City Theater Esperanza Iris

This theater, built in 1918, was long considered the city’s most important cultural venue—at least until the creation of the Palace of Fine Arts. From the moment it opened, it was named Esperanza Iris, after María Esperanza Bofill Ferrer, a Mexican singer and theater actress during the 20th century who was honoured by King Alfonso XIII of Spain and declared “Favourite Daughter of Mexico” in 1922. She was the one behind the construction of the theater in front of you, inspired by La Scala in Milan. Inaugurated by architects Ignacio Capetillo and Federico Mariscal in 1918, it has welcomed the greatest national and international performers ever since. When Esperanza Iris passed away, the theater was abandoned for about fifteen years before becoming city property and taking on the name of Teatro de la Ciudad, meaning “City Theater.” After undergoing restorations from 1999 to 2002, it now displays a more modernised interior with the latest technologies, and in 2008, it officially returned to its original name: Teatro de la Ciudad Esperanza Iris. Today, it hosts concerts and performances by some of the world’s most celebrated artists.