William Tell: The Enduring Legacy of a Hero Myth

William Tell: The Enduring Legacy of a Hero Myth A preview evening with Boston Lyric Opera Tuesday, September 22, 2026 6:00-7:30 PM French Library Members: $22 | Non-Members: $28 Before Boston Lyric Opera brings Rossini’s epic masterpiece to the stage, discover the remarkable story behind one of history’s most enduring heroes. Why did a medieval Swiss legend become one of Europe’s most powerful symbols of freedom? How do hero myths continue to shape nations, cultures, and political ideals? Join Esther Nelson, former General and Artistic Director of Boston Lyric Opera, for an engaging exploration of William Tell, placing the legendary Swiss archer within the broader tradition of heroic legends that have inspired societies across centuries. From the medieval origins of the Tell legend to Friedrich Schiller’s celebrated drama and Rossini’s monumental opera, discover how each generation has reimagined Tell to reflect its own hopes, fears, and political aspirations. History and legend will then give way to music, with live performances by Boston Lyric Opera artists offering a special introduction to Rossini’s soaring score, just days before the company’s production opens in Boston. Morgan Beckford, Director of Community & Learning at Boston Lyric Opera, will moderate the conversation with Esther and invite questions from the audience. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A with the audience, and a reception with light refreshments. LEARN MORE RSVP Esther Nelson is an opera and arts leader with more than four decades of experience in the music and museum worlds. As General and Artistic Director of Boston Lyric Opera from 2008 to 2021, she transformed the company into one of the nation’s leading producers of both classic and contemporary opera, pioneering innovative site-specific productions that brought opera into communities across Greater Boston. Previously, she led The Glimmerglass Festival and Nevada Opera and held senior artistic and executive positions with opera companies throughout the United States. A Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, she was born and educated in Europe before settling in the United States. Nelson is also a lifelong student of medieval history and brings a distinctive European perspective to opera and its cultural history. Morgan Beckford is Director of Community & Learning at Boston Lyric Opera. A soprano, arts administrator, and teaching artist originally from Memphis, Tennessee, she brings a multidisciplinary background in opera, musical theater, jazz, and arts education to her work. As a performer, Morgan has appeared with Boston’s New Gallery Concert Series, the Cape Cod Chorale, and the Choral Art Society of the South. She has also presented lecture-recitals exploring the history of spirituals and African American sacred music, and her stage credits include roles in Susannah, The Magic Flute, In the Heights, and Queenie Pie.