The Ball of Legal Professionals

Save the Date

The Ball of Legal Professonals 2025 is dedicated to the musical annual regent.

200 Years of Johann Strauss II

VERY STRAUSS!

is the feeling that the Ball of Legal Professonals will bring to the Hofburg Vienna on March 1, 2025!

VERY STRAUSS!

is the expression of the lightness, the waltz, and the dances of the jubilarian.

The exceptional composer wrote a total of 15 compositions for the world’s oldest “officially” mentioned ball, almost all of which were premiered by the master himself as conductor – at that time still in the Sofien Saal in Vienna – decades after the Congress of Vienna.

About the Strauss family and the Ball  of Legal Professionals

The Strauss family worked like a company for light music in Vienna in the 19th century. All four composing members of this family Johann Strauss I (1804 – 1849), Johann Strauss II (1825 – 1899), Josef Strauss (1827 – 1870) and Eduard Strauss I (1835 – 1916) dedicated dance compositions to the ‘gentlemen students of law at the University of Vienna’.

Johann Strauss I composed seven waltzes between 1842 and 1848, Josef Strauss composed six waltzes between 1862 and 1870 and Eduard Strauss I composed eleven waltzes and two polkas between 1866 and 1887 for this purpose.

Our jubilarian Johann Strauss II composed eleven waltzes and four polkas for lawyers’ balls between 1852 and 1871, including the Ball of Legal Professonals-Tänze Walzer op. 177, which will of course be played at the next Ball of Legal Professonals on 1 March of theanniversary year 2025!

Program and cast

Admission: 8:00 PM Ball Opening: 9:30 PM

Ball Opening by the Debutantes and Debutants under the direction of Prof. Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer
Ball of Legal Professonals-Polka op. 280, Johann Strauss II

Entrance of the Guests of Honor

OPENING

Zoryana Kushpler
„Ich lade gern mir Gäste ein“ – Couplet des Prinzen Orlofsky
„Die Fledermaus“ von Johann Strauss II

Friederike Meinke
„Klänge der Heimat“ – Arie der Rosalinde,
„Die Fledermaus“ von Johann Strauss II

Speeches and Opening Remarks by the Festive Speakers

Waltz Formation by the Elmayer Dance School and the Opening Committee
Ball of Legal Professonals-Tänze op. 177, Johann Strauss II

All Waltz

12:00 AM Midnight ShowJanoska Ensemble

12:30 AM and 2:00 AM Public Quadrille in the Ballroom Directed by Prof. Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer

Ende: 05:00 Uhr

Taxi Dancers The taxi dancers provided by the Juristenverband will be available from 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM in the ballroom at the foot of the stage stairs on the left (window side).

Dress Code

 Strictly floor-length evening gown, tailcoat with white bow tie, tuxedo with black/colored bow tie, or gala uniform. The ball committee reserves the right to deny access to persons not dressed appropriately! Subject to change!

Moderation:

Silvia Schneider The lawyer and popular host for high-profile events and television formats is a true all-rounder! For years, she has successfully designed and created her own fashion collection, hosts her own cooking show on ORF, “Silvia kocht,” which she also produces with a lot of charm and culinary knowledge, and has danced into the hearts of viewers in the popular TV format “Dancing Stars.”

She produces her first own lipstick with her company “The Ultimate Red,” has just successfully completed her cooking apprenticeship final exam, and presents her fashion collections several times a year. Silvia Schneider brings everything she starts to success, and we are very proud to have her again as the moderator for our ball this year.

FESTSAAL

Opening

Zoryana Kushpler

„Ich lade gern mir Gäste ein“ – Couplet des Prinzen Orlofsky

„Die Fledermaus“ von Johann Strauss II

The mezzo-soprano Zoryana Kushpler was born in Lviv (Lemberg), Ukraine, and began learning the piano from the age of five under the guidance of her mother, but later switched to the violin. From 1993, she studied voice in the class of her father, Prof. Igor Kushpler, at the music academy in her hometown.

In 1998, Zoryana Kushpler moved to the music academy in Hamburg, where she received significant artistic inspiration in master classes with Teresa Berganza, Renata Scotto, and Kurt Moll. Among the numerous awards she has received is the 1st prize at the prestigious ARD Music Competition in Munich in September 2000.

She then joined the ensemble of the Stadttheater Bern and was a permanent member of the Vienna State Opera ensemble from 2007 to 2020. Since 2008, she has also been a regular guest at the Vienna Volksoper.

Her guest performances have taken Zoryana Kushpler to venues such as the Barbican Hall in London, the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music, the Bunka Kaikan in Tokyo, opera houses in Graz, Cologne, and Bonn, the Mörbisch Lake Festival, and the Royal Albert Hall in London. Zoryana Kushpler has collaborated extensively with renowned conductors such as Seiji Ozawa, Sir Neville Marriner, Franz Welser-Möst, Christian Thielemann, Semyon Bychkov, René Jacobs, Simone Young, Marco Armiliato, and Christoph Eschenbach.

As a concert singer, Zoryana Kushpler is a sought-after guest at major European music centers such as the Tonhalle Zurich, the Stadtcasino Basel, the Victoria Hall Geneva, the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, the Verbier Festival, and New York’s Carnegie Hall.

Zoryana Kushpler has a special passion for Lied singing. She has given song recitals at the Rheingau Music Festival and the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival, at the Laeiszhalle Hamburg, the Konzerthaus Berlin, in Kassel and Recklinghausen, at the Vienna Musikverein, and at the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. Since 2023, Zoryana Kushpler has been a professor at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg.

Friederike Meinke

„Klänge der Heimat“ – Arie der Rosalinde,

„Die Fledermaus“ von Johann Strauss II

Friederike Meinke was born in Halberstadt in 1993. In 2009, she sang her first major solo role as Barbarina in “Le Nozze di Figaro” at the Nordharzer Städtebundtheater in Halberstadt and continued to perform there as a guest soloist until 2018. In 2012, Friederike began her vocal studies in Dresden, moving to Leipzig in 2014. In 2015, she received a guest engagement with the Saxon State Opera Choir at the Salzburg Easter Festival under the direction of Christian Thielemann. From 2016 to 2023, Friederike was a soloist in the opera chorus at the Komische Oper Berlin, where she sang solo parts such as the First Boy in “Die Zauberflöte,” Hodel in Barrie Kosky’s “Anatevka,” in “Zoroastre,” and in “The Fair at Sorochyntsi.”

In 2022/23, Friederike won a prize at the National Singing Competition and received an award as Opera Talent of the Year from the ZAV Artist Agency. She also participated in a masterclass with KS Edda Moser. Since 2024, Friederike Meinke has been a member of the ensemble at the Musikalische Komödie in Leipzig and won first place and special prizes at the “Johann Strauss Singing Competition” in Vienna.

Midnight Show

Janoska Ensemble

The Janoska Ensemble officially came into existence in 2013, but the three brothers Ondrej (violin), František (piano), and Roman (violin) Jánoška from Bratislava have been making music together since their childhood. When double bassist Julius Darvas married into the family, the ensemble was complete. The brothers continue a family tradition, as they are now the sixth generation of musicians.

In the vast and varied music scene, the Janoska Ensemble has managed a remarkable feat: they have turned their unique style into a personal brand and, at the same time, a genre term—this is their “Janoska Style.” At the highest artistic level, they transform well-known references from classical music to pop into a new whole that is both familiar and distinctly different. Moreover, each of the precisely arranged pieces bears the hallmark of the exuberant Janoska musical signature. This signature is particularly evident in the original compositions of the ensemble members, showcasing an astonishing range of expression from moving to exhilarating.

The “Janoska Style” has the rare power to instantly captivate fans of completely different genres. In their concerts, this powerful, positive energy spreads to the audience after just a few bars, and with their virtuosic spontaneous improvisations, the four virtuosos quickly have even the most reserved visitors out of their seats.

The Janoska Ensemble’s debut album, “Janoska Style,” was released in 2016 on the prestigious classical label Deutsche Grammophon and was awarded gold within a year. The concert tour for their second album, “Revolution,” has been filling concert halls around the world since 2019, and their third album, “The Big Bs,” also achieved gold status and continues to draw audiences from Europe to America, Japan, and China.

Carl Michael Ziehrer Orchestra

The Carl Michael Ziehrer Orchestra was founded in 2009 and is considered one of Vienna’s most prestigious dance orchestras. The program is carefully selected and tailored for each occasion, taking into account the audience. The orchestra is a guarantee of stylistically appropriate musical accompaniment. Special emphasis is placed on the interpretation of Viennese dance music. With its refreshing style of performance, the Carl Michael Ziehrer Orchestra is a highlight of any successful ball night. The repertoire includes dance numbers for both young and old: classical Viennese waltzes, polkas, tangos, quadrilles, and evergreens.

Pepe Allstar Band

“Our ballroom is our arena” – under this motto, the musicians of the Pepe Allstar Band, led by Josef “Pepe” Schütz, blend the tradition of dance with the ball culture of today, making them one of Austria’s most renowned ensembles. This orchestra is distinguished by its unmistakable big band sound and renowned musicians. Whether as a large dance orchestra or a smaller ensemble, the Pepe Allstars are welcome guests at the most prestigious events in the country.

With a diverse repertoire ranging from ballroom classics to contemporary hits, years of experience, precise dance tempos, and excellent musicians, they guarantee your success on the international stage. Bandleader Josef Schütz is also a member of the successful group “The Rats Are Back” and regularly performs with this vocal ensemble as well.

ZEREMONIENSAAL

Cremisa

The Cremisa Dance Orchestra turns every event into a successful and unforgettable occasion. Their repertoire spans from standard dances and Latin rhythms to current pop and rock hits, while also including evergreens and disco hits from the ’70s and ’80s.

Whether it’s a ball, wedding, corporate event, or other occasions, the band always manages to professionally adapt to the needs of the event, ensuring that the perfect program is played for every taste. The Cremisa Dance Orchestra performs music that moves people and places great emphasis on an energetic, natural sound – and all of it is absolutely live!

METTERNICHSAAL

Carla Natascha’s Tropical Band

The extremely popular show band has been a guest at the Lawyers’ Ball several times in previous years and we are delighted that the opening of the Metternich Hall this year will give us the opportunity to dance to Latin American rhythms again!

The spirited Austro-Latina, known for her unique performance, powerful voice and joie de vivre, enriches the European music scene with her own songs and music productions.

Carla Natascha’s heart has always belonged to the rhythms of her Latin American homeland. That is why she founded her own band as lead vocalist in 2007 with highly renowned musicians from all over the world. With her band formations, she is a welcome star at traditional events and balls, as well as at European festivals and charity events. Her repertoire is international and includes well-known Latin American hits as well as her own compositions in the genres of salsa, bachata, merengue, cumbia, cha-cha, rumba, bolero, Latin pop and much more.

RITTERSAAL

She’s a DIVA – Atmosphere with Style and Elegance

She’s a DIVA offers a wide-ranging song repertoire and performs at the highest level of sophisticated international dance music from current pop, hard/soft rock, chill jazz, and party music from various eras.
Bettina Krenosz, Vocals:
Concerts in Austria, Germany, Turkey, Israel, France, Spain, London, China. Since 2014, guest lecturer at FH Campus Wien, vocal pedagogue in jazz/pop, and sought-after workshop speaker at home and abroad
Hannes Oberwalder, Keyboard:
Collaborations include Rainhard Fendrich, Ludwig Hirsch, Plácido Domingo, Michael Bolton, Sarah Brightman, Gloria Gaynor, Christian Kolonovits, Andy Baum, The Supremes, Richard Österreicher Big Band, VSOP, Bill Ramsey, Zipflo Weinrich, Elfriede Ott, Volkstheater, Christmas in Vienna, Gert Steinbäcker, Hektiker … He also worked as an ORF recording manager and musical director of Austrian and international pop acts. Concerts abroad in Dubai, Oman, Morocco, London, Paris, Madrid, Istanbul, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Beijing, Jakarta,…
Wolfgang Dorer, Drums:
Collaborations with Harry “Sweets” Edison, Hal Singer, George Masso, Together, M.Stoppacher Big Band, L.Libal Jazz Concert Big Band, A1chfeld Big Band, Klezmood/metropol, 3Divas (N.Y.), and more. Tours and festivals in Austria, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Turkey, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Mongolia, China, Japan, USA, Canada. Teaching activities, also at various workshops at home and abroad
Hannes Laszakovits, Bass:
He is a composer in various styles and plays and arranges in numerous groups, including Mandy’s Mischpoche, the Viennese Tschuschenkapelle, the Balkan jazz band Pristup, the group Square Waltz, the folk ensemble of the Burgenland Croats Kolo Slavuj, Eastbound and Feirefiz. He leads the quietest jazz band in Europe. Concert activities in Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden, France, Poland, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Israel, Palestine, Venezuela, Iran, the USA, and Australia.