Elisabeth Zapolska (1954 - 2020) – opera singer and philologist, born in Warsaw into a Polish-Russian family and established in France, was for many years involved in the promotion of polish culture and women authors. While studying French literature and applied linguistics at Warsaw University, she entered the Frederic Chopin National Music Conservatory and obtained the first prize for opera singing. Her Parisian debut took place in 1987 at Radio France and was followed by engagements in numerous productions across Europe. Her constant search for new repertories, her wish for the most varied vocal and scenic expression led her to create shows herself and to propose concerts which included works of less known composers. She was one of the founding members of the Association of polish Musicians based in France. She was presiding over the Maria Szymanowska Society that was founded in Paris in 2009 on her own initiative and was also managing the international project Maria Szymanowska (1789-1831), a Woman of Europe.
Ballades & Romances (Acte Préalable, 2012) as well as Romance à Joséphine – Women’s Songs in Maria Szymanowska’s time (Salto Records International, Kassel, 2019), are part and parcel of this project: they contain some songs that had never been produced or recorded before, in particular the songs and melodies written at the time by the composer Maria Szymanowska