As the opening to their Autumn season (entitled Liberty or Death) W.N.O. chose Rossini's final opera Guillaume Tell. Anyone coming afresh to this opera ( the vast majority) will be forgiven for not immediately recognising it as Rossini. The writing is often closer to Donizetti or Verdi, even Wagner. The works of the latter are also reflected in the extreme length of the opera - a modern editor would certainly have applied his scissors to it, particularly the rather plodding second act. The familiar overture starts imaginatively with the solo cello (symbolic of the idyllic landscape and of the freedom of the Swiss people) placed centre stage as it is accompanied by the cellos of the orchestra. The theme of oppression is thus immediately stated as the Austrian oppressors pluck the player from the stage as the action begins.

We meet the eponymous hero (sung by baritone David Kempster),introduced as a family man with wife Hedwige (Leah Marian-Jones) and son Jemmy ( the excellent Fflur Wyn in a 'trouser' role).The theme of nationalism and defiance ,set against the love of patriot Arnold (sung by tenor Barry Banks, at his best in his magnificent aria at the beginning of the second half) becomes increasingly prominent.

The second half (acts 3 and 4) moves at far greater pace and is full of highlights. Ironically the splendidly malevolent Gesler (Clive Bayley) provides light relief as he taunts Tell from his wheelchair and issues his apple-splitting challenge to our hero.

Worthy of note throughout is the contribution of choreographer Amir Hosseinpour and his team of six dancers - their virtuosity added significantly.

All ends in triumph as the magnificent chorus sing their song thanksgiving for the beauty of nature and their liberation.