- Milko Foucault-Larche
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File:L milko copy.jpgrightMilko Foucault - Larche
Milko Foucault – Larche (born Milko Foucault – Larche (pronounced 'fooko-lar-shay') on [June 1, 1960] is a Mauritius Australian vocalist entertainer. He is best known in Australia for his tribute to Charles Aznavour, "Aznavour... From Today" and most likely the only Aznavour tribute of its kind in Australia.
He made his stage debut in 1978 working with a French Theatre Company touring Mauritius. During his first theatrical season, Milko played a small part in the world premiere of Mauritian Operetta Surcouf, performed at the Port Louis Municipal Theatre with French tenor Jose Todaro in the title role. Other operettas during that season include The Gipsy Princess, The Count of Luxemburg, The Merry Widow and La Route Fleurie. In that same year, Milko made his debut on Mauritian Television singing the French song J’attendrai, which was made famous by Edith Piaf.
During the ensuing years, Milko then a student of Mauritian tenor Max Moutia, regularly appeared in clubs and hotels around the island. In 1979, Milko co–produced with Bernard Desvaux de Marigny a stage show on the music of Surcouf, that was later produced for the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation – MBC, The Mauritian National Television.
In 1981, Milko produced and directed his first big production, IL etait une fois L’Operette at the Port Louis Municipal Theatre. The show consisted of a 28 piece orchestra, a chorus of 30, 6 dancers and 6 lead singers including Milko. The show proved very successful with the Mauritian audience with 2 additional performances being added to the initial run.
In 1984, Milko was again employed by another Theatre Company touring Mauritius under the direction of French conductor Andre Martial; a former conductor at Le Chatelet in Paris. In the lead to this 1984 season, Milko was the representative for the French investors to the Mauritian authorities, co-ordinating the organisation of the season. Milko performed in the following operettas: La Belle de Cadix, The Merry Widow, Quatre Jours a Paris & Le Chanteur de Mexico. In that same year, Milko sang one of the leads in the French show PATHEPHONIE directed by Gerard Manuel. The show was produced to commemorate the 100 years of the Alliance Francaise in Mauritius. Earlier in the year, Milko sang the tenor role in Mozart’s Requiem under the direction of Mauritian Conductor Gerard Lahausse de la Louvière.
Upon arriving in Australia, Milko studied with New Zealand Bass Grant Dickson and 2 years later made his debut as Luiz in Parramatta Theatre Company production of The Gondoliers. Other roles with various theatre companies around Sydney include Nathaniel & Franz in The Tales of Hoffmann, Camille de Rosillon in The Merry Widow.
In the mid nineties, Milko returned to popular music and started working in the club scene within Sydney’s metropolitan region, scoring two Mo Awards nominations in 1996 & 1997.
Milko released his first album entitled To Dream in early 1998, produced by Miles Harris.
Milko toured for a few years with the stage show European Connection before producing his own show Hats off To Broadway which quickly became popular within the club circuit. Hats Off To Broadway also starred Rikelle Turner, Sheridan Gaudry and the Hats off show girls under the musical direction of John Watson.
In 2002, he starred in a new production Moulin Bergere, a show that brought Milko back to French popular music and in spring 2003, Milko produced and starred in the first Aznavour show in Australia. Aznavour…From Today, directed by Rikelle Turner is still working in Australia today.
In 2006, Milko made his international debut in the States performing a cabaret version of Aznavour…From Today at The Manor, the dream venue of all Cabaret performers accompanied by New York based Musical Director Tex Arnold. Also in 2006, Milko released the first Aznavour album by an Australian entertainer, [1] produced by guitar sensation and producer Clive Lendich. Clive is the only Australian musician of the American group The Manhattan Transfer.
Following his International debut and the release of his new album, Milko has emerged in the last few years as one of the leading ambassadors of French popular music in Australia. He has also brought to the stage in 2007 his production, Under Paris Skies, and his one man show, Strictly Continental.
In 2008, he returned to the Cabaret scene with his show, Pardon My French and performed at the Rugby World Cup in Canberra performing the French National Anthem before the match between France and Scotland.
In 2009, he won the 2009 BEST INTERNATIONAL THEME PERFORMER in Australia with his show AZNAVOUR...FROM TODAY.[2]
References
Categories:- Living people
- Australian male singers
- Australian musical theatre actors
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