The 63nd Viennese Opera Ball

Feb 6

Feb 6 The 63nd Viennese Opera Ball

The 63rd Viennese Opera Ball took place on February 2nd, 2018, at the legendary and newly reopened Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. The annual white tie charity gala celebrates the cultural and economic relationships between Austria and America, connecting two continents, two cities and two centuries in one glamorous night. Founded by Austrians immigrating to the United States more than 63 years ago, the night is a tribute to both their former home town,Vienna, and their new host city, New York.

Widely considered as one of New York City’s greatest annual events, the celebration has garnered international media coverage for more than five decades. The white tie attire, considered the most formal dress code, calls for all gentlemen to be outfitted in white tie and tailcoats with decorations, and for all the ladies wear long floor-length ball gowns and opera gloves.

Regarded as the most prestigious and oldest Viennese Opera Ball outside of Vienna, the festival drew a global audience that included diplomats and dignitaries, international corporations and celebrities. There event was nothing short of magnificent; and with four generations of guests, the Ball reflects the universal appeal of Austria’s traditional and culinary treasures.

Each year the Viennese Opera Ball supports charitable projects that are connected to communities in New York or Vienna. The proceeds of the 63rd Viennese Opera Ball will benefit the music therapy program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center with the support from Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research.

The gala evening featured Opera, Classical Music and Ballroom Dancing including, of course, Waltzing. One popular highlight was the Midnight Quadrille, conducted by Ms. Stockmayer.

The Ball opened with the Grand March of Dignitaries and Diplomats. The ceremonial tone of the Ball Opening continued with the Presentation and Posting of the Flags by a West Point Cadet Color Guard. Mr. Serafin then welcomed and thanked the debutantes, escorts and guests, before ballet dancers entered and performed accompanied by the orchestra, Divertimento Viennese. René Pape, operatic Bass and two-time Grammy Award Winner, then performed Le veau d’or from Faust by Gounod.

The Debutantes and Escorts then made their entrance, led by choreographer Sandra Stockmayer, who also acts as choreographer for the Vienna Opera Ball. The program continued with the Presentation of Debutantes and their dance Escorts. A choreographed waltz routine by young ballroom dance couples is followed by a call for "Alles Walzer!" (Everyone Dance!) and guests joined the dancers for the first official waltz of the Ball.

The Ball was literally a celebration from night till the break of dawn. Following a champagne reception, the Ball ran from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., and included a four-course dinner. The guests gained new strength at the late-night Austrian specialty buffet after a long evening of fête. The “Tanz Bar” (post-Ball party) followed from 1:00 to 4:00 a.m, and included a full buffet supper with the Viennese Opera Ball's Signature Goulash Soup, as well as multiple venues featuring: a DJ, Vienna Coffee House with Viennese pastries, and a Casino.

The event hosted nearly 400 guests including Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Peter Thomas Roth, CEO, Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Skin Care, Viennese Opera Ball Executive Director Silvia Frieser, Actress Selenis Leyva, Designer Nicole Miller, Two time Grammy winner Rene Pape, and International Committee member Laine Siklos, among others, all praised the debutantes and performers, and noted the event’s importance to the social and cultural fabric of New York City.