Feature: APRILE MILLO revisits ADRIANA LECOUVREUR at Theatro Municipal, Rio De Janeiro

Io son l'umile ancella del Genio creator! (I am the humble servant of the creative spirit!)

Ei m'offre la favella, io la diffondo ai cor.(It offers me speech, I pour it out into your hearts . . .)

And legendary soprano Aprile Millo will once again "pour it out, into your hearts" as she returns to one of her greatest roles; "Adriana Lecouvreur" this fall, on October 11th at the beautiful Theatro Municipal in Rio de Janairo. Millo performed the role to great acclaim with Eve Queller and the New York Opera Orchestra in 2002 and refuses to gather any moss at this stage of her storied career. The role is longtime favorite for all divas but still, it has barely scratched the standard repertory of most of the major opera houses.

According to Mme. Millo: "I will sing Adriana Lecouvreur in Rio at its stunning Theatro Municipal in October of this year with enormous pleasure. This glorious theater and I have a great history beginning in 1986 with a really fantastic Aida production, which later was transported to the Metropolitan Opera. This was also when I tried the Eb at the end of the Triumphal scene, for the first time, which I must say pleased the public to no end. And in the newspapers, they referred to it as if I had scored the winning goal in the World Cup!"

Millo has a particularly special relationship with audiences in Brazil. "I returned for a series of fantastic concerts with Fernando Bicudo, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia and Sau Paolo. Including a performance of "Andrea Chenier" with Corneliu Murgu, and Eugene Kohn conducting. I love Fernando and his beautiful and humble love for his country and the theater and the Arts. We are warriors for the Arts in today's world of strange times. I cannot wait to sing for him in the historic greatness of The Theatro Municipal and for the beloved public of Brazil. More good news to follow stay tuned. I give all I am and have to opera. It has always been everything to me. Long live this amazing art form. Pleased to be of service. Io son l'umile ancella."

But before her South American sojourn, Millo will spend a very busy summer in Europe, performing and giving master classes. In June, the soprano returns to the medieval Citta della Pieve, where last year she inaugurated a brand new cultural organization named Theatron with a sold-out recital. There will be masterclasses for 6 days followed by a gala final concert on July 1, showcasing the young talent.

Immediately following the festival in Citta della Pieve, Millo travels to the majestic city of Busseto for the 4th season of her enormously popular Operavision Academy, presented by the Renata Tebaldi Fondazione Museo and The Casa Barezzi.

From July 9th through July 31st, Millo and her co-founder, soprano, Maria Vetere return with legendary Maestro Richard Bonynge, one of the world's great champions of the Bel Canto, to offer unique personal training with an elite group of professionals that will guide and inspire artistic development, coupled with a refining of personal message and vocal freedom, in a safe and encouraging environment designed to prepare singers for a life in service to music. Singers will take what they learn and immediately use it onstage in front of an audience - helping the performer see themselves immediately in a different light. All academy participants receive,

- One-on-one guidance and training from sopranos Aprile Millo, and Dr. Vetere in technical, stylistic, and dramatic aspects

- Musical Preparation focused on technical aspects, stylistic precision, historical accuracy, and authentic diction with world-class maestri and pianists. Delving deeply to find the best ways to bring a singers individual message to the music while keeping a close watch on the intentions implicit in the composer's wishes, and enhancing a genuine personality to help make that combination the most persuasive to the audience.

- Drama, dance, character study, and body movement sessions with one of our esteemed drama, dance and body movement masters.

- Historical lectures with Dr. Vetere based on primary and secondary research that contribute to the materials being explored in preparation as an artist and for performance.

- The opportunity to learn from special guests in weekly round-table discussions with some of the greatest minds in music today about all matters concerning opera and the "business" of opera in today's world.

The Operavision Academy will accept auditions from international singers and pianists at a professional or semi-professional level. Some singers will also be accepted as apprentices and general opera aficionados are welcome to audit the program. There are no age limitations at the academy and all singers who wish to participate, have the opportunity to work these legends.

The program has been a total sell-out in each of its previous seasons, so singers wishing to participate should make their reservations as soon as possible.

After the Operavision Academy Festival concludes, Millo will travel to England for the London Bel Canto Festival. Millo will offer Master Classes for the first time this year at the LBCF Academy. And students will also have an unprecedented opportunity to perform in a Young Artist's Concert with Millo and tenor Bruce Ford at Cadogan Hall on Saturday, 18th, August 2018.

Millo will conclude the festival with a solo recital on Tuesday, August 21st at Cadogan Hall. Tickets will be available from June 2018 at www.cadoganhall.com. The recital will be a musical celebration in honour of beloved Russian Baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Simonetta Puccini, and proceeds from the recital will be donated in the name of Dmitri Hvorostovsky to the 'Cancer Research Trust UK' and voluntary donations will be taken for the 'Fondazione Simonetta Puccini for the Villa Puccini at Torre del Lago'.

YIkes! Summer 2018 will certainly be a busy time for the NYC based opera legend and it's wonderful to see that Mme. Millo is still singing and singing at such a high level at this stage of her career. One can only hope that New York audiences will get the chance to hear her sometime in the not too distant future -- without having to travel to Europe or South America! -- Peter Danish, Classical Editor

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