The 2026 Shanghai Spring Festival Concert brings the Vienna Waltz Orchestra back to Shanghai for a festive New Year celebration. Featuring waltzes, operetta highlights, and classic vocal works, the concert includes soprano Laura Olivia Spenger, tenor Gëzim Berisha, and conductor Chen Lei. It’s a Spring Festival special designed for family audiences.

The 2026 Shanghai Spring Festival Concert returns with the Vienna Waltz Orchestra, marking their second consecutive year performing in Shanghai during the Lunar New Year season. The program combines classic Viennese waltzes, operetta excerpts, opera arias, Italian folk songs, and selected Chinese works. Familiar New Year favorites like The Blue Danube appear alongside vocal and orchestral pieces, creating a festive concert experience for the holiday period.

Performers

Vienna Waltz Orchestra

Founded in 2002 and based at the Brucknerhaus Linz, with members drawn from leading Austrian orchestras including the Bruckner Orchestra, Vienna Volksoper, and Vienna Symphony Orchestra.

Laura Olivia Spenger (soprano)

Berlin-born soprano active on European stages, winner of the Berlin International Vocal Competition and Vienna Summer Vocal Competition, with performances at Vienna State Opera and major concert halls.

Gëzim Berisha (tenor)

Opera master’s graduate from the Vienna University of Music, regularly performing in Austria and across Europe in opera and operetta productions.

Chen Lei (conductor / violin)

Artistic Director of the Vienna Waltz Orchestra, concertmaster of the Bruckner Orchestra Linz, and professor awarded by the Austrian government, serving as conductor, soloist, and host in this concert.

Song List

1. Jetzt geht’s los – Franz Lehár
2. Wiener Blut – Johann Strauss II (from Wiener Blut)
3. Ballsirenen Walzer – Franz Lehár (from Die lustige Witwe)
4. Night in Chengdu – L. Penzeli
5. Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja – W. A. Mozart (from Die Zauberflöte)
6. Ich gehör’ nur mir – from Elisabeth
7. Türkischer Marsch – W. A. Mozart
8. Horizon – L. Penzeli
9. Les tringles des sistres tintaient – G. Bizet (from Carmen)
10. Auf Ferienreisen – Josef Strauss
11. ’O Sole Mio – Italian folk song
12. What I Want in My Life – I. Penzeli
13. Klarinetten Muckl
14. Da geh’ ich zu Maxim – Franz Lehár (from Die lustige Witwe)
15. Jokey Polka – Josef Strauss
16. Wish – I. Penzeli
17. Im Feuerstrom der Reben – Johann Strauss II (from Die Fledermaus)
18. An der schönen blauen Donau – Johann Strauss II
19. Tanzen möchte ich – Franz Lehár (from Die lustige Witwe)

Program and order subject to change.

Why people should go see this show

This concert offers a Spring Festival program led by a Vienna-based orchestra with vocal soloists from the European opera scene. With a mix of orchestral favorites, operetta highlights, and well-known vocal works, it’s a seasonal concert designed to welcome the New Year in a classical concert hall setting.