Michel Lambert 1610 – 1696

Biography

Michel Lambert was born on January 1, 1610, in Champigny-sur-Veude, France, during a period of remarkable cultural flourishing. He would devote his long life to music, establishing himself as a skilled singing master, theorbist, and composer whose contributions shaped the musical landscape of seventeenth-century France. His expertise across multiple disciplines—from vocal instruction to instrumental performance and composition—reflected the versatility expected of accomplished musicians during the Baroque era.

Throughout his career, Lambert gained recognition for his work as both a teacher and practitioner of the arts. His mastery of the theorbo, a large plucked string instrument essential to Baroque ensembles, combined with his abilities as a composer and voice instructor, made him a valued figure in French musical circles. He spent much of his professional life in Paris, where he became embedded in the cultural institutions of the royal city.

Lambert’s remarkable longevity allowed him to witness nearly a century of artistic change and development. He died in Paris on June 29, 1696, at the advanced age of eighty-six. He was laid to rest at Notre-Dame-des-Victoires in the Quartier Vivienne, a fitting resting place for a man who had dedicated his life to the musical heritage of France.