Ibert, Jacques, << ee BEHR, zhahk >> (1890-1962), was a French composer. He wrote many works for the stage, including comic operas and ballets. Ibert also wrote music for plays and motion pictures as well as orchestral works and chamber music. His style combines the sometimes contradictory French schools of Impressionism and Neoclassicism.
Ibert’s most famous composition is the orchestral suite Escales (Ports of Call, 1924). His Flute Concerto (1934) has also been highly praised, and his chamber works for woodwinds are widely performed. Another important work is his ballet Le Chevalier errant (written in 1935, first performed in 1950). Ibert’s most popular opera is Angelique (1927).
Jacques Francois Antoine Ibert was born on Aug. 15, 1890, in Paris. He was director of the French Academy in Rome from the late 1930’s to about 1960, and of the combined Paris Opera and Opera-Comique from 1955 to about 1957. He died on Feb. 5, 1962.
