The "William Tell Overture" was written as the orchestral introduction to Gioacchino Rossini's opera William Tell (Guillaume Tell in its original French). Although the opera is no longer regularly performed, the overture has become a part of popular culture, having been used in Mickey Mouse and Looney Tunes cartoons, and as the theme to The Lone Ranger radio and television series since 1933.

PerformancesEdit

• The "William Tell Overture" was performed by a Muppet band on episode 320 of The Muppet Show. Beauregard stood against the stage's proscenium after explaining that he was in the number to Sam the Eagle. At the end of the piece, the double bass player used the strings of his bass as a bow to shoot the bass's bow across the stage. The projectile then pierced an apple situated on Beauregard's head, in a reference to the Swiss legend of William Tell on which the overture's opera was based.

• A chorus of chickens clucked the "William Tell Overture" as Gonzo performed a waterskiing stunt at the aquacade in the The Muppets Take Manhattan.

• The song was one of many overtures encountered by Grover in the book and tape set Grover's Overtures.

• The song accompanied a Plaza Sésamo film of kids picking up trash on a shoreline. (EKA: Episodio 828)

Album ReleasesEdit

• The Muppets Take Manhattan soundtrack

NotesEdit

• The father and son team of William and Walter Tell appeared on episode 307 of The Muppet Show, where they attempted their arrow through the apple act. The Overture, however, was not played.