Orlando Gibbons (b. 1583, Oxford; d. 1625, Canterbury)

Orlando Gibbons was a leading English composer of keyboard and vocal music and was well connected with the Royal Court. His fame as a composer was secure after he contributed works to Parthenia, the first collection of music for virginals, which also included works by William Byrd and John Bull.

After Byrd retired, Gibbons became the most prominent keyboard player and composer at the Court and was also senior organist at the Chapel Royal. He was widely known as one of the best keyboardists of his time. According to several sources, the French ambassador referred to Gibbons as “the finest finger of his age” after hearing him perform on the organ.

Gibbons was one of the first English composers to be schooled entirely in the Protestant age. His English anthems are among the greatest in the repertoire, and his music is still widely admired and frequently performed.