The Villa-Lobos Music Society Announces 'Villa-Lobos and Dance' - A Special Event in Its Year-Long Celebration of the 125th Birthday Anniversary of Heitor Villa-Lobos

NEW YORK, Jan. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Villa-Lobos Music Society has announced that on January 22, 2012, a special event entitled "Villa-Lobos and Dance" will be presented by The Villa-Lobos Music Society at The Hotel Plaza Athenee, New York City.

This special event will feature an exclusive look at the connection between Villa-Lobos' music and dance during his lifetime and beyond, and will include displays of memorabilia from, and films of, dance works commissioned, choreographed and danced to his music by artists from diverse dance disciplines such as Janet Collins, Carmen de Lavallade, Violette Verdy, Jose Limon, Natalya Stavro, Graciela Daniele, Mark Morris Dance Group, among many others.

Also featured at this special event will be the live performance by Dr. Alfred Heller (Piano) and Julia Sakharova (Violin) of the Villa-Lobos music that has been selected for the first pas de deux between Rima and Abel -- the main characters in "Green Mansions," the new full-length dance work created as part of the historic 125th birthday anniversary commemoration.

"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.

According to Dr. Alfred Heller, a friend and protege of Villa-Lobos, "From the time Villa-Lobos first saw the Ballets Russes when they toured Brazil in the mid-1900s to the end of his life, he wrote music for dance and music that moved the spirit to dance. Highlighting Villa-Lobos' connection to dance, and creating the new Green Mansions dance work with an all-Villa-Lobos score, is a truly fitting way to commemorate his life and continue his legacy."

For more information about the "Villa-Lobos and Dance" special event, the Green Mansions Gala and all of the 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 [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 Villa-Lobos protege and friend, Alfred Heller. Its mission is 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 of 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.