Marie-Anne Couperin was a 17th-century French organist and harpsichordist and a member of the musically prominent Couperin family, which included generations of famous composers and organists.[1][2][3]
Born 11 November 1677 in Paris, Marie-Anne was baptized at the church of Saint-Louis-en-l'Isle in Dordogne, France on 14 November.[4][5] Although there are conflicting reports of her parentage (due to the similarity of names reused in the extended family), one credible source[4] says her parents were Francois Couperin (the "first") and his second wife, Louise Bongard. She was goddaughter and cousin of François Couperin (1668-1733) (called "François the second" or "Couperin the Great") and he served as the royal harpsichordist of Louis XIV.[2][3]