Urner Tellspiel
Encyclopedia
The Urner Tellspiel is the earliest surviving written version of a William Tel
play.
The debut performance of Urner Tellspiel (whose full title reads Ein hüpsch Spyl gehalten zuo Ury in der Eydgnoschafft) was probably held in winter 1512/1513 in Altdorf, Switzerland
.
However, it cannot be precluded that the story of William Tell was already frequently performed during the 15th century
in an impromptu way and without standard text dialogues, following the example of the commedia dell'arte
.
Apparently, the Urner Tellspiel was inspired to a great degree by the Song of the Founding of the Confederation
(German: Lied von der Entstehung der Eidgenossenschaft) as well as by Petermann Etterlin
's Chronicle of the Swiss Confederation
(German: Kronika von der loblichen Eydtgenossenschaft).
The Urner Tellspiel was frequently performed and revised during the last five centuries. Its popularity, for instance, is attested by a letter of the Swiss reformer Huldrych Zwingli
to his friend Valentin Compar in which Zwingli, a great admirer of this early Tell play, praised William Tell as "der gotskrefftig held und erster anheber eidgnossischer fryheit …, ursprung und stiffter einer loblichen Eydgnoschafft".
William Tell (opera)
Guillaume Tell is an opera in four acts by Gioachino Rossini to a French libretto by Etienne de Jouy and Hippolyte Bis, based on Friedrich Schiller's play Wilhelm Tell. Based on the legend of William Tell, this opera was Rossini's last, even though the composer lived for nearly forty more years...
play.
The debut performance of Urner Tellspiel (whose full title reads Ein hüpsch Spyl gehalten zuo Ury in der Eydgnoschafft) was probably held in winter 1512/1513 in Altdorf, Switzerland
Altdorf, Switzerland
Altdorf is the capital of the Swiss canton of Uri. The municipality covers an area of and is located at a height of above sea-level, to the right of the river Reuss.-Location:...
.
However, it cannot be precluded that the story of William Tell was already frequently performed during the 15th century
15th century
As a means of recording the passage of time, the 15th century was the century which lasted from 1401 to 1500.Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, falls to emerging Ottoman Turks, forcing Western Europeans to find a new trade route....
in an impromptu way and without standard text dialogues, following the example of the commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte is a form of theatre characterized by masked "types" which began in Italy in the 16th century, and was responsible for the advent of the actress and improvised performances based on sketches or scenarios. The closest translation of the name is "comedy of craft"; it is shortened...
.
Apparently, the Urner Tellspiel was inspired to a great degree by the Song of the Founding of the Confederation
Song of the Founding of the Confederation
The Bundeslied or Tellenlied is a patriotic song of the Old Swiss Confederacy.Its original composition dates to the Burgundian Wars period...
(German: Lied von der Entstehung der Eidgenossenschaft) as well as by Petermann Etterlin
Petermann Etterlin
Petermann Etterlin was born in Lucerne as the son of Egloff Etterlin, who served as chronicler of the city of Lucerne from 1427 to 1453. Although his parents had destined him for an ecclesiastical career, Etterlin never became a clergyman...
's Chronicle of the Swiss Confederation
Chronicle of the Swiss Confederation
The Chronicle of the Swiss Confederation is the oldest printed chronicle of Switzerland.The Chronicle of the Swiss Confederation was written by Petermann Etterlin’s from Lucerne...
(German: Kronika von der loblichen Eydtgenossenschaft).
The Urner Tellspiel was frequently performed and revised during the last five centuries. Its popularity, for instance, is attested by a letter of the Swiss reformer Huldrych Zwingli
Huldrych Zwingli
Ulrich Zwingli was a leader of the Reformation in Switzerland. Born during a time of emerging Swiss patriotism and increasing criticism of the Swiss mercenary system, he attended the University of Vienna and the University of Basel, a scholarly centre of humanism...
to his friend Valentin Compar in which Zwingli, a great admirer of this early Tell play, praised William Tell as "der gotskrefftig held und erster anheber eidgnossischer fryheit …, ursprung und stiffter einer loblichen Eydgnoschafft".