This rare carte-de-visite photograph shows eleven members of the Compañía Lírica Mexicana, a troupe who specialized in Italian opera. The company was directed by Miguel Meneses. Considered to be one of the most important composers of 19th-century Mexico, Meneses was also the brother of organist Clemente Meneses and uncle to pianist and conductor Carlos J. Meneses. In 1859, Miguel Meneses was appointed conductor of the Italian opera company of Luigi Donizetti. In Mexico City, he founded his own music academy in 1861, which was absorbed by the City Council in1864. His opera “Agorante, Rey de la Nubia'' premiered during the commemorative festivities for the birthday of Emperor Maximilian 1.