The 2012 celebration of the 125th Birthday Anniversary of Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos is marked with a proclamation by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of "Heitor Villa-Lobos Day" in New York City

NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Villa-Lobos Music Society has announced that Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg issued a proclamation designating "Heitor Villa-Lobos Day" in New York City in commemoration of the year-long celebration of the composer's 125th birthday anniversary in 2012. This proclamation was delivered at a special event entitled "Villa-Lobos and Dance," presented by The Villa-Lobos Music Society at The Hotel Plaza Athenee, New York City.

The proclamation recognized the new Green Mansions dance work created for this historic commemoration as "exactly the kind of art we are most proud to celebrate," and declared "together, we are keeping this amazing artist's legacy alive" with a work that expresses Villa-Lobos' "deep belief in the interdependence of humanity and the environment..." and "bridges cultural divides and celebrates diversity..."

"Green Mansions" combines the instrumental and vocal music of Villa-Lobos with an adaptation for dance of naturalist William Henry Hudson's classic novel Green Mansions, set in the Amazon rainforest. Directed and choreographed by Margo Sappington, it is scheduled to be previewed at The Green Mansions Gala, planned for October 1, 2012.

The Proclamation also recognized that "The Villa-Lobos Music Society has put together wonderful events to pay tribute to this honorary New Yorker..." Included in these events is a 125th Birthday Anniversary Concert on March 5, 2012 at Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center in New York City.

According to Dr. Alfred Heller, "this program is a testament and tribute to the compositional virtuosity and versatility of Villa-Lobos, a master composer whose facility was unmatched -- writing in any form, for any instrumentation, for any genre, with the power and inspiration of genius."

Performing artists are: Alfred Heller (Piano), Richard Miller (Guitar), Naya Rodriguez-Castinado (Soprano), Peter Prosser (Cello) and Mollie Nichols (Chorus Conductor).

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased through the Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center box office in person, by calling 212-501-3330, or at http://www.kaufman-center.org/merkin-concert-hall.

For more information about the 125th Birthday Anniversary Concert, the Green Mansions Gala and other Anniversary Events, visit http://www.greenmansionsproject.info, or contact Alfred Heller, President, The Villa-Lobos Music Society, Inc., at 212-427-5103 or e-mail at info@greenmansionsproject.info.

About The Villa-Lobos Music Society:

The Villa-Lobos Music Society, Inc., a 501(c)(3) arts organization, was formed in 1986 by Villa-Lobos protege and friend, Alfred Heller. Its mission is to sustain and increase awareness of the music of Heitor Villa-Lobos, his passion for music education, and his belief that music is the universal language capable of bringing together all peoples, and inspiring love and respect for the natural world.

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE The Villa-Lobos Music Society, Inc.

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http://www.greenmansionsproject.info