The Babel Flute

Louis-François-Philippe Drouet (April 14, 1792) was a 19th-century French flautist and composer. Born of a French father expatriated in the Netherlands and barber by profession, Louis Drouet began learning to play the flute as a self-taught man before entering the Conservatoire de Paris at the age of seven. At 16, he was first flutist and teacher of Louis Bonaparte, Napoléon's brother, and King of Holland. After touring trips to England, the United States and Europe, in 1840 he became director of music by the Duke of Saxe-Cobourg-Gotha.