Jean Shafiroff Hosts Kick-Off Cocktail Reception For The 69th Annual Viennese Opera Ball

The 69th Annual Viennese Opera Ball returns to Cipriani 42nd Street on May 9. This year’s gala was launched formally at a kick-off cocktail reception hosted by philanthropist, TV host, and author Jean Shafiroff at her Park Avenue home.

“I am delighted to host this kick-off party for the 69th Viennese Opera Ball. As co-chair, along with Denise Rich, for many years, I can say that the Ball will be spectacular, especially as we are excited to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Johann Strauss II,” said Shafiroff.

During the event, Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright honored Shafiroff and the Viennese Opera Ball with citations recognizing the cultural and economic ties between Austria and the United States and Austria’s legacy of tradition, music, and art. Co-chair and past honoree Jean Shafiroff and Executive Director Silvia Frieser accepted the meaningful recognition on behalf of the Ball. Shafiroff received an additional citation in recognition of her ongoing philanthropic work and extraordinary contributions to the Viennese Opera Ball.

The evening included a performance by acclaimed soprano Johanna Will, also featured in the upcoming Viennese Opera Ball. She captivated guests with two arias: “Marietta’s Song” from Korngold’s The Dead City and “Song to the Moon” from Taeuschak’s Rusalka.

This year’s Ball honors the enduring legacy of one of the world’s great musical geniuses. Known as the “Waltz King,” Johann Strauss II was an Austrian composer who was celebrated for creating iconic works such as The Blue Danube, Tales from the Vienna Woods, and the operetta Die Fledermaus.

The 69th Annual Viennese Opera Ball promises to be filled with culture, tradition, spectacular waltzes, exquisite gastronomy, breathtaking ballet, extraordinary opera performances, a midnight Quadrille, and other exciting surprises. The event supports advancing cancer research through Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research.

The reception attendees included Silvia Frieser, Consul General of Austria Mrs. Helene Steinhaeusl, Huber Heiss, Edgar Batista, Liliana Cavendish, Princess Caroline Murat – Caroline Haffner, Luiza Petre, Stephane Ruffier Meray, Gabby Ortega, Rebecca Seawright, Maribel Lieberman, Emily Mohr, Alexandra McCabe, Diana Bocsha, David Hochberg,  Nicole Noonan and Steven Knobel, Roy Kean, Cornelia Bregman, Pamela Morgan and Angel Pai.