Francesco Milioto

A rising star in the younger generation of conductors, Francesco Milioto is forging a unique career as a versatile interpreter of both the operatic and orchestral repertoire. He is currently Music Director of OPERA San Antonio and Artistic Advisor to the Florentine Opera in Milwaukee. Mr. Milioto also enjoys guest conducting relationships with a wide variety of organizations, and cover/assistant conductor positions with several distinguished opera companies. Praised for his energy and integrity on the podium, the Chicago Tribune has said, “Milioto presided with Bernsteinesque bravura".

This season will see his much anticipated return to Opera San Antonio to conduct both Tosca and Rigoletto. His seventh season as a cover/assistant conductor at Lyric Opera of Chicago includes productions of Luisa Miller, Madama Butterfly, and Die Walküre in the complete RING Cycle. Mr. Milioto also looks forward to making his debut conducting Korngold’s Der Ring des Polykrates with Numi Opera in Los Angeles.

Last season Mr. Milioto made his Lyric Opera of Chicago debut conducting a performance of Massenet’s Cendrillon, in addition to working on a production of La traviata. He then returned to The Dallas Opera to work on a successful production of Falstaff, and also conducted a family performance of Pepito by Offenbach. Mr. Milioto ended his season with the Santa Fe Opera as cover conductor for their production of Jenufa.

As a music director and guest conductor Mr. Milioto has thrived in Chicago and beyond. Over his fifteen years in Chicago he claimed the title of Music Director to the New Millennium Orchestra, the Skokie Valley Symphony, 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 collaborated 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-found 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 the most 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 Opera Santa Barbara, Opera Southwest, Elgin Opera, and Opera on the James.

As a cover/assistant conductor, Mr. Milioto has flourished under world-class mentorship. He is currently in his sixth season at Lyric Opera of Chicago where he has been fortunate enough to work closely with Sir Andrew Davis, and other luminaries, on several operas and concerts. He is also a member of the music staff at The Santa Fe Opera and has worked at both the Canadian Opera Company and The Dallas Opera. For 10 seasons Mr. Milioto worked with the Ravinia Festival as an assistant conductor, pianist, vocal coach and prompter being involved in over a dozen operas, and many concerts with such artists as Daniel Barenboim and James Conlon.