The history of Balestra's mate is interesting because it is associated with two chess players from the 19th century.
This mating pattern was first demonstrated in a game between Serafino Balestra and an unknown player in Genoa in 1875. However a similar combination was also shown in a game between English master Samuel Boden against Schulder in London in 1853. That's why this mate is sometimes called the Boden-Balestra mate.
Serafino Balestra was an Italian chess player and problem composer. He was born in 1831 in Genoa and was known for his aggressive attacking style of play. Besides practical play he was involved in composing chess problems and studies.
This mate often occurs in miniatures (short games) and blitz games where one side allows a weakening of the king's position in the opening or early middlegame. The difference between Balestra's mate and Boden's mate is that in Balestra's mate one of the bishops is replaced by a queen. This is why the mating patterns are very similar.
The combination is so spectacular that it is included in virtually all tactical textbooks and combination collections for beginner chess players.