William Tell Overture

Arguably the most famous opera overture, this piece is known to audiences thought the world, but it is only the final of four sections of the complete overture, which opens with an andante section. The andante is followed by an allegro section and another andante section, concluding with the famous allegro vivace.

Sample Page
*Arrangement comes printed in a 10"x6" booklet with sturdy paper cover. (shown)

William Tell was first performed in Paris on August 3, 1829. It was supposed to have been the first of five "opera seria" and was originally produced with five acts. Later Rossini reduced it to four acts, but still the opera takes almost six hours to perform. It has often been presented in a series of single acts. The William Tell enjoyed wide-spread success with over five hundred performances by the time Rossini died.

Rossini was born February 29, 1792, in Pesaro, Italy. His comic operas were so popular that Rossini was able to retire at the age of 37. He died in Paris on November 13, 1868.

Performance Notes:

Play a recording of the overture for your singers. Try having the voices imitate the instruments of the orchestra, French horns, strings, etc... Use the lips extensively to execute the sixteenth note runs so important in building the excitement in this piece.

Above all, have fun rehearsing and performing this overture.