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Palacio de Bellas Artes Review

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Palacio de Bellas Artes

Address: Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas and Av. Juárez, Alameda Central, Mexico City
Phone: 55/5512-2593
www.bellasartes.gob.mx

Category: Arts/Performance Venues
Location: Centro Histórico and Alameda Central

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 5.0/5

Fodor's Review:

Construction on this colossal white-marble opera house was begun in 1904 by Porfirio Díaz, who wanted to add yet another ornamental building to his accomplishments. The striking structure is the work of Italian Adamo Boari, who also designed the post office; pre-Hispanic motifs trim the art deco facade. In fact, Boari was only present during the construction of the facade. The Revolution brought about an economic crisis, and he left the country in 1916. The opera house was not inaugurated until 1934. Inside the concert hall a Tiffany stained-glass curtain depicts the two volcanoes outside Mexico City. Today the theater serves as a handsome venue for international and national artists, including the Ballet Folklórico de México. For an entrance fee you can see the interior, with its paintings by several celebrated Mexican artists, including Rufino Tamayo and Mexico's most famous trio of muralists: Rivera, Orozco, and Siqueiros. There are interesting temporary art exhibitions as well, plus an elegant cafeteria and a bookshop with a great selection of art books and magazines. Note that when there is no exhibition at the museum, the entry is free, and it is still worth a visit to see both the murals and the building itself.

Cost: $3.50, free Sun.
Open: Tues.-Sun. 10-5; cafeteria 11-6
Metro: Bellas Artes

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by jwinhsv from Alabama on 3/31/09
for the Ballet Folklórico. I've seen them perform in various venues, but their home stage is unparalleled.