William Tell in pictures
12 Jul 2018
Take a peek at our striking new production of William Tell and discover some interesting facts about how we brought our biggest production ever to the stage.
William Tell is a sharp-shooting hero on a quest for freedom. Our William Tell is charismatic baritone Armando Noguera, an expert in Rossini repertoire, making his role debut. He is one of 11 principals and part of our biggest international contingent yet.
In this action-packed epic, a peaceful rural community unites to rise up against a technologically superior occupying force. Their strong bonds of family and community gives them the strength to fight for freedom. This hope for a better world and the possibility of living in harmony continue to resonate in our modern world.
In William Tell there is not only rebellion and bloodshed, but also love. Arnold is torn between his patriotic duty and his love for Mathilde. While their love faces great challenges and at times seems impossible, William Tell proves that love can survive war.
Mathilde wears three different costumes throughout the production. Each one took more than a week to make.
William Tell's adversary is Gesler, the tyrannical leader of the occupying forces. When William Tell refuses to pay homage to golden bust of Gesler, he is forced to shoot an apple off his son’s head. Watch out for some theatrical magic.
It has taken 13 costume makers weeks to create the 48 Swiss costumes and 16 soldier costumes for the 48-strong chorus. The chorus includes students of Classical Voice from Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, The University of Melbourne.
There will be bloodshed, lives will be lost from both sides and the community will be changed forever. Our production uses three types of fake blood depending on where the blood is coming from and what costume is worn.
Amidst the public struggle for liberty are the family dramas of father and son: Meltchtal and Arnold, William and Jemmy; both involving the absolute of death. The role Tell's son Jemmy is a 'trouser' role sung by a soprano, as was the tradition at the time Rossini wrote his opera.
The beautiful gold braiding on Gesler and Mathilde's costumes was laboriously hand-stitched. In addition to four dressers, our backstage crew includes four stage managers, four mechanists and one armourer.
The opera ends with glorious ode to freedom and the beginning of a new life.
By Beata Bowes