Promising Young Artist Soprano Milica Ilic
Congratulations to Brisbane based Soprano Milica Ilic.
Milica gave a prize winning performance recently to win the 2009 MBS National Young Performers’ Award.
It was not surprising for those who have followed the career of this promising young artist in the last few years as she adds to her growing list of prizes.
She sang three operatic arias, Ch’i bel sogno (Puccini La Rondine) , Bel raggio lusinghier (Rossini Semiramide) and Dis-moi que je suis (Massenet Thaïs) to win a $10,000 Travelling Scholarship donated by the Elizabethan Theatre Trust.
I first met Milica in 2005 aged just 21 when a colleague Greg Thompson and I were producing FREE lunchtime concerts in the foyers of Australian legendary architect Harry Seidler’s Riverside and Riparian Plaza buildings at Brisbane.
We were showcasing the piano and the superb acoustics of each foyer by having brilliant pianist Christian Gante accompany some truly superb voices on the wonderful Steinway Grand Piano distributed by Theme and Variations
I will never forget the sight of Milica stepping ever so daintily and elegantly out of a taxi for her gig wearing a dress of beautiful black lace, a tiny slip of a girl. Her size and stature completely belied the beautiful big voice that emerged when it was finally released into the foyer reducing the rapidly gathering audience to tears with her innate sensitivity of the repertoire she was performing.
Singing in Style
Sent to me by renowned Head of Opera of the Queensland Conservatorium, Greg Massingham, who is very astute in all matters, Milica projected a grasp of professionalism way beyond her years and won everyone’s admiration and respect.
The result was an outstanding success for all concerned.
The thousands of people who worked in the buildings loved those lunchtime concerts, which were held over a two week period.
Over the years since we have firmed a wonderful bond of friendship and I have enjoyed watching her progress, have admired her determination and willingness to work very hard to achieve her aim of being the best she can.
I was pleased to have the opportunity as producer to invite her to be guest artist at the Festive Music that Resonates Concert for Brisbane City Council in St John’s Cathedral Brisbane on November 27.
She produced a superb result and her solo Rejoice Greatly from the Messiah had the audience shouting for more.
She also demonstrated her complete willingness to face all challenges by learning, in less than a week, the mezzo part to perform the beautiful Flower Duet from Lakme with seasoned coloratura Liza Beamish.
They both brought the house down.
Serbian born, Milica Ilic, migrated to New Zealand in 1996 where she began singing lessons with Professor David Griffiths. As a member of the Young Friends of Opera New Zealand, she performed as a soloist and in the chorus.
Whilst appearing on the television series Dreams Come True, Milica met Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and subsequently attended a weekend workshop hosted by the renowned soprano. Milica also studied German at the Goethe-Institut in Berlin (2005) and voice with Leandra Overmann (Professor of Singing at the Academy of Music in Würzburg in Germany).
She won the 2008 Australian National Eisteddfod, the Dame Joan Sutherland Vocal Competition (at the youngest recorded age of 19), the Elwyn Barber Memorial Encouragement Trophy, as well as a two time winner of both the Margaret Nixon Vocal Competition and the South East Queensland Aria and Concerto Competition (2006 and 2008). She was also a three-time semi-finalist at the Australian Singing Competition (2002, 2003 and 2005).
Her performances include the roles of Papagena in Die Zauberflöte, Cupid in Semele and Nannetta in Falstaff (for QCGU). This year, she performed the role of Emma in the youth opera Dirty Apple and performed in the chorus of La traviata (for Opera Queensland).
She also recently traveled to Macao to perform at their world renowned Music Festival in the Marriage of Figaro. We were not surprised to learn she was invited back next year as she grows both her experience and expertise.
A Developing Artist in 2009 at Opera Queensland Milica will become Young Artist in 2010. She deserves all of our encouragement and support so she can have a much deserved brilliant career.
Carolyn McDowall, December 2009
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