Elena Bibescu

Princess Elena Bibescu (Romanian pronunciation: [eˈlena biˈbesku]; 1855 – October 18, 1902) was a Romanian noblewoman and pianist, regarded as one of the greatest pianists of Europe in the nineteenth century. In France, she became well known as an outstanding pianist, and 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. Marcel Proust, Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner, Pierre Loti, Anatole France, Claude Debussy and Charles Gounod were some of the well known European personalities who frequented the salon.