The Palace of Fine Arts (M: Bellas Artes, lines 2 and 8) is the home of the National Symphony Orchestra. The National Opera Company also stages productions here, usually January through March and August through October. The Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra (Orquestra Filarmónica de la Ciudad de México) gives concerts at Silvestre Revueltas Hall (Sala Silvestre Revueltas) and makes for a romantic date night. It is located at Anillo Periférico Sur #5141 (just east of Avenida Insurgentes Sur) in the southern suburb of Tlalpan.
International symphony, ballet and opera companies also perform at the National Auditorium (Auditorio Nacional), Paseo de la Reforma #50 in Chapultepec Park (M: Auditorio, line 7). There is a Ticketmaster outlet in the building.
The acclaimed National University Symphony hosts its concert program at Justo Sierra Auditorium (M: Universidad, line 3, south terminal), on the National University of Mexico campus. The hall is famed for its acoustics. Nezahualcoyotl Hall regularly presents performing artists and groups, including the University of Mexico Philharmonic Orchestra. It is located within the University Cultural Center, off Avenida Insurgentes Sur south of the main campus buildings.
Music al fresco can be heard on the street or at parks throughout the capital. Better yet, many of these performances—which range from mariachi music to heavy metal—are free. Sunday concerts often take place in Alameda Park, usually around noon, and near the Lake House (Casa del Lago) in Chapultepec Park . The main plazas in Coyoacán and San Angel often are the scene of weekend musical offerings.
International pop, rock and hip-hop acts take the stage at the National Auditorium; at the Sports Palace (Palacio de Los Deportes), in the eastern part of the city off avenidas Río Churubusco and Viaducto Río de la Piedad (M: Velódromo, line 9); and at Parque Foro Sol stadium, across Avenida Río Churubusco from the Sports Palace.
The state-of-the-art Mexico City Arena (Arena Ciudad de México) is in the northwestern part of the city off Avenida de las Granjas, Colonia Azcapotzalco. With a seating capacity of just over 22,000, it presents major pop and rock concerts, ice skating shows, circuses, and occasional boxing matches and NBA exhibition games. For a full lineup of events, check the arena's page on ticketmaster.com.mx.
The Ballet Folklórico de México is one of the standout offerings in Mexico City. Although tickets are sold in advance at the Palace of Fine Arts box office (on the ground floor at the main entrance), they may be difficult to obtain unless you purchase them at least a day ahead or book a tour that includes the ballet. Note: The troupe occasionally moves to the National Auditorium or the National Museum of Anthropology to accommodate visiting performing arts groups. Check the Ticketmaster website for specific schedule information.
Another eagerly anticipated event is the annual series of performances of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet “Swan Lake” at Chapultepec Park. Lago Menor, just south of Lake Chapultepec, provides a watery backdrop for the evening performances by Mexico's renowned Compañía Nacional de Danza troupe. Performances begin at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday from late February to late March. Amphitheater seats range from 160-200 pesos and should be reserved in advance. You can purchase tickets at the Palace of Fine Arts box office and at booths at the Del Bosque Cultural Center (Centro Cultural del Bosque) complex, within the park off Paseo de la Reforma and Calzada Chivatito.