CHARPENTIER, Marc-Antoine
b Paris, ?1645-50
d Paris, 24 February 1704

He studied with Carissimi in Rome from 1662 to 1667, when he took up his first employment with the Duchesse de Guise. After Moliere's collaboration with Lully ended in 1672 Charpentier worked with Moliere in his theatre, composing music for plays and ballets. By 1680 he was employed by the Grand Dauphin as musical director, and in 1680 he became composer to the principal Jesuit church in Paris. In 1698 he was made maitre de musique of the Sainte-Chapelle, holding that position until his death.

Marc-Antoine Charpentier wrote: eleven masses; eighty-four psalms and much other church music; thirty-five oratorios; eight cantatas; fifteen pastorals and operas; many sacred and secular instrumental works