1. Verdi's Rigoletto
- Act II takes place at a grand ball hosted by the Duke of Mantua, where a masquerade is held. Many characters attend the ball in disguise, leading to mistaken identities and dramatic interactions.
2. Rossini's La Cenerentola
- The title character, Cinderella, is able to attend the prince's ball after her fairy godmother magically transforms her appearance. While at the ball, Cinderella loses one of her glass slippers, leading to the famous shoe test the next day.
3. Mozart's Don Giovanni
- In Act II, Don Giovanni hosts a masquerade ball to distract his creditors. The ball features various masked guests and provides an opportunity for characters to conceal their true identities.
4. Strauss's Die Fledermaus
- This comedic opera features a masquerade ball in Act II. During the ball, mistaken identities and romantic intrigue ensue, leading to humorous situations and misunderstandings.
5. Puccini's Un ballo in maschera
- The opera's title translates to "A Masked Ball." The story centers around a masked ball held by the King, where conspiracies and betrayals surround the characters in pursuit of love and power.
6. Verdi's La Traviata
- The famous soprano aria "Sempre libera" is sung by Violetta at a lavish party with a masquerade ball. This party takes place in Act I and showcases Violetta's lifestyle of extravagance and pleasure-seeking.
7. Wagner's Das Rheingold
- In the first opera of the Ring Cycle, a masquerade is held at Valhalla to celebrate the completion of the gods' hall built by the giants. Alberich, the dwarf, arrives disguised to cause chaos and eventually steal the magical gold from the Rhine maidens.
These are just a few examples of operas featuring masquerade balls, and they add a sense of mystery, intrigue, and excitement to the plot.