Viennese Opera Ball Tradition

The 70th VOB was fabulous!

We proudly celebrated the 70th Anniversary of the Viennese Opera Ball on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Cipriani 42nd Street.

Held under the gracious patronage of the President of the Republic of Austria H.E. Alexander Van der Bellen, the auspices of the U.S. Austrian Chamber of Commerce, and with the generous support of Honorary Gala Chair, Mayor & Governor of Vienna Michael Ludwig, Gala Chair Jean Shafiroff and Executive City Councillor Juergen Czernohorszky, we were proud to celebrate “A Magical Night, a Fairy Masquerade Ball” and the 270th anniversary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Inspired by The Magic Flute, we were pleased to transport guests into a world of elegance, enchantment, and timeless Viennese tradition. We also commemorated the 250th anniversary of the United States and celebrated the enduring friendship between Austria and America.

We were honored to welcome internationally acclaimed opera stars, including two-time Grammy Award-winner Angel Blue, two-time Grammy nominee Lawrence Brownlee, Hera Hyesang Park, Adam Smith and Golda Zahra, as well as prima ballerina, Liudmila Konovalova, principal dancer of the Vienna State Opera, whose extraordinary performances made the evening unforgettable. Accompanied by the Viennese Opera Ball Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Rainer Sulzgruber, and highlighted by the beautiful presentation of 16 debutantes and their escorts choreographed by Sandra Stockmayer of Dancing School Svabek, the evening reflected the grace, culture, and tradition that define the Ball.

To commemorate this special anniversary, we also proudly revived the long-cherished Viennese tradition of presenting commemorative fans to the ladies of the Ball, unveiling a newly designed fan created by Austrian artist Pablo Meier-Schomburg.

Over the past 70 years, the Viennese Opera Ball of New York has proudly supported numerous charitable and cultural organizations, including Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation, Carnegie Hall, Special Olympics, Ronald McDonald House, Feed Foundation, CARE, Central Park Conservancy, and SOS Children’s Villages. For the 70th anniversary, the Ball returned to its cultural roots with a renewed focus on supporting young musicians, emerging artists, and cultural initiatives in both countries, while preserving and promoting Austrian heritage in the United States. By fostering artistic excellence, preserving cultural heritage, and creating opportunities for young talent to develop and flourish, the Ball seeks to strengthen the enduring cultural dialogue between Austria and America and ensure the next generation of artists can continue to shape and elevate our shared cultural future.

Most importantly, we extend our deepest gratitude to all of our guests, sponsors, donors, partners, patrons, and supporters. Your generosity and dedication enable the Viennese Opera Ball to continue celebrating Austrian culture, music, heritage, and philanthropy for generations to come.

Our Sponsors:
Silver Sponsor Swarovski, City of Vienna, Esterházy-Foundation, Austrian Airlines, Erste Group Bank AG.

Dance studio partners:
Tanzschule Roman E. Svabek, Sandra Stockmayer and Roman SvabekImperial Ballroom Dance Center, Ruslan Wilder.

Wine Partners & Donors:
Weingut Schödl, Weingut Schloss Gobelsburg, Weingut Esterházy, Weingut Grassl and Weingut Domäne Wachau.

Donors for the auction or goodie bags:
Round Hill Hotel & Villas, A.E. Köchert, Sharon Wilkes, Solo for Diamonds, Amata, Hotel Imperial Vienna, Mariebelle New York, Hotel Stefanie Vienna, Christian Fuchs, Lobmeyr, Carolina Herrera, Olivia La Bomba, NY Tango Academy, Bibhu Mohapatra, Oscar de la Renta, Iryna Sosnovska Photography, Krysti Vo. MD, Care, Bradford Portraits, Neuhaus, Brooklyn Astrology, Drs. Scott and Christine Rodeo, Trapp Family Lodge, German International School New York, Peter Thomas Roth, Zum Schwarzen Kameel, Svabek Dance Studio Vienna, Gmundner Lodge, X-Cursions in Motion, Guerlain Wellness Spa & Boutique, Swarovski, Austrian Airlines, Marienkron Health Resort, Figlmüller, Augarten Wien, Gail Monaghan, Mehlspeis Moments by Baumgartner, Kajal Perfumes Paris, Figlia Jewelry for our Debutantes, Schloss Schönbrunn, Dr. Temt Skincare, Park Hotel Vienna, International Friends of Festival Verdi, Mandarin Oriental Vienna, Fer Da Silva, Chirstopher Brown President of the Board of GISNY, Riding Dinner Vienna, The Leo Grand Hotel Vienna, Madl, Pablo Meier Schomburg, Imperial Ballroom Dance Center, Tracie Martyn, Marlies Wagner, Hotel Krallerhof, Rogner Bad Blumau, Helga Wagner Palm Beach, Dolce & Gabbana, and Urth Caffe.

Partners:
Schloss Schönbrunn, IMZ International Music + Media Centre, Operabase, ÖAG Austro-American-Society, Austrian Chinese Music Academy and New York Rotary Club International.

Donors of desserts & liquor:
Pralines and Liquor by Mehlspeis Moments by Baumgartner, Aïda

Makeup services provided by dbora cosmetics.