‘I do not have the right to ignore the works of my time, literary as well as musical’
This was the overriding maxim which defined the life and career of French mezzo soprano, Jane Bathori (1877 – 1970). She was one of the first singers in modern history to dedicate her life and talents to promoting the music of her contemporaries: notably Debussy, Ravel and Satie. Despite a brilliant career which spanned over four decades in which she premiered over 100 French mélodies by over 40 composers, she considered the high point of her career to be the rare opportunity to direct the Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier in Paris during the Great War. Her artistic initiatives in these challenging years were a godsend to many composers, such as André Caplet and Reynaldo Hahn who served at the front and whose music would not have been heard without her support. During these years she also championed and showcased the music of ‘Les Six’. Under her direction, the theatre buzzed with music of all genres from mediaeval to contemporary as well as many inter-art collaborations. ‘Art Sung- Jane Bathori’ brings to life a slice of forgotten history through music, narrative and artwork, and pays tribute to Jane’s vivid sense of determination to contribute musically to the war effort.