Teatro Degollado

| Picture Gallery |

In 1855 the idea of having a Theatre worthy of the State of Jalisco, was conceived by the then Illustrious Governor General Santos Degollado, and a decree was issued for this purpose.

The Architect Jacobo Gálvez, who designed and developed the project, placed the first stone in 1856.

Originally, it was accepted to name the theatre “Alarcon” after Juan Ruiz de Alarcon y Mendoza, the most noticeable Mexican playwright in three viceroyalty centuries. However, after the dead of General Degollado a decree was issued to rename the building.

The official opening took place 10 years later with the Opera Lucia de Lamermoor by Donizzetti, and the soprano Angela Peralta, known worldwide as the "Mexican Nightingale."

The architectural style corresponds to the neoclassical period and currently, after being restored, is one of the best preserved theatres in Latin America.

In its portal a bright drum lights up to show the theme of "Apollo and the Muses" in high relief travertine marble; by the sculptor Benito Castaneda, with the engraved legend "May the rumor of discord never arrives."

In February 2007 "The Goddess of Fortune", a sculpture carved in Carrara marble between 1870 and 1880 by the Italian artist Carlo Nicoli, was restored by the Architect Hugo Andres Testolini Deza.

At the main hall, which is very similar to the Scala in Milan, there is a mural representing the Fourth Circle of Dante’s Divine Comedy, by Jalisco’s painters Jacobo Gálvez, Gerardo Suarez and Carlos Villaseñor. Close to the vault, there is a huge wooden-carved eagle; holding in its peak a piece of chain, while its claws hold the Mexican flag. From this, comes an omen which states that "if the eagle drops the chain, it would announce the fall of the Teatro Degollado.”

Another important detail is a paint named "Time and hours" in the center of the proscenium arch, by Felipe Castro circa 1880.

Throughout its history, the theater has reopened several times:

• The first one on September 13th, 1866, with the opera by Gaetano Donizzetti, Lucia de Lamermoor, and the soprano Angela Peralta.
• October 30th, 1880, with the operetta “The Bells of Carrion,”
• September 15th, 1910
• June 28th, 1941
• September 8th, 1964, and November 25th, 2005, with the opera “The Barber of Seville”, and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Jalisco.

There were highly relevant improvements, such as the golden leaf, 23 ¾ carats, in areas such as proscenium arch, on the colossal eagle, on frames, columns, and masks in auction proscenium.

The guillotine backdrop, that depicts a Greek scene called "Athens Festival" dated circa 1880 and painted by the Italian artist Carlos Fontana.

New flooring, seats, painting, lighting replacement, stave floors on stage and new installations of hydraulic platform, new air conditioning system and the remodeling of the backstage area, among others.

Nowadays, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Jalisco performs its concert seasons as well as opera, dance and cultural festivals.

The Chamber Hall, located at the basement for 120 people, hosts meetings, press conferences, chamber concerts, book presentations and lectures on musical appreciation.

Current capacity: 1027 spectators.