Salute to Vienna Returns to Symphony Center, 12/28

Salute to Vienna returns for the 17th year to Symphony Center Sunday, December 28, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. with the Strauss Symphony of America featuring the Chicago Philharmonic, conducted by Viennese conductor Alexander Steinitz.

A star-studded European cast will usher in the New Year with an entertaining, easy-to-listen-to concert of lilting Strauss waltzes - including the Blue Danube Waltz and operetta favorites from Die Fledermaus and The Merry Widow. Vienna-based coloratura soprano and trumpeter Rebecca Nelsen, and Spanish tenor Eduardo Aladrén, will perform alongside members of the exquisite Vienna Imperial Ballet and International Champion Ballroom Dancers. An enchanting way to celebrate the New Year with the entire family.

Salute to Vienna celebrates 20 years of New Year's tradition, rounding off the holiday season with entertaining concerts in 23 North American cities. More than 40,000 concert-goers will party like it's 1899 between December 28 and January 4, when Salute to Vienna will kick off 2015 in the 80-year old tradition of Vienna's world famous "Neujahrskonzert". With these critically acclaimed concerts, audiences will be transported to Vienna-the famous "City of Dreams".

This concert is a musical confection that delights the ears, eyes, and soul, leaving audiences feeling joyful and filled with energy and optimism, ready to take on the year - and world - that lies ahead. Discover the timeless pleasure of Vienna's most beautiful music for the first time this year, or continue the tradition with 2015's fresh new cast and concert.

The concert takes place in Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60604. Tickets range from $39 to $115 and are available online at cso.org, or by calling (312) 294-3000.