Gran Teatro Nacional (Mexico)

Historians consider it the most important architectural work in Mexico City between the completion of the Metropolitan Cathedral and the building of the Palacio de Bellas Artes.

The Great National Theatre was inaugurated in one of Antonio López de Santa Anna's terms as president.

In this period a scandal occurred relating to the opera Ildegonda by Melesio Morales, which premiered on 27 January 1866.

Around this time was the worldwide première of Cleopatra by Melesio Morales, writes Mañón:[2] The Great National Theatre was demolished between 1900 and 1901 to extend the Avenida Cinco de Mayo [es].

The demolition was justified with the promise that the theatre would be replaced by the Palacio de Bellas Artes, whose construction began in 1904, but was interrupted by the Mexican Revolution, and finally opened in 1934.

Great National Theatre
The Gran Teatro Nacional in Mexico City; painting by Pedro Gualdi
19th-century engraving depicting the great National Theatre of Mexico.
Pedro Gualdi: Interior of the Great Theatre of Santa Anna (later Great National Theatre of Mexico). 19th century.
The composer, Cenobio Paniagua (1821-1882)
The Great National Theatre would be replaced by the Palacio de Bellas Artes in 1904, but this did not happen until 1934.
Ángela Peralta , a talented soprano who regularly performed at the Great National Theatre.