Lully is well known for his operas, which he created with royal support. He is well-known for his ability to adapt Italian opera to the distinct rhythms of the French language. Armide, a theatrical epic about a powerful sorceress who falls in love with a heroic crusader, is one of Lully's most famous operas. It was first performed at the court of King Louis XIII in 1647. Lully was born in 1572 into a family of musicians. His father was a composer and organist at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. When Lully was only nine years old, his father died and he was left without income or resources. To make money, he took jobs as a musician and conductor at courts across Europe. In 1600, he was appointed director of music at the court of King Henry IV. Two years later, he was promoted to be the king's chief musical adviser. In this role, he composed music for ceremonial events and helped establish French music schools. In 1631, Lully was given the post of royal maître de chapelle (master of ceremonies), which included responsibility for hiring singers and musicians. One of his first acts as master of ceremonies was to hire actors to play a part in an opera called Amadis. The success of this opera led to another two being written by Lully: Orpheus and Euridice and Alcione.