they arrive, are doing a final rehearsal. At 9 P.M. dinner begins...
This New
This New Year’s it’s the CZAR’S BALL amid the splendor of Empress Catherine’s IMPERIAL PALACE
Don’t miss this extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Book
tickets in advance. For more information, please call us +1 866 869
8634 (USA), +44 800 279 7129 (UK and Europe) or e-mail us at
tsarball@balletandopera.com
SCHEDULE 31 December 2006 - 01 January 2007
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