Biography

Mezzo-Soprano Milette Gillow recently graduated with distinction from the Preparatory Opera course at the Royal Academy of Music under tutelage of Alex Ashworth and Iain Ledingham, following a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Leeds.

Her operatic experience includes Lišák (Příhody lišky Bystroušky, HGO), Dido (Dido and Aeneas, HGO), Lola (Cavalleria Rusticana, West Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra), and Fairy/Mustardseed cover (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Royal Academy Opera), and she has performed extensively in scenes as Angelina (La Cenerentola, Royal Academy Opera Scenes), Rosina (Il barbiere di Siviglia, RAM Vocal Faculty Scenes), Lucretia (The Rape of Lucretia, RAM Vocal Faculty Scenes), and Octavian (Der Rosenkavalier, Uncovered Opera) among other roles.

An experienced oratorio soloist, Milette regularly performs in sacred works — recently at Guildford Cathedral (Guildford Choral Society), Emmanuel Reformed Church (Cambridge Philharmonic), and the Wigmore Hall (Royal Academy Bach Soloists). As a recitalist, she holds a particular fondness for 20th Century English Song: notable performances include Elgar’s Sea Pictures with The Bridge Sinfonia and a 45-minute English Song programme at the Wigmore Hall as part of their For Crying Out Loud! series.

Milette is also a keen conductor, having directed both the Chamber Choir and the unauditioned Symphonic Choir at the University of Leeds; she took second study choral conducting with Patrick Russill while at the Academy. Milette is a member of the Monteverdi Choir and was one of eight scholars in the National Youth Choir of Great Britain’s Fellowship Scheme 2019-2020.

She is the founder & director of Verismo Voices.