San Miguel’s first theater—the Angela Peralta Theater

Published June 29, 2022

by Luis Felipe Rodriguez

The construction of the Ángela Peralta Theater began on April 1, 1871. From its earliest beginnings, the residents of San Miguel have always been fond of comedic performances, academic conferences and soirees.  This fondness for the performing arts included pastorelas—comic plays during the Advent season—and all kinds of other shows. But the city lacked an adequate space for such performances.

It was Juan Mañón, a progressive and enterprising man who held the position of Principal Administrator of State Revenues, who initiated the process that ultimately yielded the Angela Peralta Theater. He began the not-so-easy task of creating a theater for the city. Full of noble enthusiasm, he summoned neighbors, and formed a meeting of shareholders. He requested, and obtained help from the Municipality and the State Government. Then with the support of the neighborhood, he finished the building two years later. On November 20, 1865, Angela Peralta, known everywhere as the “Mexican Nightingale,” had just returned from a European tour. She was staying in the city of Guanajuato with her Italian opera company. So, an entourage from San Miguel de Allende went to ask her to open the new theater once it was built. It was because of her acceptance, and because she was such an eminent opera singer, that they decided to name the theater in her honor.

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