It is assumed that Melchior d' Ardespin was born in France and nothing is known of his musical studies. On October 9, 1669 he was employed as a cornetist in the Bavarian electoral court in Munich with an annual salary of 250 florins, increasing in October 27th, to 400 florins. By a decree of September 2, 1693 received the title of Kammerdiener and thereafter received 600 florins a year.