Are you someone who looks for live concerts in Mexico City every weekend? Do you put on Mozart sonatas while making your morning coffee? Whether you’re the classical music expert in your friend group or want to become one, here’s everything you need to know about classical music in Mexico City: orchestras, events, and the best places in the city to listen to it.
Auditoriums, theaters, and venues featuring classical music in Mexico City
Palacio de Bellas Artes
It’s an icon of the city. And not just because of its architecture (impressive, we know) but also because of its very active cultural programming in both its Main Hall and the Manuel M. Ponce Hall: from symphonic concerts to recitals and chamber music. In fact, the Palacio de Bellas Artes is the official home of giants of the musical world such as the National Symphony Orchestra (OSN), the Bellas Artes Chamber Orchestra (OCBA), and the Bellas Artes Theater Choir.
Plus, this is where the country’s opera season usually takes place. Did you know that opera legends like Maria Callas and Montserrat Caballé have graced its stage?
El Cantoral
Even if you’ve never been there, chances are you’ve heard of the Roberto Cantoral Cultural Center. Better known as El Cantoral, its programming doesn’t include only classical music, but it’s definitely worth a visit when there is a performance.
Highlights include the famous Candlelight concerts, with a year-round program that includes recitals dedicated to Vivaldi or Tchaikovsky. Plus, of course, other seasonal concerts featuring major ensembles such as the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra (OFCM) or the Bellas Artes Chamber Orchestra (OCBA).
CENART
The National Center for the Arts (CENART) is a grand temple of the arts in general. A unique and modern setting that includes theater, dance, and, of course, classical music. It serves especially as a stage for top-tier ensembles and soloists such as pianist Cyprien Katsaris, the CEPROMUSIC ensemble, or musicians from INBAL. Meanwhile, recurring series such as the “En Blanco y Negro” International Piano Festival or “La ópera es Puro Cuento” are testament to its active and consistent classical programming.
University Cultural Center
You’ve probably heard of the Nezahualcóyotl Hall (one of the most important in Latin America) or the Carlos Chávez Hall (designed for chamber music and solo recitals). Well, both are located at the University Cultural Center. Another essential venue for listening to classical music, featuring a consistent and well-structured program.
Its Chamber Music Festivals throughout the year are particularly noteworthy, as is the summer season of the Minería Symphony Orchestra (where the OSM holds an intensive festival that usually concludes with grand galas, such as performances of complete symphonies by Mahler or Beethoven).
Ollin Yoliztli Cultural Center
Located in the south of the city and home to the OFCM, the Ollin Yoliztli Cultural Center features two iconic halls: the Silvestre Revueltas (the main stage) and the Hermilo Novelo ( a smaller auditorium).
It’s one of the places in Mexico City that always comes to mind for classical music lovers, and its active program is one of the main reasons why. Concerts every weekend during the OFCM’s official seasons, chamber music recitals, educational and family-friendly concerts… A paradise for classical music.
Orchestras in Mexico City
National Symphony Orchestra (OSN)
Its official home is the Main Hall of the Palacio de Bellas Artes, where the vast majority of its concerts are held throughout the year. Since its founding in 1949, the National Symphony Orchestra has been one of the most important classical ensembles, with regular seasons and a highly varied classical repertoire that includes Baroque and Romantic programs. And at the podium, highly prestigious figures such as Carlos Chávez, Luis Herrera de la Fuente, and Eduardo Mata have led the musicians.
UNAM Philharmonic Orchestra (OFUNAM)
It is one of the city’s most important orchestras. And it was created in a very interesting way, as it was formed through the initiative of teachers and students from the current School of Music. This happened in 1929, and since 1976, the Nezahualcóyotl Hall has been its permanent home. In fact, that is where OFUNAM currently offers three annual concert seasons, in addition to maintaining its ongoing activities in UNAM schools and faculties.
Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra
Created with the aim of democratizing classical music in Mexico City and moving it beyond traditional venues, the OFCM has its official home in the Sala Silvestre Revueltas. Its founder and main promoter was conductor Fernando Lozano in the late 1970s. And, since then, the orchestra has maintained seasons with consistent and regular programming throughout the year.
Bellas Artes Chamber Orchestra (OCBA)
Composed solely of strings, it first performed under the name Yolopatli Chamber Orchestra, which in the Nahuatl language means“Relief of the Heart.” And hearing it live feels a bit like that. It is currently the Bellas Artes Chamber Orchestra and is one of the most important in the capital, with concerts held every year during spring and fall/winter at the Manuel M. Ponce Hall of the Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Silvestre Revueltas Auditorium of the National Conservatory of Music.
Classical music series and festivals in Mexico City
Mexico City Historic Center Festival
It is the city’s oldest festival, and every year it proves why it remains an essential event for the arts. In addition to dance, theater, and visual arts, classical music is a cornerstone of its programming, featuring symphonic concerts and chamber recitals at iconic venues such as the Palacio de Bellas Artes, the Teatro de la Ciudad Esperanza Iris, or the Zócalo Capitalino.
It usually takes place over two or three weeks in the spring between March and April, although on rare occasions some editions have been moved to the end of the year.
“En Blanco y Negro” Festival
It’s not all about orchestras when we talk about classical music in Mexico City. And the prestigious “En Blanco y Negro” International Piano Festival proves it. Created with the intention of bringing together national and international virtuoso pianists in one place, this festival’s repertoire ranges from great classical pieces by composers like Mozart or Chopin to classical jazz and tributes to legends like Astor Piazzolla or Manuel de Falla.
It always takes place at the Blas Galindo Auditorium at CENART, and since it’s an autumn festival, it usually runs throughout the month of September on weekends.
Chamber music series at museums in Mexico City
Are you someone who loves experiencing concerts in different venues? The Chamber Music Series in Mexico City’s museums is the perfect option for you. Dozens of museums, such as the MUNAL, the National Museum of Anthropology, and the MUAC, host chamber music concerts featuring everything from soloists to duets and quartets.
One of the (many) advantages of this series is that it has performances practically all year round, usually on weekends. Plus, admission to the concerts is often included with the museum ticket (or admission is free, with limited seating).
Minería Symphony Orchestra (OSM) Summer Festival
One of the city’s must-see musical events. A summer festival performed by the OSM, with the Sala Nezahualcóyotl at the University Cultural Center as its undisputed home, where you can hear monumental repertoires, such as Mahler’s or Beethoven’s complete symphonies.
Plus, it often features renowned soloists from around the world. In the past, for example, they’ve hosted violinist Augustin Hadelich and pianist Gabriela Montero. The season typically runs during July and August for about 8 or 9 weeks, usually on Saturdays and Sundays.
“La ópera es puro cuento” Series
For opera lovers and so that the little ones at home will love it too: that’s the “Opera Is Just a Story… and So Are Ballet and the Circus” series. An annual event at CENART where productions with colorful sets and performances of classical music and dance are presented with a playful approach.
With very affordable prices (tickets usually hover around $150), this concert series typically runs throughout the summer break, starting in late June and spanning all of July and early August, with performances on weekends.
