he was a master of the basse de viol. he wrote a lot of music for that instrument, he was the most important french composer for it. he wrote five books of "pièces de viole" (1686-1725). most of the pieces in the book are suites with basso continuo. these were quite popular in the court, and for these he was remembered in later years as he who "founded and firmly established the empire of the viol" (hubert le blanc, 1740). his other works include a book of "pièces en trio" (1692) and four operas (1693-1709). "alcyone" (1706) is well known for its storm scene. marais became the conductor of the paris opera in 1706, but after the failure of his 1709 opera, "sémélé" he gradually withdrew from public life. he married catherine d'amicourt, on 21 september 1676. they had 19 children together. two of the children, vincent marais and roland marais also became famous musicians, as well as his grandson, nicolas marais.