During an unforgettable evening where emotion and vocal excellence merged at the iconic Ángela Peralta Theater, the Mazatlán Municipal Institute of Culture, Tourism, and Art paid a well-deserved tribute to the visionary men and women who laid the foundations for our port city’s cultural movement.
The recognition took place during the concert “We Love Opera… Heading to the Great Stages” (*Amamos la Ópera… rumbo a los grandes escenarios*), a living testament to the effort, discipline, and vision of this group of pioneers who succeeded in transforming Mazatlán into a true benchmark for culture and the arts in Mexico.
During the moving ceremony, the audience offered applause in gratitude and recognition of the dedication and passion of key figures in culture and the arts: Toy Gutiérrez de Pruneda, Lola Sacristán de Berdegué, Antonio Haas, Ricardo Urquijo, Jane Abreu, Héctor Torres Nafarrate, Raúl Rico González, Enrique Patrón De Rueda, Antonio González, Antonio López Sáenz, María Teresa Uriarte, Paty Coppel, Anabella Saénz Unger, Juan José León Loya, Clara Pelayo Osuna, and Efigenia Hernández de Pescador.
This tribute held even deeper significance for having taken place at the Ángela Peralta Theater—declared a National Historic Landmark in 1990. Originally inaugurated in 1874, the theater had fallen into ruin but was subsequently rebuilt thanks to the efforts of the Mazatlán community.
*The Fruit of a Great Legacy*
“We Love Opera… Heading to the Great Stages” represented the visible triumph of this cultural heritage. Soprano Vanessa Gama and mezzo-soprano Rose Ferreiro dazzled on stage, delivering a spectacular farewell concert before setting off to compete and represent Mazatlán, Sinaloa, on prestigious international stages.
Instrumental accompaniment was provided by the Camerata Mazatlán, another jewel of the city’s rich musical heritage. Renowned Mazatlán-born conductor Maestro Enrique Patrón De Rueda—an undisputed pillar of the national and international opera world—earned the audience’s acclaim as guest conductor. His leadership has not only upheld the city’s reputation but has also served to mentor, guide, and train generations of singers who now shine on stages across the globe.
*A breeding ground for talent*
Thanks to the path paved by the cultural and arts advocates honored that evening, Mazatlán has established itself as a major hub for cultural development in the country. Through the Municipal Center for the Arts, the port city flourishes as an inexhaustible cradle of creative talent. This commitment to the arts is evident in the dance sector—featuring the prestigious Mazatlán Professional Dance School (EPDM), the Municipal Classical Ballet School, and the School of Music—as well as through comprehensive training in visual arts, literature, filmmaking, theater, and folk dance.
Alongside these educational efforts, the city champions high-production opera projects that rival those of Mexico’s largest cities.
