Guillaume (William) Tell – Rossini
Rossini’s French Opera, William Tell
Guillaume Tell (William Tell), a French opera, by Gioacchino Rossini: William Tell plot summary, William Tell character list, and other Rossini opera information.
Gioacchino Rossini’s French Opera Guillaume Tell (William Tell)
- Composed:1828-1829
- First Performance:August 3, 1829, Théâtre de l’Académie Royal de Musique, Paris (France)
- Libretto:Étienne de Jouy and Hippolyte Louis-Florent Bis, based on Schiller’s play, William Tell.
- Setting:Canton of Uri, Switzerland, 14th century
- French Opéra in four acts
The Main Characters in Guillaume Tell (William Tell)
- Guillaume Tell, William Tell, a Swiss rebel hero (baritone)
- Arnold, Melchthal's son (tenor)
- Melcthal, Patriarch of the village (bass)
- Mathilde, an Austrian princess (soprano)
- Gessler, Austrian Governor of Switzerland (bass)
- Jemmy, Tell's son (soprano)
- Leuthold, a shepherd (bass)
- Rudolph, Austrian captain in Gessler's guard
Basic Plot Summary of Rossini’s opera Guillaume Tell (William Tell)
Act I:
Switzerland - William Tell is the head of the Swiss movement against the Austrians (led by Gessler) who occupy their area. Melcthal, the patriarch of the village and favors Tell, wishes that his son, Arnold, would marry. Arnold is in love with Mathilde, who is an Austrian princess. An archery contest (being won by Tell's son Jemmy) is interrupted by Leuthold. Leuthold has killed an Austrian soldier who was attempting to rape his daughter. Tell ferries Leuthold to safety. When the Austrians (led by Rudolph) arrive, they take Melcthal as a hostage as no one will give the name of who took Leuthold to safety. The Austrians ransack the village.
Act II:
Arnold and Mathilde proclaim their love for one another. William Tell interrupts and urges Mathilde to leave at once. Tell informs Arnold that his father has been murdered by Governor Gessler. Arnold seeks to avenge his father's murder and join the revolt against the Austrians. Three cantons meed to discuss rising up against the Austrians.
Act III:
Arnold and Mathilde agree that it is safer if they part. In the square, the Austrians make the Swiss bow down to Gelsser's hat. Tell refuses. Rudolph recognizes Tell as the person who ushered Leuthold to safety. Gelsser offers Tell a chance at freedom on the condition that he is to shoot an apple off the head of his son. Tell shoots the apple successfully, but is still arrested and taken to a castle on Lake Lucerne. The Swiss are outraged. Mathilde looks after Tell's son, Jemmy.
Act IV:
Arnold urges the Swiss to rise in rebellion. Jemmy is reunited with his mother who begs Governor Gessler for mercy. The uprising begins. Tell escapes and returns to shore. William Tell kills Gessler with an arrow. Arnold, while tell is killing Gessler, regains the town's freedom from Austrian rule. The town rejoices in thanksgiving.
If you like Guillaume Tell, here are some other operas written by Rossini:
- Tancredi
- L’italiana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algiers)
- Il turco in Italia (The Turk in Italy)
- Il barbiere di siviglia (The Barber of Seville)
- La Cenerentola (Cinderella)
- Le Comte Ory (Count Ory)
- Guillaume Tell (William Tell)
Please visit the article archives for more interesting articles about opera like this one about Rossini’s opera William Tell. Feel free to contact the Opera feature writer, Bryce by email if you have questions about Guillaume Tell or have any recommendations as to material you would like to see covered.
