A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Millico, Giuseppe

MILLICO, Giuseppe, a good composer and better singer, was born in 1739 at Terlizzi (Poviglio), Modena. Gluck, who heard him in Italy, thought him one of the greatest soprani of his day, and, when Millico visited Vienna in 1772, and was attached to the Court Theatre, Gluck showed his estimation of him by choosing him as singing-master for his own niece. In the spring of that year, Millico had already come to London, where however he found the public but little disposed in his favour. Though a judicious artist and a most worthy man, he was not an Adonis, and his voice had received its greatest beauties from art (Burney); 'Of a singularly dark complexion, ill-made, and uncommonly plain in features' (Lord Mount-Edgcumbe). By the end of the season, Millico had reversed the first unfavourable impression, and his benefit was a bumper. He had then appeared in 'Artaserse' and 'Sofonisba,' and he took part in 'Il Cid' and 'Tamerlano' in the following year. In 1774 he appeared here in 'Perseo,' after which he went to Berlin. In 1780 he was in Italy again, attached to the Neapolitan Court, where he is said to have profited by his own influence to oppress other artists. Fétis gives a list of his compositions, including 3 operas, 3 cantatas, a collection of canzonette, published in London (1777), and other pieces.

[ J. M. ]