CHARPENTIER, MARC-ANTOINE

born 1634, Paris, France died Feb. 24, 1704, Paris most important French composer of his generation and the outstanding French composer of oratorios. Charpentier studied painting in Italy and then studied composition under Giacomo Carissimi. On his return to France he became chapelmaster to the dauphin but lost that position through Jean-Baptiste Lully's influence. He composed the music for a new version of Molire's The Forced Marriage (first performed 1672) and collaborated with him again in The Imaginary Invalid (1673). After Molire's death Charpentier continued to work for the Thtre Franais until 1685. He produced his greatest stage work, Mde, to Thomas Corneille's text, in 1693. From 1680 to 1688 he was music director to the Princess de Guise, and from 1679 he composed music for the dauphin's chapel (Lully died in 1687). In 1692 he became composition teacher to the Duke d'Orleans and in 1698 was made music master at the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. In his sacred tragedies written for the Jesuit community in Paris, Charpentier established the oratorio in France. In such oratorios as the Filius prodigus (Prodigal Son), Sacrificium Abrami, and his masterpiece, Le Reniement de saint Pierre (The Denial of St. Peter), he successfully integrates the Italian style of Carissimi with his native French style. His work is marked by its lyricism, skilled polyphony, and sensitive use of harmonic resources. In addition to his oratorios and stage works (16 operas, many pastorals), Charpentier composed 12 masses; elaborate motets with chorus, solos, and orchestra for the dauphin's chapel; a Te Deum; a Magnificat; and other works.