Music composed by Gioacchino Rossini. Libretto by …tienne de Jouy and
Hippolyte-Louis-Florent Bis based on Friedrich von Schiller’s
First Performance: 3 August 1829, Paris OpÈra.
|Arnoldo, Amante Di Matilde||Tenor|
|Melchthal, Padre Di Arnoldo||Bass|
|Jemmy, Figlio Di Guglielmo||Soprano|
|Edwige, Moglie Di Guglielmo||Mezzo-Soprano|
|Matilde, Principessa Di Hasbourg||Soprano|
|Rodolfo, Seguace Di Gessler||Tenor|
Setting: Switzerland in the 13th century, near Altdorf in
the canton of Uri
Prior to the start of the opera, Arnold, son of the Swiss leader Melcthal,
has rescued Mathilde, an Austrian princess, from drowning. In spite of the
political situation, Arnold and Mathilde have fallen in love.
It is the day of the Shepherd Festival, in May, near Lake Lucerne. Per
tradition, Melchtal blesses the couples at the celebration. However, Arnold
excludes himself from this privilege, as he is torn between his love for his
country and his love for Mathilde. Horn fanfares interrupt the festival, and
herald the arrival of Gesler, the Austrian Governor, whom the Swiss detest.
Leuthold then enters, pursued by Gesler’s forces. One of Gesler’s
soldiers has attempted to assault Leuthold’s daughter, and Leuthold
killed the soldier to defend her. He wishes to escape, and the lake is the
only route. William Tell offers his assistance. Gesler’s guards arrive,
led by Rodolphe. Leuthold manages to escape with the help of Tell, but as
reprisal, Gesler’s guards take Melchtal prisoner.
In a valley by a lake, Arnold and Mathilde meet and again pledge their
love. Tell and Walter arrive, and inform Arnold that Gesler has ordered the
execution of Melcthal. Arnold vows vengeance. Arnold, Tell and Walter swear
an oath to liberate Switzerland. They inspire the cantons to unite in this
At the market-place in Altdorf, the day is the hundredth anniversary of
Austrian rule in Switzerland. In commemoration, Gesler has had his hat placed
on top of a pole and the Swiss are ordered to pay homage to the hat. Tell
arrives with his son Jemmy. Tell refuses to honour the hat. Gesler recognises
Tell as the man who saved Leuthold, and wants to punish him somehow. He
orders Tell to shoot an apple from Jemmy’s head, in the hope that Tell
will harm his son. Tell is successful in piercing the apple, and tells Gesler
that had the shot failed, he would have used his next arrow against him.
Gesler orders Tell to be arrested.
A Swiss rebel army arrives, and battle ensues. Tell kills Gesler with an
arrow through the heart. The Swiss emerge victorious. Mathilde and Arnold,
secure in their love, reunite at the close.
[Synopsis Source: Wikipedia]
image_description=Portrait of Friedrich von Schiller by Gerhard von K¸gelgen
first_audio_name=Gioacchino Rossini: Guglielmo Tell
product_title=Gioacchino Rossini: Guglielmo Tell
product_by=Attilio Barbesi (Leutoldo); Margherita Benetti (Jemmy); Giannella Borelli (Edwige); Mario Carlin (Un Pescatore); Mario Filippeschi (Arnoldo); Antonio Massaria (Melchthal); Angelo Mercuriali (Rodolfo); Anna Rovere (Matilde); Paolo Silveri (Guglielmo Tell); Paolo Washington (Un cacciatore); Nicola Zaccaria (Gessler); Raffaele AriÈ (Gualtiero F¸rst). Orchestra Sinfonica e Coro di Milano della RAI. Nino Sanzogno, conducting. Live broadcast, 30 January 1954, Rome.
product_id=Above: Portrait of Friedrich von Schiller by Gerhard von K¸gelgen