Thomas Arne

Thomas Augustine Arne was an English composer and violinist who was born in Covent Garden, London, in 1710. He achieved professional recognition in 1733 with the successful premiere of his first opera Rosamund and is famous for the patriotic song “Rule, Britannia!” (1740). After studying law for three years at Eton, Arne pursued music under the guidance of Michael Christian Festing. His career included serving as a composer for Vauxhall Gardens starting in 1745 and leading the orchestra at the Drury Lane and Covent Garden theaters. His discography includes over 30 operas, such as Comus (1738) and Thomas and Sally (1760), alongside the influential opera seria Artaxerxes (1762). Arne also composed the song “A-Hunting We Will Go” (1777). He was married to the soprano Cecilia Young and later maintained a professional relationship with his pupil Charlotte Brent. Arne died in London in 1778.