NEW YORK, NY(SMI-ENTERTAINMENT-ARTS-PHILANTHROPY-MAY 13-15)-The Viennese Opera Ball of New York celebrated its  2023-67th annual White-Tie benefit gala last Friday's evening honoring renowned US/New York philanthropist and book author " Jean Shafiroff " on benefit of Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research with the theme entitled " A Night inspired by Carmen " at the Iconic "The Plaza Hotel " in New York City.


The Viennese Opera Ball of New York is an annual white-tie benefit gala known for being the oldest and most celebrated charity gala outside Vienna. The ball was founded in 1955 by Austrian Immigrants to honor both their former hometown city of Vienna and New York City and celebrate the interchange culture and economic ties between Austria and United States. 

The 2023 Charity gala was Co-Chaired by philanthropists Jean Shafiroff and Denise Rich while Sylvia Hemingway and Peter Thomas Roth served as Vice-chairs. 

The gala proceeds were to benefit the Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research and the benefit's theme called " A Night Inspired by  "Carmen " from the Opera Carmen by Bizet.

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Metropolitan opera singers: Stephen Costello, George Gagnidze, Joyce El-Khoury and Nathalie Peña Comas performed as the main entertainment at the gala. And, also renowned orchestra, ballet performances, presentation of Colors by Midshipmen from the US Naval Academy,  and a midnight quadrille made their present felt with the attendees with performances.

 
In addition to the honoree, seated dinner and entertainments, the ball  introduced its 2023 annual debutants presentation with their escorts to the

New York-Austrians social circle and who opened the gala:

Reesa Artz, Clara Burtscher, Rachel Borreta, Mei Colby, Thara

Eisingerich, Deborah Engelberg, Isaac Escamilla, Thara Eisingerich, Meyer Eskin, Shifra Eskin, Elias Wallin Giangrande, Gwyneth Giangrande, Joseph Grosh, Royce Howley, Catherine Humphrey, Madison Hoerler, Thomas Itkoff, Sean Jagermann, Alex Koschell, David Kuhn, Benton Madsen, Sofie Maehlkvist, Allegra Marschik, Spencer Napolitano, Maximiliane Norwood, Felix Oblin, Yasmeen Star Omer, Meghan Quinn, Rudolf Schatz, Nick Solari, George Stavropoulos, Anna Talos, Alexander Yale and Maximilian Yale. Sheila Hultgren Giangrande and Gregory Giangrande’s daughter Gwyneth and son Elias .

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The 2023-67th Viennese Opera Ball attendees included :

Commissioner Mermelstein (Mayor's Office of International Affairs), Kristen Edgreen

Kaufman (Mayor's Office of International Affairs), Peter Hanke (Executive City Councilor, City of Vienna),

Norbert Kettner (Director, Vienna Tourism Board), Gudrun Senk (CTO, Wiener Linien), Gerhard Hirczi

(CEO, Vienna Business Agency), Christian Frey (Head International Department, Vienna Business Agency),

Julian Jäger (Member of the Board of Directors, Vienna Airport), Franz Patay (CEO, United Stages Vienna),

Helmut Schoba (CEO, VGN Media Holding), Michael Trestl (CCO, Austrian Airlines) and Monte Lipman, CEO

of Republic Records. In addition, Maribel Lieberman of Mariebelle New York, Honorary

Guest, Fashion Designer Malan Breton, the Honorable Michael Ludwig, Governor and Mayor of

Vienna, Actress Samantha Mathis, and TV personality Star Jones attended the gala....