The Conquest of Mexico

One of the biggest events of the Modern Age was the Spanish discovery of Americas. This event completely changed our view of the world, which was still undiscovered, and had a huge impact on the arts, from Montaigne to Voltaire and Purcell to Rameau. Often, historical interpretations of the period focus mainly on the destruction caused, but there is also another perspective: one of two differing cultures and two different visions of the cosmos. The culture imposed on the continent was only possible due to the internal fighting between native peoples, and the crucial role of Malinche. This is the theme chosen by Wolfgang Rihm, in The Conquest of Mexico reaches the climax in a duet between Montezuma and Hernán Cortés, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful duets in 20th century opera. The premiere in Spain and new production by the Teatro Real.