(Venice, Italy) A masked woman steps from her gondola and into the Venetian mist. Flickering candlelight illumines the silhouette of a man waiting at the palazzo door. They embrace, and journey up the red carpet, into a world of intrigue and romance...A scene from Casanova's memoirs? No -- it's Carnival time in Venice! This year Carnevale runs from Friday, February 13th through February 24th, ending on Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, or Martedì Grasso.
Nicolas and Jean Benedict Arnita, the owners of Incentive Harmony, have been conjuring up Carnevale balls in Venice for more than a decade.
Originally from Paris, they are wizards at keeping their love affair with La Serenissima vibrant and alive. This year they are offering eight elegant events at the 14th century Gothic Palazzo Pesaro Papafava, all with an historic theme.I first met Nicolas and Jean Benedict back in 2001 when I featured their exclusive event-planning company in a story for the IHT-Italy Daily.
Since that time, they have seen the likes of the Arvind Singh Mewar, the Maharana of Udaipur, and highest ranking member of the Rajput royal ancestry, cross their threshold -- apparently the Maharana has also fallen in love with Venice as it reminds him of Udaipur, and his palace on the lake:) Together, Nicolas and the Maharana presented the royal exhibition, the Treasure of the Maharaja, here in Italy with Santi Choudhary, 
a descendent of the original jeweler. Like the Arnitas, the Maharana is dedicated to promoting historic and responsible tourism, not only with his own properties, but across the globe. His Royal Highness couldn't attend the festivities last year, but the Arnitas have high hopes he'll be able to squeeze in a Ball or two this time around.To kick things off, on Valentines Day, Saturday, February 14th, the theme of the Gran Ballo della Serenissima is "Love Duet," inspired by Romeo & Juliet, the renowned lovers from Verona, a town that was once part of the Venetian Republic. Throughout the evening, the most famous lyric operas will be performed, such as La Traviata, Il Barbiere di Siviglia and La Bohéme. The wine will flow as costumed guests enjoy a gala dinner, and then dance until dawn.
Woven throughout the twelve days of Carnival, the Arnitas will host seven additional events. On Sunday the 15th, Il Ballo della Colombina is inspired by one of the most beloved characters of the Commedia dell'arte, Colombina, that saucy servant with more brains than her masters.
On Thursday the 19th, La Dolce Vita e il Gran Ballo di Giustina Renier, l'utima gentildonna del '700 is dedicated to Giustina Renier Michiel, granddaughter of the last Doge of Venice. Born in 1755, she witnessed the fall of the Republic, and watched it pass between French and Austrian hands. Giustina wrote the six-volume work, Origins of Venetian Festivals, first published in 1817, and was noted for her illustrious salon, which gathered together some of the finest minds of the time, including Lord Byron and Canova.
An homage to Giovan Battista Pergolesi will highlight his operetta La Serva Padrona on Friday the 20th, featuring Serpina, the servant who plotted to marry her padrone. The Grand Ball of the Dogaressa on Saturday the 21st will celebrate with its own Three Tenors -- it was not the Doge who normally organized the great balls of the past, but the Doge's wife.
On Sunday, February 22nd, a Lyrical Chocolate Afternoon will start at 5PM, followed by the Grand Costume Ball of One Thousand and One Nights later that evening, where an award for the most elaborate costume celebrating a glorious moment in Venetian history will be presented. On February 24th, troubadours and minstrels wander throughout Palazzo Pesaro Papafava in celebration of Fat Tuesday,the last day of Carnival, during the Grand Ball of the Renaissance.
Each event is priced under €300, which includes a welcome cocktail, seated Gala Dinner with wine, and entertainment. The dress code is formal, tuxedo or smoking jacket for men. Masks required. The Arnitas' atelier is at your disposal for costumes, masks and accessories. To see the complete program of all eight events, please click:
http://www.incentiveharmony.com/carnivalballs/carnival2009.html
Or click below to download the complete Program of the Balls:
Detailed Program of Carnival Balls
Incentive Harmony of Nicolas Arnita would like to express its great appreciation for the fresh vision and collaboration between the major organizations of the Comune, the Province and the Region, and all its residents, Veneziani di Cuore.
Viva La Serenissima!
Incentiveharmony - Palazzo Valier
Campo San Silvestro - San Polo 1022
30125 Venice - Italy
Tel. +39 041 52 01 855
+39 041 77 93 002
Fax +39 041 52 85 914
http://www.incentiveharmony.com/
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