Mascheranda Masked Ball

Archived Article (2007)

Venice Carnival

Tragicomica, one of Venice's leading mask and costume workshops, is again sponsoring Mascheranda, an upmarket masked ball in the Palazzo Pisani Moretta on the Grand Canal during Venice Carnival.

The ball is scheduled for Sunday, February 18, 2007 at 7 p.m., with a ticket price of €460 for the entire evening or €190 if you skip dinner and arrive after 11 p.m.

Here's Tragicomica's official (and only slightly edited) description of what to expect:

"In the magical night of the Carnival of  2007, candlelight in the most  charming Palace of Venice, facing the Grand Canal, among  precious scenographies and the 18th  frescoes, you�ll be the welcome guests at the Mask Ball Mascheranda.

"Within the fancy dress, wrapped in the mystery of one�s own mask, you'll dance in the midst of either Venetian and foreign masks, in the great game of  transgression and seduction.

"At the arrival in the Main Saloon, richly decorated animators and musicians will welcome the guests entertaining them with games and performances.

"In the Entry Saloon, a mysterious aperitif will be served delighted by a surprising artistic performance.

"The masks will then be invited to go upstairs, where--lodged in the Tiepolo Saloon and in all the others--a grand traditional gala dinner will be served, with a live classical music performance accompanying it by the Venetian Quartet, the Opera Singer, the Dancers, and the Comici dell'Arte entertainments.

"During and all along the evening, music, fantasy, entertainments, colour, and warmth will be the frame for the magic of the party going on with a show of international worldwide famous artists and performers, the School of  Historical Dances (minuetto, passamezzo, mattaccinata), the Eros Carousel, the Casanova Election, and the great Mask Ball in the Main Saloon with surprises and games based on the theme of the Party.

"The price for a ticket is €460 per person and it's all-inclusive: the masquerade welcome aperitif, the grand traditional gala dinner served in the saloons, the dessert grand buffet, the open bar service all night long with a great chef surprise after midnight, a complete programme of entertainments and performances by international artists, games, jokes, and many different special events all night long."

A lower price for latecomers

Tragicomica also writes: "Mascheranda has also a special ticket at  €190 for people coming after the dinner at 11.00 p.m. They will enjoy the show and the performances, take part at the Grand Mask Ball, and accede to the open bar."

About the author:

Durant Imboden has written about Venice, Italy since 1996. He covered Venice and European travel at About.com for 4-1/2 years before launching Europe for Visitors (including Venice for Visitors) with Cheryl Imboden in 2001.

PC Magazine has called this "the premier visitors' site for Venice, Italy." Over the years, it has helped more than 30 million travelers. For more information, see About our site, our Europe for Visitors press clippings, and our reader testimonials.

Photo: Tragicomica.