Robert, the earliest composer of French comic operas, was born at Paris about 1628. He was organist of the church of St Honoré, and musical superintendent to Queen Anne of Austria, mother of Louis XIV. His earlier works, in which he was assisted by the Abbé Perrin, continued to be performed before the court at Versailles, till the death of his patron Cardinal Mazarin. Enraged at his subsequent neglect, and jealous of the favour shown to Lulli, who was musical superintendent to the king, he retired to London, where he was appointed inspector of music to Charles II. His operatic pieces were entitled Ariadne ou les Amours de Bacchus, Pomone, and Les Peines et les Plaisirs de l'Amour. Cambert died in London about 1677.