The Villa-Lobos Music Society Announces 'The Green Mansions Earth Day Celebration' - A Special Event in Its Year-Long Commemoration of the 125th Birthday Anniversary of Brazilian Composer Heitor Villa-Lobos

NEW YORK, April 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Villa-Lobos Music Society has announced that it will present a special event on April 23, 2012 entitled "The Green Mansions Earth Day Celebration" at The Americas Society, 680 Park Avenue, New York City, from 6:30-9:00PM. Admission is $10. Reservations can be made at http://as.americas-society.org/calevent.php?id=1340.

The Green Mansions Earth Day Celebration will highlight the Amazon rainforest that inspired the music of Villa-Lobos, including his work on the film score of the 1959 MGM movie adaptation of the classic novel "Green Mansions," written by naturalist William Henry Hudson and set in the Amazon rainforest.

Featured speakers at this special event will be: Dr. Amy Ronner - author and expert on the life and literary works of William Henry Hudson; Dr. Sy Montgomery of The Rainforest Conservation Fund - author and expert on rainforest habitats and conservation efforts; and Alexandra Jamieson, CHHC, AADP - author, vegan chef and holistic nutrition expert.

Also featured will be the live performance by Dr. Alfred Heller (Piano) of Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras Number 4, Second Movement, with the haunting call of a rainforest bird.

According to Dr. Heller, a friend and protege of Villa-Lobos, "This wonderful piece of music is but one gem from the many magical, nature-inspired compositions by Villa-Lobos -- in Villa-Lobos' words, 'music...as nature made it...learned from the birds and the beasts...the windstorms...the waters.'"

Aptly described by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in his January 22, 2012 Proclamation of "Heitor Villa-Lobos Day" in New York City, "Heitor Villa-Lobos was a visionary composer and thinker. He created...works that expressed his deep belief in the interdependence of humanity and the environment...music that bridges cultural divides and celebrates diversity -- exactly the kind of art we are most proud to celebrate."

To continue this legacy, The Villa-Lobos Music Society, Inc. has created "Green Mansions," a new story-based, full-length dance work with an all-Villa-Lobos score and a new adaptation of Hudson's classic novel. Directed and choreographed by Margo Sappington, selections from the new "Green Mansions" dance work are scheduled to be previewed on October 1, 2012.

For more information, visit http://www.greenmansionsproject.info, or contact Alfred Heller, President, The Villa-Lobos Music Society, Inc.: telephone 212-427-5103 or e-mail [email protected].

About The Villa-Lobos Music Society:

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

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SOURCE The Villa-Lobos Music Society, Inc.