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Viennese Opera Ball New York 2025

On February 9, 2025 I served as conductor and lead violinist at the glamorous Viennese Opera Ball in New York City. The ball took place at the impressive Cipriani 42nd Street — one of the city's most elegant venues — and brought together guests from the arts, culture, diplomacy and business to celebrate the Austrian ball tradition in the heart of Manhattan.

Under the artistic direction of Daniel Serafin, who passionately shapes the ball as a bridge between Austria and the USA, the evening offered a musically high-calibre and socially significant programme.

I had the great pleasure of leading the orchestra musically throughout the evening — both from the conductor's podium and as a standing violinist in the Viennese ball-music tradition. The evening's musical frame was enriched by an exceptional ensemble of international singers:

• J'Nai Bridges

• Daniel Berryman

• Maritina Tampakopoulos

• Mikayla Sager

• Adam Smith

• Johanna Will

Together we presented a festive repertoire of opera, operetta and classical Viennese music — accompanied by dance, charm and an international audience.

The Viennese Opera Ball is more than a social event: it is a cultural ambassador of Austria in the USA and a celebration of the beauty of classical music. It was a great honour for me to be part of this special evening.

Ball season 2025

The 2025 ball season offered numerous musical highlights.

As lead violinist and conductor I performed at notable events such as the Zuckerbäckerball, the Jägerball and the Ball of the Vienna Philharmonic in the Musikverein.

At the Philharmonic Ball in Essen (Germany) I shared the stage with star violinist Daniel Hope. I was responsible for the musical direction of the evening — a special pleasure to artistically shape this long-standing event.

China tour 2024

In April 2024 I completed a successful tour of China with the VIENNA Strings.

With a varied programme we acted as ambassadors of Austrian culture presenting works from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to Johann Strauss. We also cooperated with Chinese musicians such as Lu Jing, performing traditional Chinese pieces and several world premieres.

A particular highlight was the Chinese premiere of the famous violin concerto "Butterfly Lovers" by He Zhanhao adapted for guzheng and chamber ensemble in the Shanghai Symphony Hall.

Ball season 2023

I am pleased that after a one-year COVID break the 2023 ball season was able to take place again.

With the Steubl Ball Orchestra I performed at the Zuckerbäckerball, Blumenball, Ball of the Vienna Philharmonic, Ball of Industry and Technology and the Jägerball in Vienna.

In February we also shaped the Philharmonic Ball in Essen.

All information can be found on my events page.

Floating Concerts 2021

The VIENNA Strings were also part of the Floating Concerts on the Alte Donau in summer 2021. In the world's first floating concert hall we presented highlights from Mozart to Strauss.

All information can be found on my events page.

Floating Concerts on the Alte Donau

I am pleased to regularly perform concerts with the VIENNA Strings on the first floating concert stage in the world. An octagonal platform becomes a stage to which island and sofa boats dock with the audience.

"It is time for Vienna to live up to its reputation as a music capital again," says boat builder Dr. Martin Mai. "Crazy times like these need new ideas. An outdoor floating concert meets all safety regulations. In addition there is a unique acoustic and a holiday feeling — right in the middle of the city."

After a successful premiere on June 23, 2020, I look forward to further concerts in July and August featuring highlights from Baroque, Classical and Viennese music.

All information can be found on my events page.

Court concert during the Corona crisis

Thanks to the initiative of the artistic director of the Mörbisch Seefestspiele, Peter Edelmann, and his wife Silvia Saavedra-Edelmann, I was able to play on April 30, 2020 with the Vienna Strings in the newly created series "Court Concerts" initiated under the Covid-19 regulations.

Together with Andreja Zidarič, Christoph Filler, Paul Schweinester and Gregor Hanke we presented a musical evening in an inner courtyard in Vienna's 8th district, where the audience could attend from windows and balconies.

Brazil tour 2019

Invited by the Austrian Embassy, I toured Brazil with the VIENNA Strings in October 2019. In addition to concerts with a typically Austrian programme in São Paulo, Mariana, Brasília and Vitória, we enjoyed a successful collaboration with Brazilian harmonica player Pablo Fagundes.