Antonia’s Ballo del Doge
This year entitled “The Garden of Delights” Il Ballo del Doge was held on the 2nd of February at Palazzo Pisani Moretta, at 20.30; Grand Gala party in period costume defined by the international press as “one of the world’s 10 parties which you absolutely must experience in your life”
When two days ago from New York, I wrote to Antonia Sautter, the inventor, creator, and producer of the Ballo del Doge, letting her know I was going to Venice, and inquiring about the famous ball, her reply extremely welcoming and kind , gave me a feeling I was already from the city of New York, entering an realm of fantasy and fairy-tale.
The reason was the elegant Baroque font and colors she picked, to invite and introduce me to her costume atelier and shop, (She’s known to be the Master Costumer in Venice) , and to the renowned ” Magical atmosphere of the Venetian Carnival”. I already knew before leaving, I was in good hands.
Marta, Antonia’s assistant is one of those ladies who controls and almost enjoy the adrenaline required managing the stress of a frenetic atelier like Antonia’s two days prior important Carnival balls in Venice. Her smile and warmth in helping anxious and wealthy customers are impeccable.
The atelier, enclosed in a small alley near San Marco’s Place is now full of impatient and clients. Most are returning the thousands of dollars elaborate costumes worn the prior nights. Happily proud and relieved not to have fallen into the canal waters after parting too much they finally get their few deposits back. But the real concern this afternoon, is if tonights costume for the Ballo del Doge is ready or available on time.
Most are couples that speak Russian and Slav and pay cash or black American Express cards, a very demanding white hair-ed Don Giovanni -style habitue (accostumed) in red pants checkered blazer and Hermes scarf wishes to receive a differential in his treatment, a very fit and anxious South American , surrounded by running staff and red velvet curtains wanders with his young male partner if the Louis Soleil costume fits him fine. A couple of journalists from Madrid hold piles of Conde Nast magazines in their hands hoping to get their last passes to the ball .. and finally me waiting to meet with Antonia .
It’s now midnight. I have just come out from the Cavalchina ball. I am alone. It’s dark and drizzling. Fortunately my boots preventing me from tramping down, they are hidden under the flowers of my long dress. It’s not that heavy actually, it’s keeping me warm. As I ask two French masked Casanovas near the restaurant Antico Martini at la Fenice, about the Palazzo Pisani Moretta I just realize that by being in the Gran Canal , it can be reached by a gondola or motorboat as the access with my dress is very difficult in those narrow back streets of the Palazzo.
The Palazzo Pisani Moretta is right in front of me ; it’s splendid….The priviledge of famous visitors like Tzar Paul of Russia, Joséphine Bonaparte and Joseph Il of Austria, is now given to me in person.
On the entrance walls of the magnificent 17 Century family palazzo adorned with Baroque decorations, are Tiepolo’s works enriched by the light of hundreds of candles, it’s magic , it’s an theatrical and almost surreal invitation for the senses , where your sixth sense tells you that everything is permitted tonight.
On the entrance walls of the magnificent 17 century Palazzo, light shows, projections and magnificent installations, for your sight, songs and music are fit for a royal theatre for your ears, perfumes pour through the palace rooms to your nose, and the taste is be captivated by the sublime flavors of the food and drinks of the dinner cured in every minute detail Antonia herself, prepared and presented by the expert chefs of La Dogaressa , touch with the precious fabrics of the atelier Venetia and the decorations.
What makes the final, ultimate difference is the sixth sense of she who, with enormous passion, organises, invents and produces il Ballo del Doge.
“Antonia Sautter - explains Antonio Bombarda, artistic coordinator – was inspired, for this magical edition, by Heronymous Bosche, as in his Triptych of Delights, where in the fantastical atmosphere good and bad, night and evening, earth and the sky are placed together.
Inside a baroque garden, typical of the botanical collections of the Eighteenth century, created thanks to Paolo Buroni’s dynamic video projections, Palazzo Pisani Moretta will become a casket to slowly open up, entering the fairytale garden of Queen of the Night, followed by her 4 golden birds and Titania with anthropomorphic animals.
“The Garden of Delights” using the sensuality of the relationship between the earth and Man, between myth and magic; the search for the roots of the Garden of Eden, that metaphor for hedonistic pleasure, for the elevation and maximum expression of the senses. “The Garden of Delights”, just like the other themes proposed for earlier editions, becomes a precious translation and image of the dimension of carnival and in particular of the Venetian carnival, once again proposing the splendor of Venice La Serenissima.
A timeless garden: without rhythms, without restrictions, without rules. A magic place from Arabian gardens, those royal parks of France, from fairytale books, where your imagination can run wild in an architectural illusion peopled with characters.
Antonia Sautter also wanted to pay homage to two great artists of our recent past: Federico Fellini, by a “mechanical doll” inspired by his film “Casanova”; and Luciano Pavarotti thanks to the presence of the famous soprano trio “Appassionante”, which, amongst other arias, will perform “Nessun dorma”.
Astrifiammante, Queen of the Night, interpreted by ex top model and actress Xena Zupanic, Titania, Queen of the fairies, by Venetian model Maria Doria, the unicorn by incredible English artist-transformer Chris Channing, the winged lion: anthropomorphic surreal symbol of the ducal power, and dozens of actors in fantastical roles alongside actors from the more traditional but non the less important Commedia dell’Arte. (see photo gallery below)
In addition many other international artists: a quartet of harps unique amongst its kind in Europe, a duet of Hungarian acrobats, the Arabian dancers of Olivia and many other musical interpretations and entertainment.”
Among the 400 guests in the fields of finance, culture, entertainment, politics, business. attending the most exclusive party of the Venice Carnival, where for centuries heads of state and commoners have mingled in disguise, was the head of state of a Gulf country partying dressed like a catholic cardinal in Venice , his identity disguised beneath a carnival mask, the princess of Malaysia, the Sultan of Oman whilst an invitation was also extended to, and much appreciated by, George Clooney.
I knew it, simply from the detail of that e-mail, as in a fairy tale, Il Ballo has become, in its fifteen year history, a Grand Gala party of international renown and the most perfect expression of the Venetian party.
I could leave Venice now in this dream state of mind within all of my senses…. Truly hoping this surreal fairy tale dream lasts in my life for a long while.
Joelle’s Tips:
The Ball: il Ballo del Doge
Tel. +39 0415233851 Fax. +39 0415287543
e-mail: info@ballodeldoge.com
The Restaurant: Antico Martini
Campo San Fantin, 2007- Venezia Tel :+ 041 5224121 / Fax :39 041 528985Email: info@aticomartini.com
Wode Paint Boudicca & Wode Scent Boudicca
