For the sixth time in a row, the ceremonial opening of the 120th ZuckerBäckerball will be decorated with a performance by the venerable "Vereinigung Wiener Staatsopernballett". The solo dancers Irina Tsymbal and Mihail Sosnovschi dance a light and amusing waltz choreographed by Lukas Gaudernak.
The top-class ensemble will perform a cheerful and atmospheric waltz to the sounds of "Roses from the South" (op. 388) - from the operetta "The Queen's Lace Handkerchief" by Johann Strauss (son). Eight corps de ballet couples in flowing white/silver tulle dresses will also dance on the floor, accompanying the solo couple.
The waltz performance, one of the great highlights of the ball night, will take place at 9 p.m. as part of the ceremonial ball opening in the ballroom of the Wiener Hofburg. The opening will also be broadcast live in the ceremonial hall of Hofburg.
“ROSES FROM THE SOUTH”
For the sixth time in a row, ZuckerBäckerball will open with a ballet performance to the sounds of Johann Strauss Sohn. The premiere of the waltz “Roses from the South (op. 388)” took place on November 7, 1880 in the Wiener Musikverein by Eduard Strauss.
The lively music of this waltz, rich in melodies, is ideal for opening one of the most important balls in Vienna.
Previous opening ballets at the ZuckerBäckerball:
2016: "Roses from the South, Opus 388" by Johann Strauss (son), danced by the solo dancers Ketevan Papava and Eno Peci
2017: "Treasure Waltz, Opus 418" by Johann Strauss (son), danced by the solo dancers Anastasia Markina (temporarily replacing the absent Ketevan Papava) and Roman Lazik
2018: “Lagoon Waltz, Opus 411” by Johann Strauss (son), danced by solo dancers Alice Firenze and Mihail Sosnovschi
2019: " Aquarellen, Opus 258" by Johann Strauss (son), danced by the solo dancers Ketevan Papava and Eno Peci
2020: "Accelerationen Waltz, Opus 234" by Johann Strauss (son), danced by the solo dancers Maria Yakovleva and Denys Cherevychko
VIDEO PORTRAIT OF IRINA TSYMBAL
Solo dancer Irina Tsymbal will perform at the ZuckerBäckerball for the first time.
VIDEO PORTRAIT OF MIHAIL SOSNOVSCHI
Solo dancer Mihail Sosnovschi will perform at the ZuckerBäckerball for the second time after 2018.
CHOREOGRAPHY BY LUKAS GAUDERNAK
© Andreas Jakwerth
The choreographer has been a member of the ensemble of the Vienna State Opera since 1987. At the beginning of the 2006/07 season, in addition to his duties as a dancer, he also worked as a rehearsal director for the ballet of the Vienna State Opera and Volksoper.
In 2009 he was appointed rehearsal and production manager of the ballet of the Vienna State Opera and Volksoper. In 2020 he was appointment Ballet Master.
In June 1994 he presented his first choreography as part of the Young Choreographers Ballet Workshop. Numerous commissioned works followed at the Vienna State and Volksoper, as well as commissioned choreographies for ball openings and television recordings.
Another focus of his work is the choreographic collaboration in opera and operetta productions at the Salzburg Festival, the Bregenz Festival, the Royal Opera House London and the New Israeli Opera Tel Aviv.
In addition to his regular work as a choreographic assistant for the ballet interludes of the Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert, he has been responsible for the choreography of the ballet at the Ball der Wiener Kaffeesieder since 2006 and for the New Year's Eve Ball in the Vienna Hofburg since 2013. In 2017 he designed the ballet interlude at Vienna’s Opera Ball.
He will be responsible for the opening choreography at the ZuckerBäckerball for the sixth time.
BALL TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE
Ball tickets for the 120th ZuckerBäckerball on January 12, 2023 are still available. Secure your ticket online.