69th Viennese Opera Ball Viennese Opera was held at the iconic Cipriani 42nd Street for an unforgettable evening of culture, tradition, and timeless music—cementing its place as one of the most anticipated events on New York City’s social calendar. This year’s gala held special significance as it honored the 200th anniversary of the birth of Johann Strauss II, the legendary “Waltz King.”
Jean Shafiroff, Denise Rich, Silvia Frieser (Photo Credit: BFA / Jiraurd Key)
Co-chaired by Jean Shafiroff and Denise Rich, the evening benefited two notable causes: Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research and the music therapy program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Upholding its longstanding tradition, the Ball once again intertwined philanthropy with the performing arts.
The evening commenced with the elegant presentation of debutantes and their escorts, choreographed by Sandra Stockmayer of Vienna’s Svabek Dance School. This was followed by a captivating ballet performance featuring Christine Shevchenko, Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre, alongside young talents from the Rock School of Dance and members of the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), presented in partnership with the Ballet Support Foundation.
A highlight of the 69th Viennese Opera Ball was a series of stunning performances by world-renowned opera stars including María Barakova, two-time Grammy Award winner J’Nai Bridges, Adam Smith, Mikayla Sager, Daniel Berryman, Aigul Akhmetshina, Maritina Tampakopoulos, and Johanna Will. Guests were treated to a lavish Viennese-inspired dinner paired with exquisite Austrian wines, followed by waltzing to the music of the Viennese Opera Ball Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Rainer Sulzgruber. The night continued with the traditional midnight Quadrille and a lively after-party featuring a DJ and classic Austrian fare.
Atmosphere (Photo Credit: BFA / Jiraurd Key)
Notable guests in attendance included: Denise Rich, Jean Shafiroff, Silvia Frieser, Sabine Riglos (Honoree and Board Member), Stefan Ottrubay (Chairman of the Board, Esterházy Foundation), Petra Schneebauer (Austrian Ambassador to the United States), Thomas Schlesinger (Austrian Consul-General) and Susanne Keppler-Schlesinger (Austrian Cultural Forum NY), Ernst Woller (President, Vienna Provincial Parliament), Peter Hanke (Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, Republic of Austria), Dominik Nepp (Vienna City Council), Klaus Panholzer (Schloss Schönbrunn), Austrian painter Pablo Meier-Schomburg and Camillo Stepanek, fashion designer Carolin Sinemus (Madl, Salzburg), Julia Haart, Michael Spinks, Maribel Lieberman, TV personality Star Jones, Elizabeth Segerstrom, William and Liliana Cavendish, Rebecca Seawright, David Hochberg, Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, Lulu Sezercan Dalkanat, and Lola Abigail Koch.
Atmosphere – Presentation of the Colors (Photo Credit: Bonnie Gillis Photography)
The event was generously supported by sponsors including the City of Vienna, Erste Group Bank AG, Esterházy Foundation, Austrian Airlines, A.E. Köchert, Schloss Schönbrunn, and Stifel. In-kind donors included IKRAA Caviar, Grande Cosmetics, Augarten, Madl, Peter Thomas Roth Skincare, Trapp Family Lodge and Brewery, Mariebelle New York, Pauli of Vienna, Dr. TEMT Skincare, Riding Dinner Vienna, 2 Bites Chocolates, Aida, Asprey, Bradford Portraits, EuropeanDeli.com, Figlmüller Group, Gail Monaghan, Gems by Christine, Gmundner Keramik, Helga Wagner, Hotel Leo Grand, Hotel Sacher, Julius Meinl, J. & L. Lobmeyr, Hotel Krallerhof, LoveShackFancy, Oscar de la Renta, Park Hyatt, Round Hill Jamaica, Salem Golf Club, and Sharon Wilkes. The Ball also showcased works by artists Pablo Meier-Schomburg, Marlies Wagner, FJ Baur, Camillo Stepanek, Eva Petrič, and Fer Da Silva, and featured wines from Austrian vintners Christ, Schloss Gobelsburg, Esterházy, and TAT2 Bourbon.
Photo by Charles Wills
Photo by Charles Wills
About the Viennese Opera Ball
Founded in 1955, the Viennese Opera Ball has served as a cultural ambassador for Austria, bringing the elegance, music, and traditions of Vienna to New York City. It acts as a platform that bridges continents, generations, and backgrounds—offering a touch of 19th-century Viennese grandeur in the heart of the modern metropolis.
Star Jones (Photo Credit: BFA / Jiraurd Key)
Mirabel Lieberman (Photo Credit: BFA / Jiraurd Key)
Photo by Charles Wills