Updated posts 2026
The Salzburg Festival Society, known for its commitment to celebrating the arts and fostering the next generation of talent, hosted its annual New York gala in a private club on October 17. The event was a resounding success, with Chairman John French III and his wife, Carole Bailey French, serving as Gala Co-Chairs. This exclusive soirée drew music lovers from around the world, all gathering to experience the magic of the Salzburg Festival in the heart of Austria’s breathtaking countryside, and also the birthplace of Mozart.
Dressed in black tie, the gala’s guests exuded elegance and sophistication. Among them were luminaries like Board President Nabil Chartouni, Board Members Lauren Carpenter, Marifé Hernandez, Alexandra Kauka-Hamill, Horacio Milberg-Uribelarrea, Elisabeth Muhr, Sana H. Sabbagh, and a host of others, including Tina Beriro, Rodolfo de Rothschild, Richard Gaddes, Kim and Mark Goldberg, Elbrun and Peter Kimmelman, Michele Gerber Klein, Lola Koch, Princess Caroline Murat, Heidi and Allen Roberts, Prince Mario Max Schaumburg Lippe, Theodora and Albert Simons, Daisy Soros, Barbara Tober, Adrienne and Gigi Vittadini, and many more. The Gala was a sold-out affair, a testament to its prestige.
A Magical Evening: The gala’s hosts, John and Carole French, introduced the evening’s extraordinary entertainment, soprano Brittany Olivia Loga and tenor Daniel O’Hearn. John emphasized the Salzburg Festival’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of performing arts talents who performed during an elegant dinner. He noted that amidst life’s challenges, the Festival provides hope and unites guests from over 80 countries. The Salzburg Festival is not just a musical extravaganza; it’s an enchanting backdrop that touches hearts and brings people together in a truly remarkable way.
Kristina Hammer, President of the Salzburg Festival, served as the evening’s guest of honor. She spoke passionately about her love for New York, evoking the city’s literary history, as depicted by F. Scott Fitzgerald. She also shared insights into the Festival’s co-founder, Max Reinhardt, whose 150th birthday was celebrated this year. Max Reinhardt’s vision was to create an international peace project that showcased the power of creativity and intellect, transcending religious and national boundaries. His legacy lives on in the Festival, which has become a symbol of unity and cultural exchange.
That founding vision took shape in 1920, in the aftermath of a war that had left Europe fractured and its cultural institutions in disarray. Reinhardt and his collaborators staged their first production in the open air of Salzburg’s cathedral square, choosing accessibility and spectacle over the closed formality of the opera house. More than a century later, the Festival draws hundreds of thousands of visitors across its summer weeks and remains among the most significant gatherings in classical music and theatre anywhere in the world.
Salzburg Festival Society’s Mission: Established in 2005, the Salzburg Festival Society acts as a bridge between the Salzburg Festival and its American friends and patrons. Its mission is to provide exclusive access to Festival-related events and services for its members. The Society takes pride in supporting the Festival’s artistic excellence and innovation through its enduring
The Salzburg Festival Society’s annual gala in New York was a night of music, elegance, and cultural celebration. It served as a reminder of the Festival’s vital role in promoting the performing arts and fostering unity among people from diverse backgrounds. To learn more about the Salzburg Festival Society and its commitment to artistic excellence, please visit their official website at www.sfsociety.org.
