About the work
A tragédie lyrique in three acts by Gaspare Spontini to a libretto by Étienne de Jouy and Joseph-Alphonse Esménard, first performed on 28 November 1809 at the Paris Opéra. Napoleon is said to have suggested the subject himself, and the opera served as musical propaganda for the French campaign in Spain.
Plot
Spanish commander Hernán Cortés stops his mutinous troops from retreating by burning his own ships and frees his brother Álvaro from Aztec captivity. He also loves the Aztec princess Amazily; in the finale he saves her at the last moment from being sacrificed in a temple, after which the two marry.
Cultural significance
The premiere was notorious for its lavish staging, including 17 live horses on stage, while critics objected to the harmonic daring of the score. With its mass scenes and historical subject, the opera is considered a forerunner of French grand opéra and was admired by Hector Berlioz, among others.