66th Viennese Opera Ball
The 66th annual Viennese Opera Ball, the oldest and most prestigious outside of Vienna, was held at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City under the auspices of the US Austrian Chamber of Commerce. The music therapy program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center benefited from the gala, which was made possible by the Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research. Jean Shafiroff, a philanthropist, served as the evening's Gala chair. Sylvia Hemingway and Peter Thomas Roth served as vice chairs. A special thanks goes to Ernst Woller, President of the Vienna Provincial Parliament, and the City of Vienna for their ongoing support.
Some notable attendees included: President of the Viennese Opera Ball Silvia Frieser, event chair and philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, Artistic Director of the Viennese Opera Ball Daniel Serafin, President of the Vienna Provincial Parliament Ernst Woller, Peter Thomas Roth, Martin Shafiroff, Winemaker Leo Hillinger, owner of A.E. Köchert Jewelers Wolfgang Koechert, Iurii Samoilov, Carolina López Moreno, Emily Mohr, Cole Rumbough, Patricia Shiah, Mrs. Brookfield, Ana Stone, Scott Stone, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, Maria Fishel, Kenneth Fishel, Maribel Lieberman, Nicole Salmasi, Alice Lutz, Annabel Oreste.
The evening began with a delicious VIP cocktail hour, which was followed by the formal presentation. The celebration began with their Debutantes, just as it did in Europe. This year's ball had the theme "A Night of Love," with the goal of sending peace and love to their guests and the world, as well as celebrating the love and friendship of Austrian-American friends and connections. To emphasize the night's theme, Royal Flowers, in collaboration with Luz Flora, donated 20,000 red roses. To raise funds for Caritas Ukraine, a donation table was set up.
The Viennese Opera Ball welcomed a new Austrian wine sponsor, Leo Hillinger Wine, for the first time. Leo Hillinger, a winemaker, was also present at the ball. Another event sponsor was A.E. Köchert, and its owner, Mr. Wolfgang Koechert, who presented the magnificent diamond 'Sisi' star brooch at the live auction.
Carolina López Moreno, Iurii Samoilov, Johanna Will, Matthew White, and Donata D'Annunzio Lombardi were among the opera stars who performed at the 66th Viennese Opera Ball. Iurii Samoilov also sang a moving tribute to his homeland Ukraine, singing a folk song to remind guests of the terrible situation in Ukraine, the importance of remembering what is going on in that part of the world, and to help raise funds throughout the evening. Vinicius Kattah conducted the Viennese Opera Ball Orchestra.
Jean Shafiroff and Martin Shafiroff
Leo Hillinger, Silvia Frieser, Ernst Woeller, Wolfgang Koechert
8 West Point Cadets
The annual white-tie charity gala celebrates Austria and America's cultural and economic ties, bringing two continents, two cities, and two centuries together in one glamorous evening. It was founded 66 years ago as a tribute to both their former hometown Vienna and their host city, New York, by Austrian immigrants to the United States. The gala draws an international audience of diplomats and dignitaries, international corporations, and professionals.
Photos by Patrick McMullan
