Charpentier, Marc-Antoine

(1634-1704)

French composer. Charpentier was born in Paris and at first wanted to be a painter. He set off to study in Italy, but there met the composer Carissimi who so inspired him that he decided to devote himself to music.

He remained in Rome for some years to pursue his studies in composition. On his return to Paris in the early 1670s, he worked with Molière and Corneille on several theatre productions. There was much rivalry and disagreement between Charpentier and Jean Baptiste Lully, who dominated music at court, especially in the realm of theatrical and operatic composition. In retrospect, Lully's work can be judged as more original and dynamic, although Charpentier's compositions have much charm and originality.

 From 1679, Charpentier composed music for the Dauphin's private masses. In the 1680s he was composer and musical director to the Princesse de Guise. At the age of 64, he was made director of music at the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. Charpentier wrote operas, masses and songs and was admired for the elegant structure of his compositions, influenced by his early training in Italy.

Today the work most often heard is a joyful Te Deum, with festive trumpets.