description Marc-Antoine Charpentier Overview
Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1643–1704) was a French Baroque composer who studied in Rome before working in Paris. He composed in a wide variety of genres, including opera, secular songs, and large-scale sacred works for chorus and orchestra. His most recognized piece is the "Te Deum" in D major, H. 146, the prelude of which is widely used as a musical signature, notably as the theme music for the European Broadcasting Union.
Charpentier's music is distinguished by its rich harmonic language, contrasting with the more conservative style of his contemporary Jean-Baptiste Lully.
help Marc-Antoine Charpentier FAQ
Where have I heard the opening of Charpentier's Te Deum?
The trumpet-led prelude is used as the theme of the Eurovision broadcasting network. That association has made a short passage from Charpentier's Te Deum in D major far more widely recognized than the complete sacred work.
What do the H numbers in Charpentier's works mean?
Numbers such as H.146 refer to Hugh Wiley Hitchcock's thematic catalogue of Charpentier's music. The familiar Te Deum in D major is catalogued as H.146.
Is Charpentier's Médée the same story used by other opera composers?
Yes. Médée retells the myth of Medea and Jason, with a French libretto by Thomas Corneille. Charpentier's version premiered in Paris in 1693 and is one of his major surviving stage works.
Did Marc-Antoine Charpentier work for Louis XIV at Versailles?
Charpentier was not primarily a Versailles court composer in the manner of Jean-Baptiste Lully. He worked for patrons including Marie de Lorraine, known as Mademoiselle de Guise, and later served as music master at the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.
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