A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Corbet, Francisque

by Mary Catherine Hamilton

CORBET, Francisque, whose real name was Francesco Corbetti, born at Pavia about 1630, died in Paris about 1700; the best player of his time on the guitar. After travelling in Italy, Spain, and Germany, he settled for a time at the court of the Duke of Mantua, who sent him to Louis XIV. He stayed for a few years in the French court, and then came to England, where Charles II appointed him to an office in the Queen's household, with a large salary, and provided him with a wife. The Revolution of 1688 drove him back to France. His best pupils were De Vabray, De Visé, and Médard, who wrote a curious epitaph on him.

[ M. C. C. ]