Following the success of La Vestale, Spontini set this heroic fresco to music, inspired by the story of the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the 16th century. Napoleon, aware of the potential of the arts as a vehicle for propaganda, suggested the subject to the composer, hoping in this way to encourage support for his Iberian military campaign. Set against a historical backdrop, the work revolves around a love affair between the Aztec princess Amazily and Cortez: the Spanish captain convinces his troops to help him free his brother Alvar, who has been taken prisoner, and kidnap Amazily. The Aztec oracle demands a sacrifice to ward off the enemy. Amazily, overcome with remorse, offers herself, but is saved in extremis by Cortez’s troops. The protagonist presents himself as the saving hero who has come to save the native populations from the slavery imposed by the indigenous religion. In other words, he perfectly embodies the figure of the Emperor, eager to impose himself on Europe as the herald of individual civil liberties. The premiere of the work caused quite a stir, and the press was divided despite its success. In addition to the music and Caroline Branchu’s brilliant interpretation of the role of Amazily, certain spectacular elements appealed to the public, notably the presence of 17 horses on stage.