their history traces back to the masquerade tradition of venice, italy and their first appearance on brazilian shores was at the behest of clara delmastro, wife of the italian ambassador who in 1840 hosted the first of what would become a beloved tradition at the teatro lírico do rio de janeiro, the teatro de são januário.

carioca society, and soon the rest of the city, cottoned to the idea and today masquerade balls are de rigueur for all the city's revelers.

while nightclubs across the city throw balls with varying themes throughout the week of carnaval, easily most famous is the magic ball at the copacabana palace hotel.