Fight at OPERA : Two white tie-clad Opera Ball guests trade punches at Vienna's premier social event
Vienna's Opera Ball is noted in high society for its host's exquisite taste that captivates his guests.
But it wasn't a dazzling gown, a spellbinding symphony, or even a tasty hors d'euvre that captivated attendees of the event last night ... but a full-blown punch up between two tie-and-tailed classical music enthusiasts.
The brawl's most talked about moment came when one of the pugilists managed to swing a punishing hook with his right hand without spilling a drop of champagne from the glass in his left.
His older opponent countered with his own right fist but was unable to prevent the blow from landing squarely on his jaw, leaving a nasty gash on his chin.
The altercation rather took the gloss off what was meant to be Kim Kardashian's night, who was allegedly paid $500,000 by an 83-year-old billionaire to be his date for the extravaganza.
Fortunately, though, the reality TV star was out of the room when punches started flying, but she stormed out of the party anyway after an usher reportedly insulted her fiance, Kanye West.
The fight broke out at the Austrian capital's State Opera House as the event's well-heeled guests mingled in the reception area over canapes and champagne.
The civilised hum of high-society hobnobbing was shattered when the two men - one in his mid-60s and another in his 40s - began shouting at each other and waving their fists.
In an instant the row turned ugly as the younger man swung for his enemy, catching him squarely on the chin with his ring.
When the fight ended, the older assailant was eager to show off the cut on his face from which blood had poured over his pristine-white dress shirt and tie.
It is yet unclear who the men were, but by the end of the night they were the talk of the party.
Almost every social group and profession in Austria, from confectioners to firefighters and pharmacists to refugees, holds its own ball, but the Opera Ball is the most elite, with a presidential opening and top-class music and ballet.
'It's an event where the opera can present itself. It's an important platform,' opera director Dominique Meyer told Reuters.
But each year, the fine classical performances of the Vienna Philharmonic and State Ballet are overshadowed in the Austrian media by the paid celebrity guests invited by Viennese billionaire mall developer and regular guest Richard Lugner.
Lugner's past guests have included singer Geri Halliwell and actors Larry Hagman and Pamela Anderson. This year, reality-TV star Kardashian is his main guest.
Fortunately, Miss Kardashian was nowhere near the fight when it broke out, choosing instead to watch the dancing from a VIP box.
The 33-year-old did, however, cause a stir of her own when she allegedly refused to dance with her sponsor - despite her reported $500,000 attendance fee.
According to RadarOnline , the 81-year-old told reporters during a photo call at his Lugner City mall that the reality star was not doing what he wanted.
'Kim is annoying me because she's not sticking to the program,' he said.
She later ditched her date and left the party early after she was approached by a white male who was working at the event with a 'black face' and began to mimic her fiance Kanye West.
But it wasn't a dazzling gown, a spellbinding symphony, or even a tasty hors d'euvre that captivated attendees of the event last night ... but a full-blown punch up between two tie-and-tailed classical music enthusiasts.
The brawl's most talked about moment came when one of the pugilists managed to swing a punishing hook with his right hand without spilling a drop of champagne from the glass in his left.
His older opponent countered with his own right fist but was unable to prevent the blow from landing squarely on his jaw, leaving a nasty gash on his chin.
The altercation rather took the gloss off what was meant to be Kim Kardashian's night, who was allegedly paid $500,000 by an 83-year-old billionaire to be his date for the extravaganza.
Fortunately, though, the reality TV star was out of the room when punches started flying, but she stormed out of the party anyway after an usher reportedly insulted her fiance, Kanye West.
The fight broke out at the Austrian capital's State Opera House as the event's well-heeled guests mingled in the reception area over canapes and champagne.
The civilised hum of high-society hobnobbing was shattered when the two men - one in his mid-60s and another in his 40s - began shouting at each other and waving their fists.
In an instant the row turned ugly as the younger man swung for his enemy, catching him squarely on the chin with his ring.
When the fight ended, the older assailant was eager to show off the cut on his face from which blood had poured over his pristine-white dress shirt and tie.
It is yet unclear who the men were, but by the end of the night they were the talk of the party.
Almost every social group and profession in Austria, from confectioners to firefighters and pharmacists to refugees, holds its own ball, but the Opera Ball is the most elite, with a presidential opening and top-class music and ballet.
'It's an event where the opera can present itself. It's an important platform,' opera director Dominique Meyer told Reuters.
But each year, the fine classical performances of the Vienna Philharmonic and State Ballet are overshadowed in the Austrian media by the paid celebrity guests invited by Viennese billionaire mall developer and regular guest Richard Lugner.
Lugner's past guests have included singer Geri Halliwell and actors Larry Hagman and Pamela Anderson. This year, reality-TV star Kardashian is his main guest.
Fortunately, Miss Kardashian was nowhere near the fight when it broke out, choosing instead to watch the dancing from a VIP box.
The 33-year-old did, however, cause a stir of her own when she allegedly refused to dance with her sponsor - despite her reported $500,000 attendance fee.
According to RadarOnline , the 81-year-old told reporters during a photo call at his Lugner City mall that the reality star was not doing what he wanted.
'Kim is annoying me because she's not sticking to the program,' he said.
She later ditched her date and left the party early after she was approached by a white male who was working at the event with a 'black face' and began to mimic her fiance Kanye West.
Source : DailyMail, Reuters
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