Matei Millo

Born in Stolniceni-Prăjescu, Iași County, his grandfather was the poet Matei Milu; his parents were Vasile Millo and Zamfira (née Prăjescu).

While living in Paris from 1840 to 1845, he studied theatre, took private lessons, followed the great actors of the day (Frédérick Lemaître, François Jules Edmond Got, Hugues Bouffé, Pierre-Alfred Ravel) and probably played minor roles with French troupes.

He was much loved by the public for his repertoire, in which the comedies of Vasile Alecsandri featured most prominently, and for his playing style, comically realist, with touches of gravity.

He wrote a number of translations, local adaptations and original plays, helping fill gaps in the scanty Romanian theatrical repertoire of the time.

His published volumes include Un poet romantic (1850), Baba Hârca (1851), Masca pe obraz sau Hai să râdem (1862) and Apele de la Văcărești (1872).