When a high school choir performed the William Tell Overture at their crowded end-of-semester concert, the audience was in for more than a taste of classic Italian opera. The choir had a humorous bent to their performance that left ticket holders roaring with appreciation.
Why the horse, you ask? Well, the William Tell Overture was what the choir members suddenly began “ba-da-bump”ing to in perfect melodic harmony, and in a horse-like manner. That tune, as most are probably familiar with, is the theme song to “The Lone Ranger” TV show from way back in the day, not to mention the overture of the world-famous opera classic by Rossini.
Adding to the humor and the drama—by now they had the entire crowd roaring and cheering—the singers weren’t content to stand planted like fence posts, but rather, they began galloping in a manner reminiscent of Korean pop singer Psy’s “Gangnam Style!”
The choir was accompanied onstage by the high school’s pianist, Melissa Thorne, who helped the galloping tune along.
“Gangnam Style!” added another. “Haha, in all seriousness, this [is] great.”
“Somebody missed an opportunity not using these young people in a TV reality show,” one viewer commented. “They are talented and so adorable! Delightful performance.”
Another offered a little performance solidarity. “This is exactly what we’re doing when we’re practicing the piece without an instrument lol,” they said.
The original William Tell opera by Gioachino Rossini was premiered in 1829, and the “Lone Ranger” theme opens the musical just as it does in the 20th century TV program of the masked hero.
The rousing composition was the last of Rossini’s 39 operas. Today, the Overture is still a favorite among some of the most esteemed orchestras in the world. Notably, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra played their own rendition of the finale to the Overture one year after the Timpanogos High School performance lent a thoroughly different interpretation to the classic piece.
