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You've heard Gioachino Rossini's music, even if you've never heard of him

2. Here come the cavalry

  • By Chris Gaylord

The "William Tell Overture" starts with a lovely morning scene, but it ends with the Lone Ranger.

This final segment of Gioachino Rossini's famous overture depicts the "March of the Swiss Soldiers," an exciting tune that evokes images of galloping horses. A century later, this cavalry charge became the theme song for the Lone Ranger.

Countless other shows have adopted this finale: The Simpsons, Mickey Mouse, The Monkees, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Mr. Ed, and The Ren & Stimpy Show.

Some weave it into the background. Some, such the Animaniacs clip below, wrote lyrics over it. (Rossini did not write the presidential opening, just the main song.)

The "William Tell Overture" may be the most common Rossini song, but it's not the only piece of his to worm its way into television.

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

Dear Reader,

About a year ago, I happened upon this statement about the Monitor in the Harvard Business Review – under the charming heading of “do things that don’t interest you”:

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