The 65th Viennese Opera Ball Kickoff
Once upon a time the oldest Royal houses in Austria and Europe celebrated a traditional white-tie charity gala where beautiful debutantes and other elegant invitees danced the Polonaise and Alles Walzer, followed by performances from opera stars and a full orchestra. When the clock strikes midnight, a Quadrille enlivens the dance floor until the wee hours.
Save the date for The 65th Viennese Opera Ball will take place at Cipriani 42 Street on February 7th, 2020 in Manhattan. Supporters and admirers of le fin de sicle glamour gathered for a soiree at an Upper Eastside penthouse for The Viennese Opera Ball kickoff on the evening of November 18th.
The ball theme Nessun Donna which means none shall sleep befits a royal night of rivalry for a good cause. Just like in Europe, the celebration boasts both music and dance, with a Midnight Quadrille that enlivens the dance floor until 4am.
Semper fabulous Gala cochair Jean Shafiroff was in residence who will be joined at the Ball by Chairs Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research founder Denise Rich and Elisabeth Muhr. Board member of the Viennese Opera Ball Sabine Riglos was sexy as she is gracious to guests at her home. Waiters passed trays of delicious bites of Austrian cuisine from Vienna Calling that everyone enjoyed with flutes of champagne.
Charming guests mingled with Nathan Lee Graham, who will emcee the upcoming Ball, Chair Host Committee members Janna Bullock, Joanna Fisher, Ana Saucedo and Marisa Rose van Bokhorst, Junior Chairs Colgate Rumbough and Emily Mohr, and Board Member Stefan Oehner as well as Audra Asencio, Leszek Barwinski-Brown (CEO, Lang Lang International Music Foundation), Maestro Alvise Casellati, Adrian Danchig-Waring (principal dancer, NYC Ballet), Michael Friedl, Franz Gerhardter, Eric Huebscher, and Catherine Leung.
The evening featured two musical artists who performed after the welcoming speeches of Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research CEO, Jen Raniri, and Associate Director of Development, Michele Keene.
They stressed the importance of the musical therapy program for cancer patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering through Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research.
“The Viennese Opera Ball is one of the highlights of the annual charity season for Austrian Americans, with performances by extraordinary opera singers and musicans” said artistic director Daniel Serafin as he introduced the musical performances. providing a taste of what’s to come at the 65th Viennese Opera Ball.
The Juilliard trained violinist Anastasiia Mazurok performed a solo by Bach. Mezzo soprano Opera star Nicole Piccolomini, gave a virtuoso performance of “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” from Bizet’s Carmen.
Silvia Frieser, Vienna Opera Ball president and executive director said, “With it’s long-standing tradition of 65 consecutive years, the Viennese Opera Ball demonstrates that the ballroom and the dance floor is the best platform for cultural exchange between distinguished guests and nations.”
Revelers left with a gift bag of Erno Laszlo skincare and a jeroboam of Mozart chocolate liquor. Out into the November night they went dancing with thoughts of waltzes, tiaras and white ties with black tails.
