GIBBONS, Orlando
b Oxford, 1583
d Canterbury, 5 June 1625, aged forty-two

He entered the choir of King's College, Cambridge, where his brother Edward was Master of the Choristers, in 1596, and matriculated in 1598. From 1602 to 1603 he earned his living by composing music for special occasions, and in 1605, aged 21, he was appointed organist of the Chapel Royal, a post he held for the rest of his life. He was awarded a degree in music at Cambridge in 1606, and a doctorate at Oxford in 1622. He enjoyed considerable Royal patronage, and in 1623 became organist at Westminster Abbey. He died of an apoplectic fit.

1612 (29)

p Madrigals and Motets of Five Parts: Apt for Viols and Voyces

Gibbons' other works include about forty anthems and other church music, music for viols, keyboard pieces, and expressive madrigals, such as 'The Silver Swan'.