What is John Wilbye?
'''John Wilbye''' (pronounce: “WIL-bee”), (born [[Diss]], [[Norfolk]], [[baptised]] 7 March 1574; died [[Colchester]], between September and November 1638), was an [[England|English]] [[composer]] who was famous for his [[madrigal]]s. Wilbye was the son of a tanner. He was supported financially by a rich family called Kytson. The Kytsons were very musical and had lots of [[musical instrument]]s and [[sheet music]] in their house. It is thought that he went with Elizabeth Cornwallis to Hengrave Hall near [[Bury St. Edmunds]] in around 1594 when she married Sir Thomas Kytson the Younger. When Elizabeth died, Wilbye moved to [[Colchester]] where he lived with Elizabeth’s youngest daughter with whom he had a long friendship. When Wilbye died he was quite rich. == His music == A book of madrigals by him appeared in 1598 and a second in 1608. It is often called the finest book of English madrigals. There were a total of 64 madrigals in these two books. Wilbye was influenced by Morley’s madrigals, and also learned directly from the madrigals of Italian composers such as [[Alfonso Ferrabosco]]. He wrote many madrigals which have become extremely popular, including ''Weep, weep o mine eyes'' and ''Draw on, sweet night''. He was very good at making his music match the meaning of the words. He often used a mixture of major and minor [[Mode (music)|modes]]. == References == * [http://www.grovesonline.com/ groves music online] {{DEFAULTSORT:Wilbye, John}} [[Category:1574 births]] [[Category:1638 deaths]] [[Category:English composers]] [[Category:Renaissance composers]] [[Category:People from Norfolk]]