On May 10, 2024, the 68th Annual Viennese Opera Ball (VOB) took place in New York City’s Plaza Hotel. Hundreds of guests from Austria, the U.S. and other countries attended this glamorous event celebrating the Austrian-American friendship.

The Austrian Ambassador to the United States, Petra Schneebauer, and NYC Deputy Commissioner for International Affairs Kristen Kaufman underlined the close relations between the two countries and, more specifically, between the cities of Vienna and New York.

After this year’s 12 debutante couples performed a dance choreography and Viennese Waltz, “Alles Walzer” was announced, officially opening of the Ball. Grammy Award winners Leah Crocetto and Lucas Meachem, as well as opera stars Limmie Pulliam, Christian Pursell and Johanna Will performed incredible arias inspired by the night’s theme: Giuseppe Verdi’s opera “Aida.” The beneficiary of the gala was Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research raising funds for the music therapy program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

One day prior to the Ball, Consul General Helene Steinhäusl hosted a reception at the Austrian Consulate General in New York to welcome the organizers of the ball, as well as this year's debutante couples with their families and friends.

Event Gallery: All photos by David Plakke.