(Paris, fl. 1696-1716) Boxwood original in
Glasgow. As the embouchure has been altered, we use information
from other originals in St Moritz and Paris. a=405.
The Instrument
Rippert was described by one of his German customers
in 1716 as a surly old grouch, but he was also named 15 years
earlier as one of the most able makers in Paris. Several of
his flutes survive, all of them in three sections, and all
made to the same acoustical design. Their tone is exceptionally
strong and powerful, even for early French flutes.
The Music
Rippert's bassoons were used by French players
at the Italian opera in London in 1711, so there is no need
to restrict the use of his flutes to French music alone. The
Rippert flute works well for French and German music in the
Italianate or galant style. That includes Couperin,
Telemann, Handel, and Bach.
