CHARPENTIER, MARCANTOINE

(1645–1650, Paris – 24 February 1704, Paris)

   Student of Giacomo Carissimi and composer of 11 masses, 56 antiphons, 10 Magnificat settings, 55 responsories, 83 psalm settings, 170 motets, 35 oratorios, and other assorted sacred works. He provided sacred music for the Duchess of Guise until 1688, for various Jesuit churches of Paris, and for the prestigious Sainte-Chapelle, where he was appointed music director on 28 June 1698 and remained until his death. Charpentier’s Baroque style has an astonishing variety of orchestrations within each genre, an often brilliant mixture of Italian and French traits, including impressive movements for chorus.

   See also Lalande, Michel-Richard.