Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers

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Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers (ca 1632 – 13 November 1714) was a French organist, composer and theorist. His first livre d'orgue is the earliest surviving collection with traditional French organ school forms. Nivers's other music is less known; however, his treatises on Gregorian chant and basso continuo are still considered important sources on 17th century liturgical music and performance practice. Life Church of Saint Sulpice in Paris, where Nivers worked from 1650s until his death. This watercolor by François-Étienne Villeret was painted in the first half of the 19th century. Nivers was born into a prosperous family: his father was farmer to the bishop. Nothing is known of his early years or his musical training except that he may have received a degree from the University of Paris. In the early 1650s Nivers became organist of Saint-Sulpice, a post he would retain until 1702. In 1668 the composer married; he had one son. Nivers's subsequent career was quite illustrious. On 19 June 1678 he was chosen as one of the four organists of Chapelle Royale—an ensemble of musicians who performed sacred music for the king. The other three organists were Nicolas Lebègue, Jacques Thomelin and Jean Buterne. Nivers only resigned late in life, in 1708, and was succeeded by Louis Marchand. This prestigious post was followed by another in 1681, when the composer succeeded Henri Du Mont as master of music to the queen. Finally, in 1686 Nivers became in charge of the music at Maison Royale de S

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