Arne, Thomas (1710-1778), was the most important English composer of his time. His many operas and plays with music were important in the development of ballad opera. Arne is best known today for the patriotic song “Rule, Britannia,” from his musical play Alfred (1740). Arne and Isaac Bickerstaff, an Irish playwright, collaborated to produce the popular ballad opera Love in a Village (1762). Arne wrote musical settings of several songs from William Shakespeare’s plays, such as “Where the Bee Sucks” from The Tempest. Although Arne’s music for the stage is his most important work, Arne composed sacred music, odes and cantatas, vocal music, and instrumental overtures and concertos. He was also a violinist and keyboard player. Thomas Augustine Arne was born on March 12, 1710, in London. He died on March 5, 1778.
