The Best Theaters In Mexico

Teatro de Bellas Artes

The National Theater began to be constructed in 1904 by Italian architect Adamo Boari, finally becoming the spectacular Palacio de Bellas Artes. Construction was programmed to conclude in four years but took much longer because it started to sink due to the weight of its steel, concrete and marble structure, too heavy for Mexico City’s soil. It also took so long because the Mexican Revolution erupted in 1910. It was finally concluded and inaugurated in 1934. The impressive architecture of this venue is now one of Mexico’s proudest jewels. The theater’s curtain is made of crystal weighting 22 tons, to watch it being softly raised before each performance is a spectacle on its own. Its walls proudly display murals by Orozco, Rivera, Siqueiros and Tamayo, among others. It holds the testimony of the great artists and ideas that have been warmly received within its majestic premises.

Teatro de la República (Querétaro, Qro.)

This theater was inaugurated in 1852 as Iturbide Theater and changed its name in 1922. It is a historical treasure where some of Mexico’s greatest events have occurred. It proudly hosted the first performance of the National Hymn in 1854; it is also where Maximilian of Hapsburg and his Generals Miguel Miramon and Tomas Mejia were sentenced to death and where President Venustiano Carranza signed the Republic’s Constitution in 1917. It currently hosts some of the country’s most important displays of fine art.

Teatro Juárez (Guanajuato, Gto.)

This theater is a landmark in the City of Guanajuato. Inaugurated in 1903, it has been the venue of the most important artistic expressions in the region. It began its construction in 1973 and was inaugurated on October 27 1903 by President Porfirio Diaz, the occasion was crowned by the performance of the opera Aida. Its architecture is a sample of the eclecticism of its time. Its hall is in a U shape and it’s decorated in an Oriental style. Its outstanding curtain was made by the artist Labasta, from the Opera of Paris, recreating a fragment of the story “Constantinople’s Golden Horn”.

Teatro Isauro Martinez (Torreón, Coah.)

For the pride of the region’s dwellers, this theater is considered by tourist guides Roji and Michelin as Mexico’s second most beautiful. Inaugurated in 1930, this venue represents a vital cultural center for the region, exactly as its founder Isauro Martinez once dreamed it would be. The special characteristics of its architecture and decoration provide a perfect visibility and acoustic for all its 700 seats. The façade and interiors mix art deco with Arab and eclectic styles. Also outstanding is its frontal rosette with a great stained-glass window within an immense Moresque arch. Its concert hall was decorated by Spanish symbolist Salvador Tarazona, an intricate work of arabesque and relieves in Indonesian and Ottoman style. The impressive mural paintings on both sides of the stage show exotic scenes that quickly transport spectators to a magical world of beauty.

Teatro de los Héroes (Chihuahua, Chih.)

Designed by Architect Miguel Angel Garcia Dorantes and inaugurated by President Jose Lopez Portillo on October 2 1980, this modern theater is a worthy successor of its former namesake theater inaugurated in 1902. This Victorian style theater was in the same category as the best theaters in the country during the 19th century. Unfortunately, it burned down in 1955. The current version of this space hosts theater plays, opera, concerts, festivals and government acts for the pleasure of its 1429 seats.

Artículo Producido por el Equipo Editorial Explorando México.
Copyright Explorando México, Todos los Derechos Reservados.
(foto: Gato Azul)