Gibbons, Orlando (1583–1625)

English composer. He wrote sacred anthems, instrumental fantasias, and madrigals including The Silver Swan for five voices (1612). From a family of musicians, he became organist at Westminster Abbey, London, in 1623.

He was brought up in Cambridge, where he took a degree in music in 1606. He was a singer at the Chapel Royal from 1603 and organist there from about 1615 until his death. Oxford awarded him an honorary PhD in 1622, and the following year he was appointed organist at Westminster Abbey. He died suddenly in Canterbury while waiting to officiate at Charles I's marriage service, for which he had written music.

Works Church music Anglican church music (5 services, about 13 full anthems, and about 25 verse anthems).

Vocal 20 madrigals; Cries of London for voices and strings.

Strings 30 fantasies for strings, 4 In Nomine for strings, 2 pavans and 2 galliards for strings.

Keyboard 16 keyboard fantasies, 6 sets of variations for keyboard, and other keyboard pieces.