From the Publisher's Desk
A Diamond in the Rough….. the Angela Peralta Theater
The most beautiful theater in any coastal town in Mexico stands as tall as a national historic monument in among the many newly renovated buildings and homes of Mazatlán´s Centro Historico.
 
It’s a grand Italian-style opera house which, when completed in 1874, was called Teatro Rubio after its first owner. The second owner, Juan Batista Hernandez, in 1878 renovated it to a more luxurious level by installing many wooden benches, balconies and fifteen colored stages made in Paris, making this theater the most comfortable and elegant in the region. For more than fifty years thereafter it has become one of the best known centers for the performing arts in Mexico, hosting many famous orchestras, operas, and drama companies.
 
Its deterioration began after the turn of the century. By the 1920s it was used for boxing matches, patriotic celebrations, moving picture shows, burlesque shows and even a workshop for “pulmonias.” In 1975 hurricane Olivia nearly destroyed the entire building. By the grace of God and the Mazatlán community´s desire to have back something they had lost, the theater was restored to its original condition, except for modern lighting, air conditioning, bathrooms and small changes which were installed in 1992.
 
In 1943 its name was changed to Teatro Angela Peralta, in honor of México’s famous opera singer. In 1883 Angela Peralta, deemed “The Nightingale of Mexico,” arrived by ship to perform in Mazatlán. On her arrival, the crowds which met her unhitched the horses from her carriage and carried to her hotel room. She was so taken aback by their enthusiasm that she performed for them from the balcony of the hotel. Unfortunately, the ship that brought her and her company also brought yellow fever, from which she died before her first performance.
 
The Angela Peralta Theater is a “must see” for everyone. If you happen to be in town, be sure to catch a performance (see the Pacific Pearl for times and performances or visit us at pacificpearl.com and click the Teatro Angela Peralta icon on the right side). Or if you just want to visit this 840 seat history-in-the-making monument, enter at the main door and for a small donation you can tour it on your own or with a guide.
 
Clearly, the arts in Mazatlán have advanced so much that some students from the area have gone on to become noted throughout Mexico, and famous national and international artists have performed here as well. I want to thank all the people who were and are involved in making the theater what is today. The theater has brought many great memories for me personally as I watched my daughters and their friends perform on its stage over the last 16 years. The future continues to look bright for performing arts in Mazatlán.
 
Michael J. Veselik
Publisher