Kari and Christoph keep going - A tribute to the Vienna Opera Ball

High nobility versus the lowest bourgeoisie, gourmet connoisseur versus tavern visitor, fine blade versus punchline curved sword... the cultural divide between Karl Hohenlohe and Christoph Wagner-Trenkwitz could hardly be more unbridgeable. Nevertheless, they have been commenting harmoniously together on the Vienna Opera Ball since 2001. Now they are rummaging through their memories – accompanied by lively music. Imaginary guest of honor: of course, Richard Lugner! The Austrian salon musicians have also dug into their archives and are bridging these divides with danceable and lively music from around the world, as international as the Vienna Opera Ball.

**Karl Hohenlohe and Christoph Wagner-Trenkwitz**
Peter Gillmayr — 1st Violin
Kathrin Lenzenweger — 2nd Violin
Judith Bik — Cello
Alvin Staple — Double Bass
Josef “Peppone” Ortner — Clarinet, Saxophone
Clara Zichy-Zeilinger — Piano

**Karl Hohenlohe**
Karl Hohenlohe was born in Vienna in 1960. He studied journalism, law, and biology. After gaining initial professional experience in the economic editorial department of the Kurier and as an editor at Wochenpresse, he soon found his way to ORF. Since 1987, Hohenlohe has contributed to the direction, writing, and production of over 100 TV documentaries. He is also known as the host of numerous ORF programs (e.g., "Was schätzen Sie?", "Aus dem Rahmen"). Since his biology studies, he has had a particular interest in the history of garden and park design. As one of three organizers of the "Initiative for a Monument Protection Law for Austria's Historical Gardens and Parks," he launched several actions to support this cause alongside André Heller and Barbara Rett, contributing to the passing of a law. Since 2001, Karl Hohenlohe has been commenting on the annual Vienna Opera Ball together with Christoph Wagner-Trenkwitz.

**Christoph Wagner-Trenkwitz**
The native Viennese completed his studies in music and political science as well as Romance studies in his hometown. His work as a performer began in 1984 at the Kabarett Niedermair, and he also performed at the Theater beim Auersperg and the legendary Grauman Theater. From 1993 to 2022, he worked at the Austrian Federal Theaters, initially as press chief, then as chief dramaturg of the Vienna State Opera, later as artistic coordinator and chief dramaturg of the Volksoper Vienna. Since 2001, he has been the TV commentator for the Vienna Opera Ball and also produces programs – including Klassiktreffpunkt, Pasticcio, Anklang, Ausgewählt, as well as broadcasts of the New Year's Concert – on Ö1. From 2013 to 2016, he was the artistic director of the Theater Sommer Haag, and since 2020, he has been the director of the Operette Langenlois. Since 2022, he has been a dramaturg at the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz (Munich). He has published numerous books (e.g., "Alles Walzer. Der Opernball von A bis Z") and released CDs (most recently "Gemischter Satz" with Günther Groissböck). His appearances as a lecturer, moderator, and actor have taken him to venues such as the Berlin State Opera, Bonn Opera, and Bühne Baden, as well as the Bregenz and Salzburg Festivals, the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz Munich, the Goethehaus Frankfurt, the Richard Strauss Festival Garmisch, the Festspielhaus St. Pölten, the Grafenegg Festival, Stadttheater Klagenfurt, Vienna Concert Hall, Musikverein, and Vienna Festival Weeks.