Vienna Opera Ball 2025 Unveils Bernstein, Shostakovich and a Green Twist
The 68th Vienna Opera Ball will take place on February 12, continuing a tradition that began 156 years ago. This year's event, themed around a painting by late Austrian artist Arnulf Rainer, will be broadcast live on ORF 2 starting at 8:15 p.m., with the grand opening scheduled for 9:40 p.m.
The Opera Ball's musical programme was unveiled by Opera Director Bogdan Roščić and Ballet Director Alessandra Ferri. Performances will include selections from Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story, Dmitri Shostakovich's Suite for Variety Orchestra, and Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata. South African soprano Pretty Yende and French tenor Benjamin Bernheim are set to take the stage.
The event's motif, *Black Velvet, Red Silk*, draws inspiration from Arnulf Rainer's artwork. Unlike standard press conferences, the media preview was a formal affair, reflecting the ball's prestigious nature. This year's Opera Ball also meets Austria's environmental criteria, earning certification as a 'Green Event'. First held in 1870, the Vienna Opera Ball has long been a highlight of the city's social calendar. Originally an elite gathering during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it evolved through interruptions during the World Wars before being revived in the post-war years.
The ball will be televised live, beginning with coverage at 8:15 p.m. and the official opening at 9:40 p.m. The event combines high culture, tradition, and sustainability, maintaining its status as one of Vienna's most celebrated occasions.
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