Rebel (pronounced "re-BEL"), a son of the singer Jean Rebel, a tenor in Louis XIV's private chapel, was a child violin prodigy. He became, at the age of eight, one of his father's most famous musical offspring. Later, he was a student of the great composer Jean-Baptiste Lully. He was a violinist, harpsichordist, conductor and composer.
His son François Rebel (1701-1775) also was a composer, noted violinist, and member of the 'Vingt-quatre violons du roy.' He co-wrote and co-directed operas with François Francœur.