On January 16, 2025, the grand opening of the 122nd ZuckerBäckerball promises guests an evening of dazzling artistry and elegance. Alongside an enchanting vocal performance by musical star Maya Hakvoort, this year's recipient of the Prominent Cake, the Association of Vienna State Opera Ballet will once again captivate with a performance of the highest calibre. Set to the lively melodies of Josef Strauss, this exquisite ballet is sure to be one of the evening's most unforgettable highlights.
A Dazzling Opening by the Association of Vienna State Opera Ballet
For the eighth consecutive time, the grand opening of the ZuckerBäckerball will be elevated by the esteemed Association of Vienna State Opera Ballet. This year, two distinguished soloists from the renowned ensemble, Rebecca Horner and Mihail Sosnovschi, will take center stage.
Accompanied by eight pairs of the Corps de Ballet, the duo will weave a tapestry of grace, elegance, and intoxicating waltz ecstasy to the strains of “Mein Lebenslauf ist Lieb’ und Lust!” by Josef Strauss (Op. 263).
As choreographer Lukas Gaudernak explains, this waltz is a true homage to Vienna’s dance tradition:
"With its five waltz themes, magnificent coda, artful musical crescendos, and brilliant finale, this piece is tailor-made to inaugurate one of Vienna’s most splendid balls."
The ladies of the Corps de Ballet will glide across the floor in glittering silver ball gowns, while their gentlemen, adorned in classic tails, complete the tableau of timeless elegance. There could be no more fitting prelude for the ZuckerBäckerball!
The waltz performance, one of the ball night’s crowning highlights, will take place at 9:00 PM in the Festsaal of the Vienna Hofburg. It will also be broadcast live to the Ceremonial Hall and streamed on our Facebook page.
Song: “Mein Lebenslauf ist Lieb’ und Lust!” (Op. 263)
Josef Strauss, the younger brother of the more famous Johann Strauss II, created a masterpiece of Viennese dance music with “Mein Lebenslauf ist Lieb’ und Lust!” (Op. 263)—a work that is unparalleled in its elegance, lightness, and emotional depth. The title alone evokes a poetic yearning: a reflection on what makes life worth living—love and joy. Premiered in 1861, this waltz embodies the optimistic spirit so characteristic of the Strauss dynasty’s music, inviting listeners to forget the everyday and immerse themselves in the beauty of the moment.
The piece begins with a tender introduction, almost like a private thought—as if Josef Strauss were contemplating life in a quiet moment. This subdued melody gradually unfolds, leading to the main waltz theme, which soars with a buoyant lightness and a near-dance-like grace.
The waltz is akin to a conversation between instruments: at times cheerful, at times reflective, and then exuberant once more. Josef Strauss masterfully captures the interplay of emotions that define human existence—a journey through highs and lows, always underpinned by an enduring melody of optimism.
From its inception, “Mein Lebenslauf ist Lieb’ und Lust!” was a highlight of Vienna’s ball season. To this day, it remains an indispensable part of every classical Viennese ball—a musical ambassador of romance and joie de vivre. It transports its audience to a time when the world turned to the rhythm of a three-quarter beat and the art of waltzing transformed life into a celebration.
Portrait: Rebecca Horner
© Andreas Jakwerth
Vienna-born Rebecca Horner began her ballet training at the tender age of four at Performing Center Austria. In 1995, she was discovered for a lead role in a film, leading to further cinematic projects and appearances on Austrian television (ORF). Continuing her ballet studies at the Vienna State Opera Ballet School, she joined the Vienna State Opera and Volksoper Ballet in 2007. Horner rose to demi-soloist in 2015 and became a soloist in 2017.
A dancer of exceptional talent, Horner has been the recipient of numerous accolades, including the Goldener Roy (1997), the Ballet Club of the Vienna State Opera and Volksoper Award (2015), and the Black Austrian Award for Arts and Culture (2018). In 2019, she received the prestigious Fanny Elssler Ring. For this occasion, she performed the solo “Seit ich ihn gesehen”, choreographed especially for her by Andrey Kaydanovskiy.
Through her versatility and artistic excellence, Rebecca Horner continues to shape the Vienna ballet scene, enchanting audiences at the highest level.
Portrait: Mihail Sosnovschi
© Wiener Staatsoper GmbH - Michael Pöhn
Born in Chișinău, Moldova, Mihail Sosnovschi is an outstanding dancer trained at the Ballet Academy in Moldova and the Conservatory of Vienna.
His professional career began in 2000 with Le Jeune Ballet de France. In 2001, he returned to Vienna as a member of the Vienna State Opera Ballet, rising to demi-soloist in 2003 and soloist in 2010.
Sosnovschi has performed across Europe and overseas, earning numerous awards, including the First Prize at the ÖTR Contest (2001), the Grand Prix at the Concours International de Danse de Luxembourg (2001), the Karl Musil Memorial Prize (2016), the Premio Capri Danza (2017), and Moldova’s highest cultural honor, the Gloria Muncii Award (2018).
Since 2019, he has served as President of the Association of Vienna State Opera Ballet. Endearingly known as “Mischa” among his colleagues, he is a cherished figure in Vienna’s dance history, with regular appearances at the Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Concert (17 times) and the Vienna Opera Ball (14 times).
Choreography by Lukas Gaudernak
© Andreas Jakwerth
A member of the Vienna State Opera Ballet since 1987, Lukas Gaudernak has earned renown for his versatility and artistic expertise. In the 2006/07 season, he took on additional responsibilities as a ballet master for the Vienna State Opera and Volksoper. In 2022, he was appointed ballet master, underscoring his prominent role in Vienna’s ballet scene.
Gaudernak's choreographic debut came in 1994 at the Ballet Workshop for Young Choreographers. Since then, he has completed numerous commissions for the Vienna State Opera and Volksoper, as well as for prestigious ballet openings and television productions. His choreographic work has also enriched opera and operetta productions, including at the Salzburg Festival, the Bregenz Festival, the Royal Opera House in London, and the New Israeli Opera in Tel Aviv.
Renowned for his collaboration with the Vienna Philharmonic, Gaudernak contributes annually as a choreographic assistant for the ballet performances of the New Year’s Concert. For the ZuckerBäckerball, he has choreographed the opening performance for the eighth time. His creations, marked by elegance, creativity, and a deep reverence for Vienna’s ball tradition, guarantee unforgettable moments on the dance floor.
Overview of ballets by Vereinigung Wiener Staatsopernballett beim ZuckerBäckerball
2016: „Rosen aus dem Süden, Opus 388“ von Johann Strauss (Son), danced by solo dancers Ketevan Papava and Eno Peci
2017: „Schatzwalzer, Opus 418“ von Johann Strauss (Son), danced by solo dancers Anastasia Markina (replaced Ketevan Papava who had to cancel on short term) and Roman Lazik
2018: „Lagunen-Walzer, Opus 411“ von Johann Strauss (Son), danced by solo dancers Alice Firenze and Mihail Sosnovschi
2019: „Aquarell-Walzer, Opus 258“ von Johann Strauss (Son), danced by solo dancers Ketevan Papava and Eno Peci
2020: „Accelerationen Walzer, Opus 234“ von Johann Strauss (Son), danced by solo dancers Maria Yakovleva and Denys Cherevychko
2023: „Rosen aus dem Süden, Opus 388“ von Johann Strauss (Son), danced by solo dancers Irina Tsymbal and Mihail Sosnovschi
2024: „Gold und Silber Walzer“ von Franz Lehár, danced by solo dancers Liudmila Konovalova and Mihail Sosnovschi