Ibert, Jacques François Antoine (1890–1962)

French composer. Although writing in a variety of genres and styles, his music is generally considered light, due in large part to his seven often witty operas. However, his music reflects its subject matter: in his symphonic poem La Ballade de la geôle de Reading (1922) he captures the horror of Oscar Wilde's poem, while in his Flute Concerto (1934) he involves the full technical range of the solo instrument.

He studied at the Paris Conservatory and won the Prix de Rome in 1919. He became director of the French Academy in Rome in 1937 and returned there after World War II. From 1955 to 1957 he was director of the Opéra-Comique in Paris.

Works Stage and film seven operas, two ballets, and contribution to L'Eventail de Jeanne; incidental music to Labiche's Le Chapeau de paille d'Italie and other plays; film music including Don Quichotte.

Orchestral suites Escales (1992) and Paris, Symphonie Concertante for oboe and strings (1949), Divertissement for chamber orchestra (1930); concertos for piano, for saxophone, and for cello and wind.