The press conference began on time at 11:00 a.m. "Ballmutti" vice-honorary consul Prof. Birgit Sarata invited a diverse range of guests. Press representatives, TV teams and Austrian celebrities made their way to downtown Vienna to hear the unveiling of a name that had long been kept secret.

Since 2009, a cake has been made by a confectioner for a well-known personality. The presentation of the sweet work of art takes place at midnight and is one of the highlights of the ZuckerBäckerballs.

In January at the 121st ZuckerBäckerball, the celebrity cake will be handed over to the Austrian opera singer and painter Herbert Lippert. The famous tenor also gave a musical performance, singing two songs of composer Franz Lehár. This stands in connection with the ballet dancers of “Vereinigung Wiener Staatsopernballett”, who will perform at ZuckerBäckerball’s grand opening to Léhar’s waltz “Gold and Silver” (op. 79).

As vice honorary consul Prof. Birgit Sarata emphasised: "Herbert Lippert has been an appraised artist for so many years.not only successful as tenor and opera singer but also as a painter, looking back to numerous successful exhibitions. He is a real hit, well-known on international stages!"

Dr Kurt Schebesta, the ball organiser, added: "Once again this year when the ball begins, we will be concentrating on classical music because it fits the Viennese ball tradition. Herbert Lippert is a world-famous tenor, the ball guests will be truly inspired!"

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO HERBERT LIPPERT

Herbert Lippert is one of the most sought-after contemporary artists. For his singing, the Austrian tenor has already received a number of prizes and awards on an international level, including a Grammy 1997 and two more Grammy nominations as well as the awarded Austrian Prize for Musical Theatre and the honorary title Kammersänger.

Lippert began his musical career as a child as a soloist with the Vienna Boys' Choir “Wiener Sängerknaben”, completed his studies in music education at the University of Vienna and, as a member of the ensemble of the Vienna State Opera, is one of the leading lyric tenors of today.

He worked with the most important conductors and sang at all the major opera houses in the world. Over the course of his career, Herbert Lippert has made more than 300 recordings of classical music with the most famous conductors and the most renowned orchestras in the world.

Herbert Lippert is also a gifted painter and like no other artist today, Herbert Lippert combines singing and painting into a unique, universal symbiosis. His distinctive, post-impressionist style of oil painting is characterized by passionate line work and an emotional play of color, light and shadow that captivates. The intense textures of his paintings bring the basic musical motifs of all pictures to life, which thus become an impressive symphony of image and music, song and painting.

CELEBRITY CAKE RECIPIENTS

The following celebrities have been able to enjoy their individual cake creations since 2009:

  • 120th ZuckerBäckerball - 2023: Yury Revich (violin shaped cake from Konditorei Groissböck)

  • 119th ZuckerBäckerball - 2020: Daniela Fally (Sachertorte from Kurkonditorei Oberlaa)

  • 118th ZuckerBäckerball - 2019: Ildikó Raimondi and Herbert Lippert (chocolate cake from the Hübler coffee shop)

  • 117th ZuckerBäckerball - 2018: Patrick Lindner (giant tree cake from Aida)

  • 116th ZuckerBäckerball - 2017: Vincent Schirrmacher (Sachertorte from Hotel Sacher Vienna)

  • 115th ZuckerBäckerball - 2016: Natalia Ushakova (Malakofftorte from K.u.K. Hofzuckerbäcker L. Heiner)

  • 114th ZuckerBäckerball - 2015: Alice Tumler (Topfen-Marille Torte from the confectionery K.u.K. Hofzuckerbäcker Demel)

  • 113th ZuckerBäckerball - 2014: Maya Haakvort (nut cake from the pastry shop Demel)

  • 112th ZuckerBäckerball - 2013: "Mr. Life Ball" Gery Keszler (chocolate mango cake from the Hanauer pastry shop)

  • 111th ZuckerBäckerball - 2012: Lilian Klebow (chocolate dream from the pastry shop Groissböck)

  • 110th ZuckerBäckerball - 2011: Michael Konsel (chocolate cake from the Kurkonditorei Oberlaa)

  • 109th ZuckerBäckerball - 2010: Barbara Karlich (Malakofftorte from Landtmann's Feine Patisserie)

  • 108th ZuckerBäckerball - 2009: Birgit Sarata (chocolate mousse cake with strawberries from the K.u.K. Hofzuckerbäcker Gerstner)

Images of the press event with the presentation of Herbert Lippert as star guest of 121st ZuckerBäckerball.