Rossini–William Tell Overture

By
In HOW OPERA BECAME GRAND OPERA
  0

The second overture today was conducted by Arturo Toscanini on March 15, 1952 at Carnegie Hall with his NBC Symphony Orchestra. It is the Overture to the comic opera William Tell by Rossini.

The first three minutes will not be known to you, as the slow and tragic sound is unfolded. From 3 to 4:33 minutes, you will hear music that has been adopted by movie producers and used to depict storms at sea over the years. At the 5:26 mark, you will hear some lovely pastoral music. However, by 7:58, you will hear the classic trumpet fanfare that takes you into familiar ground. Toscanini treated the entire Overture with the utmost respect and love. The entire overture lasts about 11 minutes; then you are treated to one minute of applause for the 85 year old conductor.