Role

:

Composer Conductor

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

January 25, 1759 in Ayrshire, Scotland

Death

:

July 21, 1796 in Dumfries, Scotland

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and lyricist who is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of all time. He was born on January 25, 1759, in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland, to William Burness and Agnes Broun. Burns was the eldest of seven children, and his father was a tenant farmer who struggled to make ends meet. Despite his family's financial struggles, Burns received a good education and showed an early interest in music. He learned to play the violin and the flute, and he began composing his own songs at a young age. Burns was also an avid reader, and he was particularly interested in the works of Shakespeare and the Scottish poet Robert Fergusson. In 1786, Burns published his first collection of poems, titled "Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect." The collection was an immediate success, and it established Burns as a major literary figure in Scotland. Many of the poems in the collection were set to music, and Burns himself composed many of the tunes. Burns continued to write poetry and compose music throughout his life, and he became known for his ability to capture the essence of Scottish culture and tradition in his work. He wrote about love, nature, politics, and social issues, and his poetry and music continue to be celebrated today. One of Burns' most famous works is the song "Auld Lang Syne," which is traditionally sung at New Year's Eve celebrations around the world. The song is a tribute to old friends and times gone by, and it has become a symbol of Scottish culture and tradition. Another famous work by Burns is the song "Scots Wha Hae," which was written in 1793 and is considered to be one of the most patriotic songs in Scottish history. The song was written in support of the Scottish independence movement, and it has become a rallying cry for Scottish nationalists. In addition to his poetry and music, Burns was also a collector of Scottish folk songs and ballads. He traveled throughout Scotland, collecting and recording traditional songs and tunes, and he published several collections of these songs during his lifetime. Despite his success as a poet and musician, Burns struggled with personal and financial problems throughout his life. He had numerous affairs and fathered several children out of wedlock, and he struggled to support his family on his meager income as a farmer and writer. Burns died on July 21, 1796, at the age of 37, from a heart condition brought on by years of heavy drinking and poor health. He was buried with full honors in the churchyard of St. Michael's Church in Dumfries, Scotland, and his legacy as one of Scotland's greatest poets and musicians continues to be celebrated to this day.

More....