William Shield

William Shield (March 5, 1748 – January 25, 1829) was an English composer, violinist and violist.

Related Topics:
March 5 - 1748 - January 25 - 1829 - English - Composer - Violin - Violist

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Shield was first taught music by his father, but after both he and his mother died while Shield was still a child, he was apprenticed to a ship-builder in South Shields, continuing to study with Charles Avison in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Related Topics:
Ship - South Shields - Charles Avison - Newcastle upon Tyne

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Shield became a noted violinist in Newcastle's subscription concerts before moving to Scarborough to lead a theatre orchestra. In 1772 he was appointed by Felice de Giardini to play violin in the opera at Covent Garden (now the Royal Opera House), and from 1773 he was principal violist there.

Related Topics:
Scarborough - Theatre - Orchestra - Felice de Giardini - Covent Garden - Royal Opera House - Violist

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Shield also worked as a composer for Covent Garden, and in that capacity he met Joseph Haydn. In 1817 he was appointed Master of the King's Musick.

Related Topics:
Joseph Haydn - Master of the King's Musick

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Shield's works include a large number of operas and other stage works, including one on Robin Hood, as well as instrumental music.

Related Topics:
Opera - Robin Hood

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There has been some suggestion that a melody in the overture to Shield's opera Rosina is the source of the tune to Robert Burns's "Auld Lang Syne", although this is contested, with the general belief being that both Shield and Burns took the tune from an old folk song.

Related Topics:
Melody - Overture - Robert Burns - Auld Lang Syne - Folk song

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