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Thomas Augustine Arne (; 12 March 1710, London – 5 March 1778, London) was an English composer, best known for the patriotic song ''Rule, Britannia!''. He also wrote a version of ''God Save the King'', which became the British national anthem, and the song ''A-Hunting We Will Go''. Arne was the leading British theatre composer of the 18th century, working at Drury Lane and Covent Garden. ==Early life== Arne was born to a Catholic family in London,〔Catholic Enyclopedia, Vol 1 p 746.〕 and baptised in that faith.〔http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7146/is_201001/ai_n49419334/〕 His father and grandfather were both upholsterers and both became officials of the City Company of Upholsterers. His grandfather fell upon hard times and died in the debtors' prison of Marshalsea. Arne's father earned enough money not only to rent 31 King Street, a large house in Covent Garden, but also to have Arne educated at Eton College. In later life, he too lost most of his wealth and had to supplement his income by acting as a numberer of the boxes at Drury Lane Theatre. Arne was so keen on music that he smuggled a spinet into his room and, damping the sounds with his handkerchief, would secretly practise during the night while the rest of the family slept. He also dressed up as a liveryman in order to gain access to the gallery of the Italian Opera. It was at the opera that Arne first met the musician and composer Michael Festing, who was a major influence on him. Festing not only taught him to play the violin, but also took him to various musical events, including going to hear Thomas Roseingrave compete for the post of organist at Hanover Square, and a visit to Oxford in 1733 to hear George Frideric Handel's oratorio ''Athalia''. Upon leaving school, Arne was articled to a solicitor for three years. However, Arne's father discovered his son leading a group of musicians at what was probably one of Festing's musical gatherings. Following this disclosure of his son's real interest and talent, he was persuaded (again probably by Festing) to allow the young Arne to give up his legal career and to pursue music as a living. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Thomas Arne」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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