Ballo della Cavalchina Teatro la Fenice
- 600 guests
- 37 artists
- 56 musicians
- 8 stage shows
Saturday 17th February 2007 the Gran Teatro La Fenice, built in 1792 hosted what is to be the most spectacular and exclusive event of the Carnival season 2008 in Venice: the Grand “Cavalchina” Ball, one of the most famous traditional masked ball for Carnival in Venice.
Dressed in nineteenth-century elaborate costumes, the guests were part of one of the most imaginative and enjoyable party-happenings of Carnival, dancing ancient and modern dances with the exceptional accompaniment of the Fenice’s very own musicians, and watching the most enthralling performances. La Fenice has been rebuilt a couple of times since then restored to its original style, after fires severely damaged the historic building in 1886 and 1996
It’s eight o clock sharp as I arrive at the magnificent theatre. La Fenice has been rebuilt a couple of times since then restored to its original style, after fires severely damaged the historic building in 1886 and 1996. At the entrance door, imaginary characters of the Venetian opera house introduce us to the dances of a celebration at the beginning of the 1800s. A large amount of photographers register the entrance of masked guests among them general curator of the event, interior designer Matteo Corvino.
After handing my invitation and offered Champagne, I am led and guided breathless by ballroom teachers and a few other hundred nineteenth-century costumed guests to the spectacular Sala Grande transformed into a large ballroom , its stalls removed especially for tonight occasion. The atmosphere is really splendid . At the end of the room, 56 musicians of The Fenice Orchestra Ensemble are joyfully playing a Strauss Waltz.
Meanwhile, In the Sale Apollinee and in the Foyer, a sequence of epoch’s animations, plays and extravagant shows take place while guests in luxurious disguise get acquainted with each other voluptuously sipping cocktails and sometimes exhibiting their Walz-ing talent.
Nine thirty, on the Sala Grande stage, the first number of the evening is to begin. The lights dim out and the Italian-born David Larible regarded the most famous clown in the world performs as the unpredictable clown orchestra conductor with his shows from “La Danza” and “L’Opera“; After that the sensual Kazakh contortion his way to the top of the ceiling, Assiya from Mongolia and the portuguese”Los Manduca” entertain the amazed crowd with their 1800s comic and acrobatic show.
The artistic and theatrical curators Roberto Bianchin & Antonio Giarola inspired by 18th century Venetian galas with some modern innovations certainly accomplished their goals tonight at the Fenice. It’s thrilling, it’s magic, everyone is contempt to revive the enchantment of other times. My camera flips from my purse nonchalantly, while the four French Pellegrini Brotherswith with their fabulous and unique acrobatic show catch the attention of the standing guests in full concentration and suspense.
The pretty Carla van Der Steen from Holland performs a poetic show; Mario Luraschi & partner from France their great “Pas de Deux”; Bulgarian Sneagina , exhibits her astonishing textile acrobatic performance; after a few minute, the Dutch comedian-mimer-animator Arno Huibers, catches everyone attention by surprise! We are all inside a an enormous soap bubble; wigs jewelry and hats apart, the balloroom is now a delirium.
While dancing recommences and the buffets are continuously offered at the third floor, in the Sale Apollinee and in the Foyer, I will have a small bite with a few Native Venitian Casanovas and their ladies, (my dress is a little tight to eat or drink much!).
It’s almost midnight , traditional Venetian specialities are brought to the buffets while courtesans, noblemen, poets, painters, merchants and others wonders by “La Compagnia della Calza” the most famous group of the Venetian Carnival as well as Brazilian and Brazilian singer Luma performes in and around the stage.
It’s midnight, the open bars opened , Latin-American rhythms will soon start to play, apparently until the end of the evening. I am now getting ready to go to another of the most prestigious balls ever created in Venice. I saved it for last as I know I won’t repent: I feel like Cinderella. With my long and opulent dress I must run like a princess into the night.
Antonia Sautter’s Ballo del Doge at Palazzo Pisani- Moretta has kept its doors open for me.
Joelle’s Tips:
Ballo della Cavalchina : Teatro la Fenice Information:
Laura Coppola (041786596) laura.coppola@teatrolafenice.org
Nadia Buoso (041786582) nadia.buoso@teatrolafenice.org
