Reflecting the proliferation of information on the history of the oboe that has arisen in recent years, this book is the first in-depth survey of the instrument during its Golden Age. From the mid-seventeenth century to the mid-eighteenth, the oboe underwent dramatic changes with regard to its function and physical form, and during this period not only was the majority of the instrument's solo and chamber repertoire composed, but - to judge from the salaries and titles of some of its players - the hautboy became the most highly valued instrument in use. The author describes in detail the hautboy, its players, makers and composers, how and where it was played, and who listened to it.