Modern Music Palace coming to Centro

Officials pose around a scale model of a planned Museum of Music. Courtesy the governor's office.
Officials pose around a scale model of a planned Museum of Music. Courtesy the governor’s office.

Mérida, Yucatán — The sounds of traditional Yucatecan and Mexican folk music will be celebrated in the Palacio de la Música, which was formally unveiled Friday at the government palace with Gov. Rolando Zapata Bello and several national cultural officials presiding.

The $322 million peso Music Palace will replace former state legislative headquarters, which is a stone’s throw from some of the historic district’s most prized attractions, including the symphony hall and the Cathedral. In contrast, the building will be a modern, sleek structure, with clean lines.

A rendering of Mérida's new Music Palace. Photo: CONACULTA
A rendering of Mérida’s new Music Palace. Photo: Conaculta

Construction work is projected to begin in January. The building will feature a concert hall with a capacity for 400 people, a museum, a recording studio and a high-tech music library. Academic programs are planned at the museum as well. It is billed as the only museum of its kind in the country.

The launch ceremony of the Music Palace was accompanied by Mexican singer Natalia Lafourcade, who offered her repertoire of  music.

Here is a video depicting the museum’s modern lines. 

The project was originally conceived as a tribute to trova music. Previous stories.

 

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