Elena Bibescu

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Elena Bibescu
Principesa Elena Bibescu.jpg
Princess Elena Bibescu in a Romanian national costume
Born
Elena Epureanu

1855
Died18 October 1902 (aged 46–47)
Iași, Romania
NationalityRomanian
OccupationPianist
Letter from Hélène to

Princess Elena Bibescu (1855 – October 18, 1902) was a Romanian noblewoman and pianist, regarded as one of the greatest pianists of Europe in the nineteenth century.[1][2]

Elena Bibescu debuted on February 14, 1873 in Bucharest, in a charity concert held at Grand Theatre of Bucharest, in the presence of King Carol I and Queen Elisabeth of Romania.

In France, she became famous for being an outstanding pianist, but also for being a protector of culture. Princess Bibescu held, for three decades, one of the most prestigious salons of Paris in the second half of the 19th century.[3] Marcel Proust, Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner, Pierre Loti, Anatole France, Claude Debussy and Charles Gounod were just a few of the great European personalities who frequented the famous artistic salon.[4][5][6]

Elena Bibescu was a protectress of George Enescu, alongside Queen Elisabeth of Romania, and promoted the Romanian musician among the French elite.[7] In 1954, more than 5 decades after her death, Enescu dedicated to her memory the symphonic poem, Vox Maris.[8]

She was a student of the pivotal figure of Russian culture, pianist and composer Anton Rubinstein at the Vienna Conservatory, one of the most prestigious institutions of its kind in the world.[9] Elena Bibescu brilliantly graduated from the Vienna Conservatory, where she was awarded a medal and a diploma of honor.[10][11]

After returning to Romania in October 1902 and residing in the family's manor in Epureni, a few kilometers away from Barlad, Elena was transported to Iasi after falling ill from cancer. She died shortly afterward on 18 October 1902. [12]

References[]

  1. ^ C.D. Zeletin: Principesa Elena Bibescu, muziciană de geniu 24.02.2008 (archive from 14 April 2014 (accessed 26 March 2017).
  2. ^ ""Vicemama" lui George Enescu".
  3. ^ "Radio Romania Muzical".
  4. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-09-08. Retrieved 2014-04-14.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ ""Vicemama" lui George Enescu".
  6. ^ "Radio Romania Muzical".
  7. ^ http://www.historia.ro/exclusiv_web/actualitate/articol/casa-parinteasca-mamei-lui-george-enescu-fost-clasata-monument-isto
  8. ^ "Historia" Special. An II, nr. 4, semptembrie 2013, pag. 24 – "George Enescu, fața nevăzută a unui geniu" (English: "George Enescu, the unseen face of a genius"). ISSN 1582-7968
  9. ^ "Radio Romania Muzical".
  10. ^ "Personalităţi feminine din România (IV)/ De George Marcu, Rodica Ilinca".
  11. ^ "Elena Bibescu - Enciclopedia României - prima enciclopedie online despre România".
  12. ^ "Povestea principesei Elena Bibescu, marea pianistă care l-a lansat pe George Enescu la Paris. Compozitorul i-a dedicat o bună parte din opera sa".
Retrieved from ""