“Francesco Milioto presides with verve and bite!”“Conductor Francesco Milioto elicited orchestral playing for both operas that was polished, sympathetic and wholly idiomatic.”
Francesco Milioto continues to establish himself in opera houses as an incredibly gifted "singer’s" conductor. His interpretation of each score is fueled by a philosophy of collaboration in service of the overall experience for artists, creators, and audience.
Maestro Milioto currently serves as Music Director of OPERA San Antonio, The Florentine Opera, and Holy City Arts and Lyric Opera. Highlights of Mr. Milioto's most recent acclaimed performances, outside of his home companies, include at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Atlanta Opera, Arizona Opera and Tulsa Opera. He is a member of the music staff at the world-renowned Lyric Opera of Chicago and The Santa Fe Opera.
Mr. Milioto began the season leading a successful production of Romeo and Juliet at The Florentine Opera, before heading to San Antonio to conduct their performances of Pagliacci. He then made his debut with Ballet San Antonio conducting several performances of The Nutcracker in collaboration with the Classical Music Institute Orchestra. The new year began with a recital in Charleston for HALO, followed quickly by a last-minute substitution with Tulsa Opera for their gala performance of Verdi's Aida. Mr. Milioto will end the season with a return to San Antonio to lead OSA’s production of Romeo and Juliet.
This season also included his work on productions of Ernani and Hansel and Gretel at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Maestro Milioto is an avid coach and much sought after master teacher. In addition to his work with young artists at OPERA San Antonio and The Florentine Opera he recently gave masterclasses for the Detroit Opera Studio and Mexico Opera Studio in Monterrey, Mexico.
As a Music director and guest conductor Mr. Milioto has thrived in Chicago and beyond. Over his many years in Chicago, he claimed the title of Music Director to the New Millennium Orchestra, the Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Highland Park Strings, Access Contemporary Music and the Chicago Cultural Center Summer Opera. As a guest conductor he has amassed several critically acclaimed productions with Chicago Opera theater and has collaborted with many professional local orchestras. His work with the New Millennium Orchestra and Chicago Opera theater were each named to the Chicago Sun-Times list of the “10 best performances of the year.” Mr. Milioto is particularly proud of his work with the New Millennium Orchestra of Chicago, which he co-founded in 2005. The NMO had an incredible range of repertoire, playing everything from classical music and opera, to collaborations with jazz and hip-hop artists. His highly acclaimed work over ten seasons with both the Highland Park Strings and Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra ranged from early music to contemporary works and often featured world-renowned soloists. As Artistic Director/Conductor of Access Contemporary Music, Mr. Milioto led the brilliantly vibrant ensemble Palomar which has been featured on the radio and in performances throughout the city and abroad. He has also conducted successful productions with The Atlanta Opera, Arizona Opera, Tulsa Opera, Opera Santa Barbara, Opera Southwest, Elgin Opera, and Opera on the James.
As a Cover Conductor Mr. Milioto has flourished under world-class mentorship. He is currently preparing for his tenth season with the Lyric Opera of Chicago where he has had the pleasure to work on incredible productions and concerts. He is also currently a member of the music staff at The Santa Fe Opera, and has worked with both the Canadian Opera Company and The Dallas Opera. For over 10 years Mr. Milioto work at the Ravinia Festival as an assistant conductor, prompter, pianist, and vocal coach being involved in over a dozen operas and countless concerts with such artists as James Conlon and Daniel Barenboim.
