La loa en Nueva España, siglos XVI y XVII

Abstract

A study of the dramatic prologue (loa) in New Spain during the first two centuries of the viceroyalty, the most prolific genre on the Mexican theatrical spectrum, with more than 120 proven examples. This study analyzes the development of the loa taking into consideration its versatility and typological variety, as it evolves throughout different contexts and situations (civil or religious fetes, commercial theater, Jesuit drama, outdoor productions). For instance, the loas de arco (trium­phal-arch prologues) are composed in order to explain the complex construction of triumphal arches for the solemn entrance of a viceroy or bishop into the main cities of Mexico.