New Glarus-Wilhem Tell

1Wilhelm Tell Festival

2 Wilhelm Tell Festival

HistoryInspired by the vision of Edwin Barlow, a world traveler of the early 1900’s with New Glarus roots, the Wilhelm Tell Play has been presented annually on Labor Day Weekend since 1938. For the first three years, the play was performed in German only. The English production was staged for the first time in 1941.

For the first years of production, the performances were held at Elmer’s Grove, immediately to the east of the village of New Glarus in the area current known as Valle Tell. Since 1953, performances have been staged at the current site, a wooded valley on Highway W, just to the east of New Glarus. In 1974, after years of renting the performance grounds, from the neighboring Kubly farm, the Wilhelm Tell Community Guild purchased the land.

Some of the actors in our current performance were in the original 1938 production. Much has changed between that day and the current performance. The script has been edited somewhat, and for the first time, in 2010 the German performances were not held, though a special presentation of the original German version is planned for 2012. However, the actor still are, and have always been volunteer performers, bring to their roles a special enthusiasm.

If you are ever in Switzerland, you won’t want to miss the performances held all summer long in Interlaken. You can learn more about the Swiss performances at www.tellspiele.ch.

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Join the festivities - as we celebrate cheesemaking,

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Old World Tradition ... Out-of-this-World Celebration!

Oktoberfest sponsored by:

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OktoberfestEnjoy our multi-event weekend celebration

September 28-30, 2012Oktoberfest presents music, dancing, food

and events in downtown New Glarus

Oktobertfest Weekend Activities

• Live music in the fest tent - Bavarian, Polka, Rock, and Blues

• Great food - Street vendors plus New Glarus award-winning restaurants

• Beet tent serving New Glarus Brewery beers on tap

• The big cheese Swiss fondue pot - sample Switzerland’s national dish!

• Horse-drawn wagon rides• Chain saw carving• Antique tractor pulling

• Plus plenty of New Glarus gemiitlichkeit

For Oktoberfest information, call our Chamber Office at

800.527.6838or visit our website

www.swisstown.com


About the play

About the Author

Wilhelm Tell Drama

The Wilhelm Tell play is set near the end of the 13th century. The gradual decline of the Holy Roman Empire, of which the Swiss territory was a part, had enabled the Habsburg family to ascend to power in Austria and Switzerland.

The Waldstatte ( the forest cantons which are the original three Swiss cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden) pledged a symbolic allegiance to the Emperor years before, though they retained much of their autonomy. The Austrian House of Habsburg, desiring more control and higher taxes, sent a corps of officials to the Swiss Territory to generate higher revenues for their estates.

Discontentment grew due to the increased oversight and reduction of freedom. The presence of these foreign bailiffs became more and more despised. Over time the Swiss territories developed a plan to united and attempt to regain their autonomy.

Wilhelm Tell, as legend has it, lived in a small village in this part of Switzerland. Tell was know across central Europe for his superior marksmanship with his cross bow. At one point in the play (and in history, as legend says), Tell is forced by the foreign bailiff Gessler to shoot an apple from his son’s head in the town square in Altdorf in front of the entire community. Tell succeeds, and later in the story he is able to extract his revenge on Gessler, and in the process has a hand in freeing Switzerland from the yoke of the Austrian rule.

Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller was born November 10, 1759 in Marbach, Germany. Schiller’s father was a military officer. Although Schiller disliked the strict regimen of military life, his father forced him to attend military school. Depressed by the life forced upon him, Schiller deserted the army and worked in Mannheim in theatre under an assumed name. During this period, he penned such plays as Fiesko (1783), Intrigue and Love (1784) and Don Carlos (1787). Between 1787 and 1797, Schiller devoted himself to historical studies and wrote The Revolt

of the Netherlands and a History of the Thirty Years War, which won him fame as a historian. During this period he also became friends with noted German author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Under Goethe’s influence, Schiller soon returned his attentions to the craft of playwriting and subsequently composed his most mature dramas including Wallenstein’s Camp (1798), The Piccolomini (1799), Wallenstein’s Death (1799), Mary Stuart (1800), and The Maid of Orleans (1801). In 1799, he took up residence in Weimar, where he and Goethe collaborated to make the Weimar Theatre one of the most prestigious theatrical houses in Germany

Schiller finished, his last play, Wilhelm Tell, in 1804. Interestingly, Schiller had never been to Switzerland, but with Goethe’s influence, he was able to create one of his best literary works.

Schiller contracted tuberculosis in late 1804/early 1805. His health gradually deteriorated such that on May 9, 1805, at the age of 45, Friedrich Schiller passed away. His plays however, along with those of Goethe, had established a theatrical renaissance in Germany that would become known as “Weimar Classicism”. For more than a century after his death, Schiller remained a favorite playwright of the German people. He remains to this day one of the greatest lights in German literature.


Interview with Pete Etter1. Tell us a little bit about yourself ?

Born in Germany and came over with family at age 10 Educated in USA., BS,MS+, 10 years teaching and 32 years as Dist. Admin 21 yrs in New Glarus. I am now retired.

2. How long have you been performing in the German production of Tell?

Involved in Tell since 1979 (when I came) Played several parts in English and German play. Last played the evil tyrant Gessler in the German. Past Board of directors- Pres from 1985- 2010. Now, I still announce the play and help out where ever needed.

3. Why was is it important to you?

Important because it is the only place in the USA where a play is put on by locals in the original language it was written in. Schiller was a great German author and Wilhelm Tell is a classic. Or Germanic heritage has been alive and well because of this drama!

Pete Etter plays the evil tyrant Gessler in the German Performance of the Wilhelm Tell Play.

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Schedule of Events

Friday: 6:30pm-9:30pmOpening Cermonies: LanternzZug, Kinderchor Concert, and Memorial Celebration

Saturday: 10:30amParade, downtown New Glarus

2:30pmEnglish Play

6:30pmStyle Show

Events in the tent all weekend throughout the day.

7:45pmYodel Concert provided by New Glarus Mannerchor and New Glarus Yodel Club Fest Tent

Schweizer Gemuetlichkect following concert Fest Tent

5:00pmCamping opens

Schedule of Events

Sunday:9:00amArt in the Park

9:00amFriends of the Library Book Sale

9:15am-9:45amInterfaith worship serviceat the Ruetli-location Tell Grounds

11:30amEnglish Play

2:30pmGerman Play

7:00pmYodel Showcase, Fest Tent

8:30pmStreet Dance, Fest Tent

Check website for updateswww.wilhelmtell.org


Interview with Matt Streiff1. Tell us a little bit about yourself ?and2. How long have you been performing in the German production of Tell?Like many families that have lived in New Glarus for many years, Tell has been and continues to be a Labor Day tradition for our family. When I was young, I recall watching my grandpa Walter, and father Dean in their roles of Herr Reding, and Werni the Hunter. My mother, older sisters, and many cousins had various roles in the performances each year, so when the small role of Seppi, the herdsman’s son, became

available, I was eager to accept that part. Over the years, I have held many different parts, both in German and English, ranging from Ruodi (the Fisherman), Town Crier, Melchtal, and now share the role of Wilhelm Tell in the English performance.

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Interview with Matt StreiffWith my father and grandfather being in the original performances, it was an easy decision for me to honor them and the tradition they established by accepting positions of increasing responsibility over the years. My father is still in the performance, and has actually held his current role since the late 1940’s. He took a break from that role last year, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he returned to perform in this year’s 75th performance.

It is certainly satisfying to see my children embrace roles in the current performances. My older children will hold speaking roles in this year’s Finale presentation of the German performance, while my son will hold the same role in English.

In our family, Tell is what we do on Labor Day. So it is not an exaggeration to say that I (and we) have participated in some capacity in the performance since birth.

3. Why was is it important to you?I continue to be involved in the Tell play because it provides an opportunity for us to honor our family and community heritage. It is a way to form a bond with the people who have come before us, living and deceased, who have made this community and the Tell Play such a special event. I think it is quite remarkable that we have an organization of such committed and dedicated people who have been able to continue the tradition of this volunteer theatrical performance for so many years.

When I walk down the path to the Tell Grounds, whether it be for practice or on the day of a performance, I sometimes think of the people who walked those steps before, held different roles, or had very distinctive character portrayals. I think about playing there when I was a kid during my dad’s practices. I think about the special bonds I feel between these predecessors, even if I had never met them, plus I think about the friendships formed with the current cast. The Tell Play fosters and nurtures unique friendship bonds which likely would not exist, or would not exist to the same extent without the play.....and I think about how that strengthens our community as a whole.

• Located on the Sugar River Bike Trail connecting to the Badger State Trail• Shops, dining and attractions within walking distance.

• Pets Welcome • High Speed internet available• Continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

For information and reservations, call: (800) 798-4391 • www.swissaire.com


Wilhelm TellOpening Scene A Swiss Village

Act IScene I A village on the shore of Lake LucerneScene II The Home of Werner Stauffacher in SteinenScene III The Home of Walter Furst in UriScene IV Altdorf, Canton Uri–”The Stone Mason Scene”

Act IIScene I Castle of AttinghausScene II Rutli Meadow, near the

shore of Lake Lucerne

Intermission

Act IIIScene I Wilhelm Tell’s Home – BurgienScene II The Love Scene, Bertha and Rudenz – Alone at Last!Scene III The Apple Shoot – The village green in Altdorf

Act IVScene I Tell Escapes! – The

eastern shore of Lake Lucerne

Scene II Attinhausen Death Scene – Castle of the Baron von Attinghausen

Act VScene I Tell comes hom – His

home in Burgien

Finale Switzerland is Free!

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Newly located in Anderson Mall

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County Highway W

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1st St.

2nd St. Kubly Road

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801 Highway 69, New Glarus, WI 53574 (800) 944-1716 or (608) 527-5234

email: [email protected] www.chaletlandhaus.com

100-6th Ave, New Glarus WI 53574 (800) 727-9477 or (608) 527-5244 email: [email protected]

New Glarus Hotel Restauranthas long been a landmark known for it’s excellent Swiss atmosphere and cuisine!

Chalet Landhaus Inn

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& Restaurant

Congratulations to the Wilhelm Tell Pageant for 75 successful years!

Good luck to the German cast for their final performance in the original German

language (good luck Melchtal)!

Chalet of the Golden FleeceChalet of the Golden FleeceMagical and whimsical – priceless historic treasures –

artifacts from every corner of the world

Discover the passions of world traveler Edwin Barlowwho gifted his extensive collections - along with his Swiss Bernese chalet home to the village of New Glarus more than fifty years ago.

Open May - October: Friday through Monday 10 am - 4 pm FREE tours (donations are appreciated)

618 2nd St., New Glarus • 800.527.6838 • [email protected]

New Glarus TrolleyThe Trolley runs Friday-Monday 10am-5pm. Board the trolley in downtown New Glarus

Free rides to the New Glarus Brewing Company and around New Glarus.

Documents

New Glarus-Wilhem Tell