New Year's concert 2026

Ballet |

20 years after 2006: John Neumeier and AKRIS creative director Albert Kriemler design the ballet interludes for the New Year's Concert.

A diverse group of six dancers stands in a grand hall with polished wood floors. They wear stylish suits in various colors. In the center, a male dancer poses dynamically while an older man embraces him. The others exhibit graceful postures, showcasing a blend of artistry and fashion.

The ballet interludes for the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Concert were created this year by star choreographer John Neumeier. The costumes were designed by the creative director of the fashion label AKRIS, Albert Kriemler. 20 years after their first collaboration at the 2006 New Year's Concert, both artists have once again created dreamlike, glamorous worlds for the two interludes.

The waltz Rosen aus dem Süden and the Diplomatenpolka by Johann Strauss Sohn were filmed in the MAK - Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna - and at locations in the Vienna Hofburg under the direction of Michael Beyer. The famous Viennese Rose from the MAK collection is at the center of the choreography, which is danced by Ketevan Papava, Timoor Afshar, Natalya Butchko, Géraud Wielick, Gaia Fredianelli, Calogero Failla as well as Alaia Rogers-Maman and Victor Cagnin. In the diplomatic polka, the audience experiences a choreographic and humorous approach to the themes of diplomacy, bureaucracy and officialdom. It will be performed by Alessandro Frola, who has been principal soloist at the Vienna State Ballet since this season, as well as Natalya Butchko, Gaia Fredianelli, Anita Manolova, Tatiana Mazniak and Laura Cislaghi.

The Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Concert will take place on January 1, 2026 for the first time under the musical direction of Canadian Yannick Nézet-Séguin. As every year, there will be a live ORF broadcast.


To the broadcast

A group of five ballet dancers in floral costumes strikes dynamic poses, showcasing their movements. In the foreground, two individuals stand together, one wearing glasses and a blue shirt, appearing proud and engaged with the dancers behind them. The setting resembles an elegant hall.
A male model in a gray suit and hat poses confidently, raising one hand with two fingers extended in a playful gesture. In the background, several models are partially visible, each dressed in stylish outfits, showcasing a fashionable outdoor scene.
A group of ten individuals poses together indoors, wearing elegant, floral-patterned dresses and suits. They smile at the camera, creating a cheerful atmosphere. The setting features marble floors and decorative walls, suggesting a formal event.

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