A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Este, Michael

by William H. Husk

ESTE, EAST, or EASTE (as he variously spelled his name), Michael, Mus. Bac., is conjectured to have been a son of Thomas Este, the noted music printer. He first appeared in print as a composer, in 'The Triumphes of Oriana,' 1601, to which he contributed the madrigal, 'Hence, stars, too dim of light.' In 1604 he published a set of Madrigals, which was followed in 1606 by a second set, the preface to which is dated 'From Ely House in Holborne,' whence it may be inferred that he was then a retainer of Lady Hatton, the widow of Sir Christopher Hatton. In 1610 he published a third set of Madrigals. Between that date and 1618, when he published a set of Madrigals, Anthems &c., and a set of three-part songs, he had obtained his bachelor's degree and become Master of the Choristers of Lichfield Cathedral. In 1624 he published a set of Anthems, from the dedication of which to 'John Williams, Bishop of Lincoln and Keeper of the Great Seal,' we learn that that prelate some time before, on hearing one of Este's motets, had voluntarily settled an annuity on its composer, personally a stranger to him. Este's last publication was a set of Duos and Fancies for Viols, which appeared in 1638, and was many years afterwards re-issued by John Playford with a new undated title-page. One of the 3-part madrigals in Este's second set, 'How merrily we live,' retained its popularity down to our days.

[ W. H. H. ]