For the fifth time in a row, the ceremonial opening of the ZuckerBäckerball will be adorned with an enchanting ballet insert by the venerable association - the Vereinigung Wiener Staatsopernballett. with dancers of Vienna’s opera. As soloists of the world-famous ensemble, Maria Yakovleva and Denys Cherevychko will perform.
The two solo dancers are supported for the second time by eight other groups of couples. Together they offer an uplifting waltz, the "Accelerationen Walzer" by Johann Strauss Sohn (Opus 234).
The "Walzervorführung", one of the great highlights of the ball night, will take place at 9 pm as part of the ceremonial opening of the ball in the ballroom of the Vienna Hofburg. The opening will also be broadcast live in the ceremonial hall.
The “Accelerationen” Waltz
For the fifth time, the ZuckerBäckerball will be opened with a ballet to the music of Johann Strauss Sohn.
The waltz "Accelerationen" by Johann Strauss Sohn (Opus 234) was first performed at the Technikerball 1860 in the Sofienbad-Saal in Vienna - the premiere marks the 160th anniversary.
Johann Strauss wrote the work especially for the technical ball and dedicated it to the "listeners of technology at the University of Vienna". Musically, the introduction presents a pounding of machines while at the beginning of the first waltz part the dancers are gently accelerated into their dance tempo.
Previous opening ballets at the ZuckerBäckerball:
2016: "Roses from the South, Opus 388" by Johann Strauss (Sohn), danced by solo dancers Ketevan Papava and Eno Peci
2017: "Schatz-Walzer (Treasure Waltz), Opus 418" by Johann Strauss (Sohn), danced by the solo dancer Anastasia Markina (replaced the fancy Ketevan Papava on short notice) and Roman Lazik
2018: "Lagoon Waltz, Opus 411" by Johann Strauss (Sohn), danced by solo dancers Alice Firenze and Mihail Sosnovschi
2019: " Aquarellen (Watercolor Waltz), Opus 258" by Johann Strauss (Sohn), danced by solo dancers Ketevan Papava and Eno Peci
Portrait of Maria Yakovleva
Solo dancer, Maria Yakovleva, represents the Russian School of Dance. She was educated in St. Petersburg, Russia, at the renowned Waganowa Academy of the Russian Ballet in her hometown.
From 2004 on she was a member of the Ballet of the Mariinsky Theater, where she was entrusted with solo parts of classical repertoire. Just one year later, she became a soloist at the Vienna State Opera Ballet and the Volksoper, and in 2010 she was named the first solo dancer of the Vienna State Ballet. Guest performances have taken her to numerous European countries and overseas.
Portrait of Denys Cherevychko
The solo dancer, Denys Cherevychko, received his education at the Ballet Academy of Vadim Pisarev in his native city Donetsk (Ukraine) as well as at the Heinz Bosl Foundation / Ballet Academy in Munich.
In 2006 he became a member of the Ballet of the Vienna State Opera and Volksoper. In 2008 he became a demi soloist, in 2009 a solo dancer and in 2012 the first solo dancer of the Vienna State Ballet. Guest performances have taken him to numerous European countries and overseas.
Choreography by Lukas Gaudernak
Lukas Gaudernak has been responsible for the choreography of the ZuckerBäckerball for the fifth time. He has been a member of the Vienna State Opera since 1987. In addition to his commitment as a dancer, in 2006 he advanced to the position of rehearsal conductor for the ballet of the Vienna State Opera and Volksoper. From 2009 onwards he carried the title "rehearsal and production manager of the ballet".
The choreographic collaboration in opera productions led him and others to 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 world-famous New Year's Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic, in 2017 Gaudernak designed the ballet insert at the Vienna Opera Ball.
Ball tickets are still available
Ball tickets in almost all categories for the 119th ZuckerBäckerball on 16 January 2020 are still available. Get your ticket conveniently in our online system!