Gibbons, Orlando

Gibbons, Orlando, 1583–1625, English organist and composer. He became organist of the Chapel Royal about 1603, court virginalist in 1619, and organist at Westminster Abbey in 1623. His compositions include English anthems and services, consort and keyboard music, and madrigals. His brothers, Edward Gibbons (1568–c.1650), who was his teacher, and Ellis Gibbons (1573–1603), were also composers. Only a few pieces of their works survive. His son Christopher Gibbons (1615–76) was organist of Westminster Abbey and left some anthems and string compositions.

See E. H. Fellowes, Orlando Gibbons and His Family (2d ed. 1952).

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