GIBBONS, ORLANDO, an eminent English musician, was b. at Cambridge, in 1583_ At the age of 21, he became organist of the chapel royal; and in 1622, on the recom mendation of the learned Camden, lie received from Oxford university the degree of doctor in music. He was the best church composer, and, according to Anthony Wood, "one of the rarest musicians of his time." His madrigals have always been popular. Of these, three, Dainty Sweet Bird, 0 that the Learned Poets, and The Silver Swan, are considered far superior to most compositions of the kind. He composed the music for the marriage ceremonial of Charles I., in 1625; but while attending it officially, he caught the small-pox, and died at Whitsunday thereafter. A monument to his memory, erected by his wife over his burial-place in Canterbury cathedral, is still shown. His: anthems, Ilosannah to the Son of Darid ! Almighty and Everlasting Gal! and 0 clap your Hands together! are reckoned by Wood " master-pieces of the most ingenious and. scientific writing in fugue that musical skill ever brought forth." His two brothers,.
Edward, organist of Bristol, and Ellis, organist of Salisbury, were likewise good: musicians. organist sworn in a gentleman of the chapel royal, in 1604, was master to the famous composer Matthew Lock. During the civil wars he lent Charles I. £1000, for which he was afterwards deprived of a considerable estate, and, with his three grandchildren, thrust out of his house at a very advanced age. In the Triumphs of Oriana are two madrigals by Ellis Gibbons. Gibbons's son, Dr. Christopher Gibbons, at the restoration, was appointed principal organist to the king and to Westminster Abbey, and by a recommendatory letter from Charles II. was created doctor in music by the university of Oxford. Celebrated for his organ playing, he is said to have been the instructor on that instrument of Dr. John Blow, the well-known composer of the pieces published under the title of Amphion Anglicus, who died in 1708.