Editing Jacques Ibert (section)

===Composer and administrator===
[[File:Ibert_Jacques_Photo1938.jpg|right|thumb|Ibert in the 1930s]]
Among Ibert's early orchestral compositions were ''La Ballade de la geôle de Reading'', inspired by [[Oscar Wilde]]'s [[The Ballad of Reading Gaol|poem]], and ''[[Escales (Ibert)|Escales]]'' (''Ports of Call''), inspired by his experiences of Mediterranean ports.<ref name=baker>Kuhn, Laura (ed.) [http://bakr.alexanderstreet.com/View/670790/ Ibert, Jacques (François Antoine)], Student Encyclopedia of Music, vol. 2, Schirmer Reference New York, published 1999, accessed 18 September 2010 {{subscription required}}</ref> The first of these works was played at the Concerts Colonne in October 1922, conducted by [[Gabriel Pierné]]; the second was performed in January 1924 with [[Paul Paray]] conducting the [[Orchestre Lamoureux]]. The two works made Ibert an early reputation both at home and abroad. His publisher [[Éditions Alphonse Leduc|Alphonse Leduc]] commissioned two collections of piano music from him, ''Histoires'' and ''Les Rencontres'', which enhanced his popularity.<ref name=grove/> In 1927 his opéra-bouffe ''Angélique'' was produced; it was the most successful of his operas, a musical farce, displaying eclectic style and flair.<ref name=opera/>

In addition to composing, Ibert was active as a conductor and in musical administration. He was a member of professional committees, and in 1937 he was appointed director of the [[French Academy in Rome|Académie de France]] at the [[Villa Medici]] in Rome. Ibert, with the enthusiastic support of his wife "threw himself wholeheartedly into his administrative role and proved an excellent ambassador of French culture in Italy."<ref name=grove/> He held the post until the end of 1960, except for an enforced break while France and Italy were at war during World War II.