(© Gregor Hohenberg / Sony Classical)

Jonas Kaufmann is set to make a surprise cameo appearance at the Vienna State Opera’s New Year’s Eve gala.

The famed tenor will be among the “surprise guests” that appear during the second Act of “Die Fledermaus” at Prince Orlovsky’s part. Throughout the production’s history, the company has had a tradition of expanding the second act to allow for some guest appearances from famous stars from around the opera world. The company often doesn’t announce the new performers ahead of schedule so as to treat its onstage and in-house audiences to special treats.

Kaufmann is set to appear to pay tribute to Vienna State Opera director Dominique Meyer, who is set to end his tenure with the company before heading over to the Teatro alla Scala. The performance will be broadcast live via the Vienna State Opera’s live stream platform.

Next up for the famed tenor is “Fidelio” at the Royal Opera House in London before productions of “Die tote Stadt,” “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg,” and “Die Walküre” in Munich and Paris.