Noël II 'Joseph est bien marié'

Claude Balbastre (1724-1799) was a French composer, organist and harpsichordist. He was one of the most famous musicians of his time. Claude Balbastre was born in Dijon in 1724. Balbastre settled in Paris in 1750 and studied there with Pierre Février, whom he succeeded as organist of the Saint Roch church. Rameau helped and protected Balbastre when he settled in the city, so he was quickly introduced to the Parisian musical circles and high society, and made a brilliant career: he played at the Concert Spirituel, became organist of the Notre-Dame cathedral and of the Chapelle Royale, became harpsichordist to the French royal court where he taught queen Marie-Antoinette. And he became organist for Louis-Stanislas-Xavier, Count of Provence, who later became King Louis XVIII. Balbastre's fame was so great that the Archbishop of Paris, Christophe de Beaumont had to forbid him to play at Saint Roch during some of the services, because the churches were always crowded when Balbastre played.

In 1763, he married Marie-Geneviève Hotteterre, daughter of Jacques Martin Hotteterre and descendant of the famous family of Norman musicians. During the French Revolution, Balbastre's connection with nobility and the royal court might have endangered his life, but he adapted to the new political situation, playing the Revolutionary hymns and songs on his organ. He did lose his official posts and, temporarily, his pension. He died in Paris in 1799.
(source: Wikipedia)