The Great National Theater It was one of the most beautiful buildings of the dawn of Independent Mexico. It was built between 1840 and 1844 by the Spanish architect Lorenzo de Hidalga and it was located on Cinco de Mayo and Bolivar avenues, in part of the land that today occupies the Palace of Fine Arts.
This large venue had a capacity of 2,395 seats. According to the ancient chroniclers, the National Theater became the most beautiful building in Mexico City and was the best in terms of the presentation of dramatic, lyrical and opera works.
The importance
According to specialists, the Grand National Theater is the most important work between the completion of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City and the construction of the Palace of Fine Arts.
Although its design was relatively simple, its splendor allowed it to compete with the great palaces of the New Spain period. The National Theater was inaugurated during the government of Antonio López de Santa Anna.
The construction of the theater was financed by the Guatemalan businessman Francisco Arbeu, who sought the support of the Santa Anna government.
“Don Antonio López de Santa Anna, eager to magnify and beautify Mexico, friend of the architect Hidalga, approved the choice and the plans and gave effective help to Arbeu, looking for capitalists who would acquire the property right to certain locations of the future. theater”.
Enrique de Olavarría and Ferrari, Historical review of theater in Mexico.
The measures of the National Theater were 42 meters of façade, 17.65 high and 98 deep. On the outside it was made of masonry, had iron doors and bricked floors. In its early years it was lit with oil lamps, from 1946 with hydrogen and, finally, with electric light. The furniture was made of mahogany and the seats had velvety red cushions.
The Great National Theater, an enclosure with a short life
During its existence, this enclosure received different names, commonly associated with the government in turn:
- Initially it was called Gran Teatro de Santa Anna
- Gran Teatro Vergara (due to its location)
- Gran Teatro Imperial (during the Second Mexican Empire)
- Great National Theater
The Grand National Theater was demolished in the period of 1900 and 1902 with the intention of prolonging the Cinco de Mayo avenue.
The demolition of the Great National Theater was justified with the project of the Palace of Fine Arts, which began to be built in 1904 on part of the lot it occupied.
During the years of construction of the Palace of Fine Arts, performances were given at the Teatro Principal and Teatro Arbeau.
Rodrigo Osegueda Philosopher by training. Contemplate the soul and imagination of Mexico.
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