William Tell is the last of the 39 operas composed by Italian composer Gioachino Rossini. The overture to the opera has become far more popular than the opera itself and is very much a staple of the light classic repertoire.

 

The overture's main themes have been re-used in other contexts both in the classical world and within popular media. Rossini's lyrical melodies lend themselves to the world of parody and parts of the overture have featured heavily in the cartoons of Walt Disney and Looney Tunes and also on Radio and television, most notably the 50's classic The Lone Ranger and the comical satire of the legendary Spike Jones.

 

The finale of the overture March of the Swiss Soldiers is a fast paced gallop evoking images of a cavalry charge. The finale is the most widely celebrated and used section of the overture and has been superbly arranged here by David Childs.