Tradition, culture and glamour were at play at the 56th Vienna Opera Ball which opened at the State Opera House in Vienna on Thursday.

Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu opened the Opera Ball before the excited crowd of 7,000 opera lovers.

The audience was a mix of actors, fashion personalities, politicians and business men from across the world.

Guests at the opera house include Danish actress Brigitte Nielsen, former James Bond star Roger Moore, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Austrian President Heinz Fischer.

Have a look at the Vienna Opera Ball:

Vienna Opera Ball
Dancers of the state opera ballett perform during the opening ceremony of the traditional Opera Ball (Opernball) in Vienna, February 16, 2012. Reuters
Vienna Opera Ball
Dancers of the state opera ballett perform during the opening ceremony of the traditional Opera Ball (Opernball) in Vienna, February 16, 2012. Reuters
Vienna Opera Ball
Soprano singer Angela Gheorghiu performs during during the opening ceremony of the traditional Opera Ball (Opernball) in Vienna, February 16, 2012. Reuters
Vienna Opera Ball
Dancers of the state opera ballett perform during the opening ceremony of the traditional Opera Ball (Opernball) in Vienna, February 16, 2012. Reuters
Vienna Opera Ball
Danish actress Brigitte Nielsen poses during a photo opportunity ahead of the traditional Opera Ball in Vienna, February 16, 2012. Reuters
Vienna Opera Ball
Margit Fischer, Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Yoo Soon-taek and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (L-R) pose during the traditional Opera Ball (Opernball) in Vienna, February 16, 2012. Reuters
Vienna Opera Ball
Members of the opening committe dance during the opening ceremony of the traditional Opera Ball (Opernball) in Vienna, February 16, 2012. Reuters
Vienna Opera Ball
A general view of the state opera during the traditional Opera Ball in Vienna Reuters
Vienna Opera Ball
Spectators watch the arrivals of guests at the traditional Opera Ball (Opernball) in front of the state opera house in Vienna, February 16, 2012. Reuters
Vienna Opera Ball
Former German soccer player Lothar Matthaeus (L) and his girlfriend Joanna Tuczynska arrive at the traditional Opera Ball (Opernball) in Vienna, February 16, 2012. Reuters