A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Cambert, Robert

CAMBERT, Robert—sometimes called Lambert [App. p.575 omits]—the originator of French opera, born at Paris 1628; was a pupil of Chambonnière's, organist of the church of S. Honoré, and (1666) Intendant of Music to Anne of Austria. The 'Euridice' of Peri and Caccini, performed at Florence in 1600, had set the musical world in a blaze, and the Abbé Perrin, after hearing that work, proposed to Cambert to compose a similar piece entitled 'La Pastorale.' This was performed for the first time, amid extraordinary applause, at the Chateau d'Issy [App. p.575 adds the date April, 1659], and was the first French opera. 'La Pastorale' was followed by 'Ariane,' 'Adonis,' and other pieces, and in 1669 Perrin obtained a patent securing the right to perform opera. For 32 years Cambert was associated with Perrin in the enterprise, and the result was the production of the operas of 'Pomone' (1671 [App. p.575 adds March 19]) and 'Les peines et les plaisirs de l'amour.' By Lully's intrigues Perrin lost the Académie, and Cambert took refuge in England, where he became first bandmaster to a regiment, and then master of the music to Charles II. He died here in 1677. Portions of 'Pomone' were printed, and the MS. of 'Les peines' is in the Bibliotheque Nationale. Lully's jealousy implies that Cambert was a formidable rival.

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