Classical Notes

Dick O’Riordan: INO works up a gallop to deliver William Tell opera

William Tell, Rossini’s final masterpiece and rarely seen on stage, opens for five performances by the Irish National Opera (INO) at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin, on November 8

Konu Kim (Arnold Melcthal), Máire Flavin (Mathilde) and Brett Polegato (William Tell) at the Swiss Embassy Dublin during the Irish National Opera launch of Rossini’s William Tell. Picture: Rollingnews

Everyone knows the legend. William Tell shot an apple from his son’s head with a crossbow under threat of execution, and launched the struggle for Swiss independence.

But Rossini’s opera about the folk hero is a work that most opera buffs have only heard of rather than seen – understandable, considering it has not been performed in Ireland for almost 150 years. That is about to change.

William Tell opens for five performances by the ...