On September 20, 2025, the Great National Lodge of Romania (MLNR) started the Masonic year 2025-2026 through a Viennese ball evening organized at the Bucharest National Opera. The first edition of the MLNR ball, dedicated to marking 145 years since the “Lights”, promises to become an annual tradition, continuing with the Gala of Excellence that will take place at the Romanian Athenaeum.
The MLNR Ball, the final moment, with the stars ovated on the open stage photo EVZ
MLNR has marked 145 years since its establishment or lighting-through an elegant show, which will be followed, at the end, by the Gala of Excellence, which will be held at the Romanian Athenaeum.
The event proposed to promote the Romanian cultural values and to strengthen the historical traditions, on an evening dedicated to unity, involvement and excellence.
Under the baton of conductor Daniel Jinga, the orchestra, choir and ballet of the Bucharest National Opera offered a complex program, which combined the most popular lyrical areas with spectacular dance and choreographic moments. International renowned artists, such as tenor Stefan Pop, soprano Anita Hartig, Mezzosoprano Maria Miron-Sîrbu, Bariton Iordache Basalic and Basul Iustinian Zetea have evolved on the stage.
The program of the evening included classic masterpieces, including:
- “One voice Poco Fa” – Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini)
- “La Donna è Mobile” – Rigoletto (Verdi)
- Moments from the Forza Del Destino (Verdi)
- “Habanera” – Carmen (Bizet)
- “O Soave Fanciulla” – La Bohème (Puccini)
- “Nessun Dorma” – Turandot (Puccini)
- “A Fortuna” – Carmina Burana (Orff)
- “Meine Lippen, Sie Küssen So Hey” – Giuditta (Lehár)
The MLNR Ball had a symbolic role, representing the connection between the Masonic tradition – concerned with light, harmony and development through culture – and the Romanian artistic scene, writes EVZ. By this first edition, the Great National Lodge in Romania has shown that tradition can be alive and relevant, giving the public a memorable evening of music, dance and elegance, and reaffirming its commitment to the Romanian cultural scene and prestigious artists.
