Enjoy Nights Filled with Music and Theater

The leading lady of Mexican operetta, Esperanza Iris, still reigns in musical history, both for her incredible voice and dramatic abilities and for being the first woman in Mexico to open her own theater. Today it is known as the Teatro de la Ciudad Esperanza Iris (36 Donceles street). 

It is impossible to describe grandeur of the theater. Its architecture is inspired by the Gran Escala de Milán theater in Italy: columns, balustrades, gables, and neoclassical details are all present in its design. And of course, busts of Esperanza Iris, Georges Bizet, Franz Lehar, Giuseppe Verdi, and Jacques Offenbach also play a part in the decoration. 

When it opened, this was Mexico’s premiere theater, known for opera. Enrico Caruso, Ana Pavlova, Rosa Raisa, Tixa Ruffo, and Gabriella Besanzoni all performed here. It is said that some of them debuted here before singing in New York. While it was abandoned for years, its former beauty is now restored. Its great acoustics, functionality, and design keep it busy staging musical productions, dance presentations, theater, opera, operetta, zarzuela, and all kinds of musical performances. You should also check out Centro Cultural Teatro del Pueblo (72 República de Venezuela street). It opened in 1934 as part of a complex to house not only the theater but also a market and daycare. The theater is decorated with murals by students of Diego Rivera. 

Inside, the work of J. Campos W. is spectacular. He covered the vaulted ceiling’s arches with mirrors and drawings of animals and plants. Below these, there are paintings like medallions that honor famous playwrights.