Claim: William Shield (the son of 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.
Evidence: William Shield (5 March 1748 – 25 January 1829) was an English composer, violinist and violist who was born in Swalwell near Gateshead, County Durham, the son of William Shield and his wife, Mary, née Cash. 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.