The Rafis

Michaud Raffin (?-?) of Lyons in southern France was listed as 'felustier' or flutist in 1512 and 'faiseur de fleustes' (maker of flutes/recorders) in 1523. This places him among the first flute makers in recorded history (Jacques Pillon appears in the Lyons records in 1503). Michaud's son Claude (fl p 1515) apparently followed him in this profession, and built more of the renaissance flutes that survive than any other single identifiable maker.

The Rafis lived at a time and place in which the flute was the most popular instrument for amateur musicians to play together for recreation. Such highly literate and cultured people also played together in consorts in Paris and some German and Italian courts and cities.