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