Thomas Arne

18th-Century English Composer and Musician

Thomas Augustine Arne (1710–1778) was a prominent English composer during the Baroque and early Classical periods. He is best known for his patriotic song "Rule, Britannia!" which has become a fixture at British national events. Arne composed a significant amount of music for the stage, including operas, masques, and theatrical songs. His work "Alfred," from which "Rule, Britannia!" originates, is an example of his contributions to English opera. Additionally, Arne played a crucial role in the development of English-language opera and contributed to the concert life of his time with instrumental compositions. His setting of Shakespeare's songs, particularly those from "As You Like It," "Twelfth Night," and "The Merchant of Venice," further solidified his reputation as a leading composer of the era. While he did not produce albums in the modern sense, as he predated recorded music by over a century, his compositions have been featured in numerous collections and recordings by various artists and ensembles since then.