Imported from Venice before reaching puberty, this chum of Louis XIV collaborated with Molière on court entertainments—before taking them over entirely. Skilled with powerful choruses, dizzying music for dances, and floor-shaking parts for basso continuo, he was the blockbuster artist of his day. Some of his finest operas, like Atys and Armide, still thrill contemporary audiences (the Baroque specialist William Christie and his ensemble have made headlines with recent productions of both). The French composer's output also includes ballets and sacred music.