Wilbye, John (1574-1638), was an English composer of madrigals (see Madrigal ). Wilbye published two books of madrigals in 1598 and 1609. Among the best known of his madrigals are “Adieu, sweet Amaryllis,” “Sweet honey-sucking bees,” and “Happy streams whose trembling fall.” Wilbye also wrote choral music for church services.
Wilbye was born in Diss, Norfolk, the son of a prosperous tanner. He spent much of his life as a musician in the service of a family named Kytson near Bury St. Edmunds. He became a wealthy landowner in 1613 and apparently composed nothing after 1614.
