GYO and the Auld Lang Syne controversy

In recent years The Gateshead Youth Orchestra gave a full performance of ‘Rosina’.  This opera by the Gateshead born composer William Shield (a student of Charles Avison) was last performed in the late eighteenth century.  The overture includes the melody to ‘Auld Lang Syne’, and caused a healthy debate about the true composer of this celebrated tune.  The orchestra was subsequently featured on BBC TV and there were interviews and articles in all the major newspapers and radio programmes, including one Australian radio network…

An mp3 file of the ‘Auld Lang Syne’ portion of the overture to ‘Rosina’ may be herd by clicking here. exc, Rosina Overture (1782) performed by GYO

Articles concerning this debate may be found at:

 BBC News

The Sunday Sun

Incidentally the Gateshead Youth Orchestra logo features this portion of the overture to ‘Rosina’