Carolus Luython (French: Charles Luython; 1557 – 2 August 1620) was a late Renaissance composer of the "fifth generation" of the Franco-Flemish school.[1]
Luython was born in Antwerp and was recruited as a child to serve in the choir of Maximilian II in Vienna. After Maximillian's death in 1576, Luython became a court organist and in 1603 the court composer of his successor, Rudolf II, first in Vienna and then in Prague, while his fellow Fleming Philippe de Monte was kapellmeister from 1568 to 1603, together with the Germans Hans Leo Hassler and Jakob Hassler. After Rudolf II died in 1612, Luython was among many court officials dismissed without pension by Rudolf's successor Matthias. Luython was forced to sell his possessions, including his harpsichord, and died in poverty in Prague.