Violinist Leonidas Kavakos to Replace Conductor Chailly at Vienna Phil's Annual Ball

The Vienna Philharmonic has announced the withdrawal of conductor Maestro Riccardo Chailly from the orchestra's annual Viennese Ball this Thursday evening due to family reasons – with violin virtuoso Leonidas Kavakos named as his surprise replacement.

46 year old Kavakos, will conduct Weber’s ‘Oberon-Overture’ - in addition to performing and leading Fritz Kreisler’s ‘Liebesfreud’.

It is the first time in the history of the ball that a soloist has also conducted this unique event.