Unite People through Music
Press Release
Boston New Year Grand Musical Ball 2026 — The Magic of Vienna in Boston
An all-professional Boston International Symphony Orchestra (BISO) presents rarely performed repertoire from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Boston, MA – There are concerts, there are celebrations, there are galas, and there are balls.
But once in a while, there comes a night when everything comes together — music, elegance, dance, culture, unity, a symphony orchestra, and a touch of enchantment. Such an evening will unfold on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Cary Hall in Lexington, when the Boston New Year Grand Musical Ball fills the historic venue with an atmosphere that brings together Viennese refinement, Bostonian vitality, and the rich sounds of world cultures.
Presented by WeStar Music in collaboration with the Boston International Symphony Orchestra (BISO), this concert owes much of its realization to producer and director Harry Zhu, one of the key creators of the project, whose unwavering dedication to high artistic standards is well known and deeply appreciated by Boston audiences. The organizers invite guests to welcome the New Year — the Year of the Golden Horse, a symbol of strength, grace, and forward momentum — with the soaring beauty of the Viennese waltz!
Under the direction of renowned conductor Maestro Jorge Soto (Boston Pops, Boston Symphony Chamber Players, the U.N. Orchestra at Carnegie Hall), WeStar Music and BISO will create an evening where symphonic music unites seamlessly with vocal and dance artistry.
But this is far more than just a concert.
It is a true musical journey around the world, reminding us that Boston is a city that embraces and brings together cultures from every corner of the globe.
The evening celebrates the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss, the beloved “King of Waltz.” Alongside treasures such as Strauss's Frühlingsstimmen (Voices of Spring), Tales from the Vienna Woods, Radetzky March, Saint-Saëns’ The Swan, Rodríguez’s tango La Cumparsita, and others, the program boldly expands its horizons:
Boston & New England Premiere
Overture to Symphony No. 1 by Guan Xia (China)
A brilliant orchestral tableau drawn from the movie 《激情燃烧的岁月》/ Years of Burning Passion by one of China’s leading contemporary composers, will leave listeners with a powerful and unforgettable impression.
Boston & New England Premiere
Waltz “Rozluka / Farewell” by Mykola Lysenko (Ukraine)
A deeply emotional work rarely heard in the United States, this waltz recently captivated audiences at the Wiener Opernball / The Vienna Ball.
Every motif breathes nostalgia for one’s homeland; every harmony carries the ache of parting—transforming sorrow into an elegant, light classical gem that reveals the beauty of the Ukrainian soul.
World Premiere
"Sail Day" by Tiffany Zhang, winner of the Boston International Composition Competition
A fresh, compelling new work, performed for the first time before a live audience—an inspiring reminder that the future of classical music is in confident and creative hands.
Vocal artistry brings a special radiance to every concert, and this evening features beloved Boston lyric sopranos Olga Lisovska and Yan Lian, performing sparkly classical repertoire. Guest soprano Meijiao Yan, joining us from China, will delight audiences with the virtuosic “Mayila Variations” (a Xinjiang folksong arranged by Hu Tingjiang).
A surprise of the night will be the performance of young vocalists, laureates of the Boston International Music Competition (BIMC age categories from 13–20). They will present the only pop selection of the evening show, the iconic Skyfall by Adele from the James Bond film series. Among these talented performers is Sofia Shkidchenko, known for her appearances on Ukraine’s Got Talent and Spain Got Talent, whose performance — together with four other winners of BIMC — promises to be one of the most inspiring moments of the night.
In true Viennese fashion, guests will not only enjoy the elegance of the waltz performed by the Harvard Ballroom Dance Team but will be welcome to take part themselves. As Strauss’s beloved melodies fill Cary Hall, the boundary between stage and audience dissolves — and the entire room transforms into one shimmering, unified ball.
The Boston New Year Grand Musical Ball reflects WeStar Music and BISO’s mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit: to share the richness of the world’s cultures through music, to support young and professional artists, to promote contemporary composers, and to do so with the highest level of professional excellence from the orchestra, vocalists, and guest performers.
Event Details:
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Concert & Ball: 6:30 PM
Reception & Social Hour: 5:00 PM
Location: Cary Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA
Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/MusicalBall
More info: http://www.BISOrchestra.org
Phone: (857) 919-4832 & (978) 933-1088
Dress Code:
This evening is created for beauty.
Feel free — and even encouraged — to wear tiaras, jewelry, evening gowns, suits, tuxedos, cultural attire, and anything that brings a sense of celebration.
A touch of Vienna.
A spirit of Boston.
A night full of wonder.
NEWS of Boston International Symphony Orchestra
Inaugural Concert of the Boston International Symphony Orchestra: A Celebration of Global Unity thro
An all-professional Boston International Symphony Orchestra (BISO) presents rarely performed repertoire from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Boston, MA – The Boston International Symphony Orchestra (BISO) will hold its inaugural performance during the annual WeStar New Year Grand Musical Night, on Saturday, January 18th at 6:30 PM at Cary Hall,1605 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, MA 02420. The evening will feature an exceptional lineup of internationally acclaimed musicians: conductor Jorge Soto, known for his leadership with the Boston Symphony Chamber Players and the United Nations Orchestra at Carnegie Hall; baritone Ilya Silchukou, a soloist at La Scala; soprano Olga Lisovska, whose performances at Carnegie Hall have captivated audiences; coloratura soprano Yan Lian, an acclaimed opera singer in the Boston area, as well as world renowned accordionist Cory Pesaturo. Additional gifted musicians will join this historic performance.
The concert program will be an uplifting celebration of the holiday season, featuring beloved waltzes by J.Strauss, lively classical gems by G. Rossini, F. Lehár, and G. Donizetti, as well as rarely performed works from Ukraine, China, and Argentina, showcasing some ethnic instruments. Guests can expect an evening of vibrant melodies, with Strauss’ iconic waltzes even inviting the audience to dance in the aisles! The performance will include a stirring Ukrainian march, a piece that holds deep personal significance for the orchestra’s mission and vision.
The mission of the Boston International Symphony Orchestra is to unite cultures through music, bringing together diverse regions and traditions in performances that uphold the highest standards of excellence. As we celebrate the beauty of music from around the world, the orchestra stands as a beacon of inclusivity and cultural connection at a time when the global stage often seems divided. Through this concert, BISO seeks to transcend borders, creating a shared experience of joy, harmony, and unity. Just as America is a melting pot of cultures, BISO embraces this diversity, showcasing the richness of our community through music.
“We are thrilled to embark on this journey, uniting exceptional musicians and celebrating cultures rarely represented on stage,” said Olga Lisovska, co-founder of BISO. “Through music, we aim to inspire unity, embrace diversity, and create an unforgettable shared experience.”
For more information or inquiries about supporting BISO, please contact:
Olga Lisovska, lisovska1@aol.com
Harry Zhu, hzrgc@hotmail.com
We look forward to welcoming you to this spectacular evening, where tradition meets innovation, and where music serves as the bridge connecting us all.
Tickets and Info: https://tinyurl.com/BISOConcert
Early Bird tickets are available
BISO Website: www.BISOrchestra.org