On Friday night the annual 67th Viennese Opera Ball returned to NYC where socialites and tastemakers from the NYC fashion scene as well as the Austrian community in NYC and some special musical guests came together to celebrate the 67th year of this special tradition as well as raise money for Gabriel's Angels Foundation a cancer charity founded by Denise Rich. The Austrian Ambassador to the US Dr. Scheenbauer also attended as well as several other members from the Austrian delegation including Peter Hanke the Executive City Councillor for Vienna. Other notable guests included Nicole Miller NYC fashion designer, Sasha Prendas pop singer, and Jean Shafiroff who co-chaired the gala with Denise Rich.
The night also featured a special treat for guests with performances from Met Opera stars Stephen Costello, Joyce El-Khoury, and Nathalie Pena Comas. Stephen Costello performed his solo from La Boheme which he stars in at the Met Opera and then the trio performed an amazing song together.
Afterwards guests enjoyed a live auction to raise money for Gabriel's Angels and and then ballroom dancing started.
A beautiful choreography to the Carmen Quadrille by Eduard Strauss was designed for the opening performance of the debutantes and escorts by Vienna Dance School Svabek, headed by Sandra Stockmayer and Roman Svabek. Later guests participated in a group lesson of the midnight Quadrille and then the live orchestra played waltz music “A Night inspired by ‘Carmen’”, from the opera Carmen by Bizet led under the artistic direction of Daniel Serafin with Austrian conductor, Maestro Vinicius Kattah until the afterparty where guests enjoyed traditional Austrian treats and more dancing!
The event brought together fashion and diplomacy to highlight the strong ties between the two cities of NYC and Vienna and guests got to experience much cultural exchange during the galmourous affair. Everyone came dressed in their most fashionable formal eveningwear as the dress code was white tie. Many guests opted for fun accessories such as elbow length gloves, capes, and even tiaras. Sequins, and princess dress cuts were definitely trending. Both Austrian and New York design influences and tastemakers came together on the red carpet Friday night when designer Nicole Miller wore a dress she designed herself and Austrian fashion designer Carolin Sinemus also attended in a fabulous outfit inspired by Austrian design influences.
The night ended with a great DJ and afterparty as well as a champagne toast to another successful Viennese Opera Ball.
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