Guillaume Tell

This is the NNTT premiere of Rossini's final opera and greatest masterpiece Guillaume Tell (William Tell). Based on Schiller's play about legendary hero William Tell, Guillaume Tell is a historical work depicting common people fighting for freedom under the oppression of the Habsburgs in the 14th-century Swiss Alps. Written in the grand opera style, this is a magnificent opera with numerous examples of chorus and ballet woven into it. Here, Rossini--who had already created numerous hits as the standard bearer of bel canto opera--aims for beautiful French-style melodies with this revolutionary work that opened new doors for Romantic-style grand opera.

The overture familiar to men and women of all ages, as well as the famous story of master archer William Tell perfectly shooting an apple on his son's head by order of the Gesler, are rather well known. The story also features another focal point around the pure love between Arnold, a young Swiss man, and Princess Mathilde of the Habsburgs, and portrays the rich natural beauty of the Alps with superb music. At the final curtain, led by pure harp, the voices of the sublime, large-scale chorus freely soar out, purifying a story filled with bloodshed.

The legendary Yannis Kokkos, renowned worldwide as a director and designer, joins the NNTT again after directing Le Rossignol and Iolanta in April 2021. Under the baton of Artistic Director Ono Kazushi who puts great trust in Director Kokkos, the title role is played by Gezim Myshketa, Arnold is played by René Barbera, a tenor who charms with a superhuman voice, and Mathilde is played by star soprano Olga Peretyatko, for a superb cast of bel canto all-stars. This will be the first time that Guillaume Tell is staged in the original language in Japan. We invite you to come and enjoy the NNTT premiere of Rossini's groundbreaking Guillaume Tell.