FACTOID #53: If you thought Antarctica was inhospitable, think again - its land area is only ninety-eight percent ice. Reassuringly, the other 2% is categorised as "barren rock".
The young Arne was so keen on music that he smuggled a spinet into his room and, dampening the sounds with his handkerchief, would secretly practise during the night while the rest of the family slept.
Arne was to suffer from one disadvantage; as a Roman Catholic he was debarred from many of the professional musical appointments open to others such as a Cathedral Organist or Master of the King's Band of Musick.
In 1736 Arne married Cecilia Young, the daughter of the organist of All Hallows Church, Barking.
Thomas Augustine Arne (March, 1710-March 5, 1778) was an English composer, best known for the popular patriotic song, Rule Britannia, which is still frequently sung, notably at the Last Night of the Proms; and also his musical settings of songs from the plays of William Shakespeare.
Arne was born in the Covent Garden area of London, to a family that had prospered in the upholstery business.
Arne's operas and masques became very popular, and he received the patronage of Frederick, Prince of Wales, at whose country home, Cliveden, the Masque of Alfred, containing "Rule, Britannia", was first performed.
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