Oboe is an instrument of the French origin and obtained its professional status at the court of Louis XIV, to be widely applied by Lully in ballet and opera performances. The most distinguished chamber ensemble Douze Grands hautbois was founded during the reign of this king. Royal oboists were to play by great court ceremonials at Versailles, by military parades and church festivities. Oboes of various types have been used, and their special music-making practices enable for us to reconstruct a vivid picture of centuries past. This paper considers the history of the instrument at the French royal court in the XVI–XVIII centuries. It is based on contemporary documents as well as on current organological and historical studies. The publication aims to inform a Russian-speaking reader about some neglected or forgotten facts and circumstances.
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