Jacques Ibert’s Suite Élisabéthaine, composed in 1942 as incidental music for Le Songe d’une nuit d’été (Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream), was published in 1945 and is structured in nine short movements—Prélude; Chasse; Entrée; Chanson des Fées; Dancerie; Cortège; Scherzo; Nocturne; and Finale. The suite balances vocal declamation with transparent orchestral color. The chorus and soprano often alternate between chant-like passages and more animated numbers, while the instruments provide both rhythmic drive (in the Chasse and Scherzo) and melodic ornament (in the Nocturne and Finale).

The complete performance lasts about 22 minutes, allowing each miniature to unfold with distinct character yet contribute to an overall pastoral-baroque atmosphere. Ibert’s harmonic language blends modal inflections with light modern touches, and his deft orchestration ensures that the female voices remain clear against the ensemble, making Suite Élisabéthaine a concise showcase of his versatility in vocal-orchestral writing.