Pushkin himself was delighted with the sincerely lyrical, captivating melodies of the Italian composer Gioacchino Rossini. He became the author of the famous "Barber of Seville", "Cinderella", "Italian in Algeria". And he also wrote the heroic-patriotic opera "William Tell", in which there is a lot of pathos of the liberation struggle. The plot of this work tells the story of the legendary Swiss patriot of the XIV century. The opera by J. Rossini "William Tell" deserves your attention. This is the longest opera of the composer and his last creation. Get acquainted with the history of its creation, a brief summary of the actions, features of music.
The story of the creation of the opera "William Tell"
The basis of the great creation of Joachkino Rossini was the drama of the great German poet F. Schiller. The composer also studied other heroic revolutionary operas on the same topic. The master worked on his creation for about six months. The result was an opera in 4 acts. This is Rossini's longest work. On August 3, 1929 in Paris, the Royal Academy of Music presented the premiere of the opera "William Tell". The author was not very happy with the result, because the six-hour performance seemed to him too tedious. The audience was delighted with the audience, because the theme was very relevant. And the composer cooled down to writing and turned only to sacred music. Critics spoke very positively about the opera William Tell.
The work turned out to be so huge that often only one of its parts was used for theatrical productions in Paris. The work was praised by Richard Wagner. He called the highest example of creating melodies "William Tell". In it, he saw a combination of free singing, an emphasis on every word, reverent accompaniment of the cellos, the highest expression.
The greatness of the overture to Rossini's opera
In musical works such as opera, an overture always follows first. This is a kind of instrumental orchestral play as an introduction. The overture to the opera "William Tell" by Rossini was a great start, introduction, opening of a great masterpiece. She became the most famous orchestral music, which is used even today in orchestra concerts. The notes of the overture to the opera "William Tell" by Rossini want many musicians to have in their piggy bank. With his original introduction, Rossini put an end to the classical style of the musical composition. It marked the beginning of a romantic overture, after which 4 parts followed, which resembled a mini-symphony.
A wonderful introduction to this opera can only be competed with Intermezzo Mascagni in Rural Life. The public always enthusiastically perceives it. The creators of one of the Disney cartoons took advantage of this feeling and used the overture melody for musical accompaniment. At first the cellist's solo sounds, then the timpani draw a picture of the storm, then the piccollo flute betrays raindrops. The Swiss tune is played by an alpine horn, it is replaced by a French horn, then fanfares, replaced by a gallop, sound.
Meet the actors
In the opera "William Tell" we meet with the following parts:
- William Tell (baritone);
- Gedwig, his wives (contralto);
- Arnold Melchtal (tenor);
- Walter Furst (bass);
- Arnold Melchtal's father (bass);
- Tell's son, Jammy (mezzo-soprano);
- Gesler, the Austrian governor (bass);
- fisherman Rowdy (tenor);
- the shepherd Loythold;
- Guard Captain Rodolph (tenor);
- hunter (tenor).
We also meet with Gesler’s soldiers, pages, ladies from Matilda’s entourage, shepherds, dancers, hunters, Swiss peasants.
Events I actions
The protagonist is William Tell, the legendary Swiss patriot of the XIV century. The country was then held under the yoke by the Austrian governor Gesler, showing particular tyranny. Following an ancient custom, the Swiss are preparing a spring holiday meeting. It blesses couples entering into a marriage. The famous shooter Tell appears in the crowd of jubilant people. He is visited by thoughts about his homeland, which has already been enslaved by foreign invaders for a hundred years. The elder of the shepherds Melchtal blesses the young, only his son, Arnold, stands aside sad. He passionately loves the Austrian princess Matilda. She forced him to side with the enemies of his native land.
Suddenly, the sounds of horns. This Gesler is approaching with his squad. Arnold rushes to meet them in the hope of seeing Matilda. Tell calls not to do this, but to defend his homeland. The shepherd Leithold appears, pursued by Gesler’s soldiers, because they killed one soldier for an attempt on his daughter’s honor. To escape, he needs to swim to the other side. The fugitive does not find help from the fisherman, because he is afraid of waterfalls and dangerous rapids. But Tell, the shepherd gets into the boat and transports him. The fugitives chase, but they slip away. Soldiers drive away all the people and, threatening death, they demand to give the name of the assistant to the escape. It turns out that old Melchtal refuses the enemies of the whole village. Soldiers grab the old man, execute him and begin to rob and set fire to houses. After such a heavy reprisal, a real anger wakes up among the people.
II action: short description
In the second act, Matilda, the daughter of the tyrant Gesler, appears. She was left alone in a dark forest, waiting for Arnold and singing. She confesses to him her tender feelings and asks to leave her homeland for the purpose of feats of arms. The girl swears allegiance to him. Tell and Walter Furst appear. The Swiss remind Arnold of his duty to his native land. A man is tormented by love for Matilda. Then he learns about the tragic massacre of foreigners over his father. This causes a thirst for revenge in the soul. All three Swiss unite and promise to fight for the freedom of their country. At night they gather people and swear allegiance to freedom. Everyone is waiting for a signal light to start an uprising.
Summary of action III
Arnold in the chapel meets with Matilda. They say goodbye, because a man must avenge the death of his father. It’s getting light, the soldiers are awakening in the Gesler military camp. Everyone begins to be driven to the fairground to celebrate the centenary of Austrian power. Gesler is having a party. The governor's helmet is lifted onto the pole. All passing residents of the village should bow to them. Intimidated people carry out the order, only the brave Tell refuses to do this. Gesler figured out how to persuade the daredevil. He ordered the capture of his son, Jammy. The young man put an apple on his head, and Tell had to pierce it from an onion. Gesler sets the condition that if he gets into the apple, he will release both of them, and if he misses, he will be executed. Little Jamie is calm and confident. This behavior of his son gave Tell confidence. He shoots accurately and knocks down an apple. The people rejoice with delight, but Tell loses consciousness due to tension. Another arrow falls out of his hands, which he saved for Gesler. By order of the governor Tell was arrested. He was imprisoned for the rest of his life. Jammy's son was saved by Matilda, tearing him out of the hands of the soldiers. Tell manages to convey a message to his wife, in which he talks about when to begin the uprising of the cantons.
IV action
Arnold comes to his father’s hut, where everything reminds him of his childhood. The man does not leave the thought of freeing Tell from prison. He calls on the villagers with weapons in their hands to fight the enslavers. Matilda comes to the village with little Jammy. The son runs to the mother, heartbroken. Matilda's love for Arnold makes Matilda take the side of the Swiss. She declares herself a hostage to save Tell's life. Gesler ordered Wilhelm to be taken to a prison boat on a small island. People learn that the boat with Tell will sail near the village.
To signal the start of the uprising, Jammy sets fire to his father's house. The Swiss come running ashore with weapons, who pray for the salvation of the boat with Wilhelm, caught in a storm. Tell was an experienced pilot, so he managed to steer the boat toward the shore. He jumps out of a boat onto a rock and runs away from his pursuers. Gesler’s persecution was in vain. Jammy brings his father a bow with arrows, and he kills Gesler. Enemy soldiers run away from the rebel people. The rebels take control of the fortified castles of the Austrians. The patriots are led by a young Arnold. All Swiss have fun and enjoy the long-awaited freedom. Matilda from the camp of the enemy passed to the rebels and agrees to marry Arnold.
Arias Tell and Matilda
William Tell allocated the most famous aria. With his cry of his soul, he calls on his son Jemmy to endure all trials. After this comes the crying of the cello. Wilhelm’s aria makes the opera amazing. Confident singing captivates not only the audience, but also inspires other actors.
Powerful and at the same time melodic seems Matilda’s aria. It clearly reveals the internal state of the heroine. The flowing melody is replaced by a persistent, excited rhythm. There is anxiety and undercurrent of suffering.
Features of music at the beginning of the action
In the heroic-patriotic opera "William Tell" one can feel the pathos of the liberation struggle. The heroic overture conveys the purity and nobility of people from the people. The main place in the opera is given to mass choral scenes. The Italian composer, author of the opera "William Tell" was able to convey the picturesque nature, magnificent processions, love scenes with music. Ballet scenes are also included. Rossini was able to incorporate the tunes of Swiss and Tyrolean national folklore. Pastoral-idyllic images are replaced by heroic ones. The march from the opera "William Tell" is particularly striking.
Rejoicing at the end of the opera
In the overture, four cellos are soloed. The symphonic picture of the storm is replaced by a radiantly victorious march. The first act is characterized by monumental choral scenes. In the finale, the drama is heating up. In the second act, forest romance is felt, hunting horns sound. The lyric romance of Matilda sounds. A special place in the music is given to Tell’s courageous grief, to Jemmy’s touching pleas, to Gesler’s cruelty. In the last act, anxiety and emotion are felt. The melody is intertwined with Italian liberation songs. The dramatic climax of the opera is conveyed by the orchestral picture of the storm. In the finale, unlimited rejoicing in honor of freedom and justice is felt.
Rossini's opera "William Tell" on world stages
This masterpiece is considered the pinnacle of Rossini's creativity. In it, he was able to reveal all his talent. Despite the technical difficulties of staging the opera and its size, many theaters in the world included it or parts in their repertoire. From French, the libretto was translated into Italian. In 1838, the work was staged in Russia only under the censored name Karl the Bold. Many famous performers shone in the arias of Rossini's opera: Battistini, Zancanaro, Milns, Gobbi, Montserrat Caballe. During the Second World War, the Bolshoi Theater staged William Tell.