Robert Cambert

At this time he came under the patronage of Cardinal Mazarin who was instrumental in his appointment as Superintendent of music to the Dowager Queen Anne of Austria, mother of Louis XIV.

Cambert's early works with libretto written by Pierre Perrin were frequently performed at court during this period.

Cambert was invited to join Perrin in the administration of the project which is considered today to be one of the founding influences of grand opera.

Cambert, furious at the insult, and at the lack of interest in his work shown by the French monarchy, left France in 1673 to pursue his career in England.

Gérard Corbiau's 2000 film Le Roi danse (The King is dancing) portrays a much older-looking Cambert (Johan Leysen) as the archrival of Lully and a symbol of Mazarin's old court Catholic establishment.