Final answer:
Guillaume Tell is an opera written by Gioachino Rossini, characterized by its grandeur and notable overture. It contrasts with the medieval music style of composers like Machaut, showing the evolution of musical genres and instrumentations over centuries.
Step-by-step explanation:
“Guillaume Tell” belongs to the genre of opera. Specifically, it is a grand opera in four acts composed by Gioachino Rossini with a French libretto by Victor-Joseph Étienne de Jouy and Léopold Bis, based on Friedrich Schiller's play “William Tell,” which drew on the William Tell legend.
This opera is famous for its overture, which is a staple in classical music repertoires and known for the 'call to the cows' featured in the prelude and the 'storm' section leading into the finale famously used in various media such as the theme for “The Lone Ranger”.
When we consider medieval music, we recognise that it has a distinctive feel, often characterized by the use of instruments that are no longer commonly used. An example of medieval music that one may listen to is “Puis qu'en oubli” by Machaut, contrasting the sound and instrumentation of Rossini's later work in the romantic period of classical music with the earlier medieval sounds.
This illustrates the evolution of musical style and instrumentation from the middle ages to the 19th century when “Guillaume Tell” was composed.