ASU Symphony Orchestra in concert featuring Jeff Anderle, and in collaboration with Music Theatre and Opera in Strauss's "Prologue to Ariadne auf Naxos"
ASU Gammage
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
7:30pm
Embedded Files
PROGRAM
ASU Symphony Orchestra & Music Theatre, and Opera
Prelude to Ariadne auf Naxos, Richard Strauss
INTERMISSION
Overture No. 2, Op. 24, Louise Farrenc
October, Michael Torke
Jeff Anderle, bass clarinet
El Sombrero de Tres Picos, Suite No. 2, Manuel de Falla
I. Danza de los vecinos
II. Danza del molinero
III. Danza Final
The harmonium used in this evening’s performance is an instrument made in 1860 by an anonymous builder on loan from the personal collection of Dr. Dian Baker, alumnae of the ASU Collaborative Piano Program and Eckart Sellheim, Emeritus Professor of Collaborative Piano.
Prelude to Ariadne auf Naxos (1916)
Richard Strauss
The story behind Ariadne auf Naxos begins with an unusual predicament: a wealthy host has arranged an evening of entertainment featuring both a serious opera and a comedy. When time runs short, he insists that the two be performed simultaneously, much to the horror of the young composer, who fears his carefully crafted work will be overshadowed by the comedians.
Strauss’s Prelude introduces the world behind this chaotic evening, with music that shifts between playful, energetic passages and sweeping, heartfelt melodies. The contrasting moods hint at the tension between the composer’s artistic ambitions and the demands of putting on a show. Full of character and rich orchestral color, the Prelude offers a glimpse into Strauss’s ability to balance humor with genuine musical expression.
Overture No. 2, Op. 24 (1834)
Louise Farrenc
Written in 1834 by French composer Louise Farrenc, Overture No. 2 is a lively piece full of sweeping melodies, dramatic contrasts, and vibrant musical exchanges, almost Mozartian in nature. Throughout the overture, the orchestra moves between bold, powerful moments and lighter, more lyrical passages, with the woodwinds, strings, and brass each adding their own character.
Farrenc builds the music toward an exciting finish, leaving the listener with a sense of momentum and celebration. Her overture is a wonderful reminder that there is still plenty of remarkable music waiting to be discovered beyond the familiar names of the classical repertoire.
October (2017, 2026)
Michael Torke
Originally composed in 2026, this version of Torke's October was reorchestrated for this performance by the ASU Symphony Orchestra. October captures the mixed emotions of autumn: the beauty of changing leaves, the arrival of cooler weather, and the quiet melancholy of watching one season give way to another.
Built around a simple musical idea that gradually unfolds and transforms, the work balances rhythmic energy with more tender, nostalgic moments. Familiar patterns return in new forms, much like the changing seasons themselves. For Torke, autumn is not simply a time of endings, but also one of comfort, beauty, and anticipation for what comes next.
Playing solo bass clarinet with the ASU Symphony Orchestra is ASU's own Professor Jeff Anderle. Read more about Jeff Anderle below!
Jeff Anderle, Special Faculty Guest
A pioneer in the world of clarinet and bass clarinet, Jeff Anderle is exploding the boundaries of classical music with his innovative performances, recordings, commissions, and mentorship. As a soloist and a member of cutting-edge ensembles including Sqwonk and Splinter Reeds, Anderle has augmented the sonic possibilities of the clarinet to captivate audiences nationwide. In 2024, Anderle was appointed as the Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Arizona State University after sixteen years as a professor at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Determined to expand the classical music repertoire, Anderle has commissioned or premiered over 250 works and has recorded twenty albums including contemporary chamber music, solo multi-track projects, and classical/pop hybrid collaborations. Praised for his “keen sense of timing and virtuosic proficiency” (The Clarinet Magazine), he has performed concertos across the country, including commissioning and premiering Mary Kouyoumdjian’s Walking with Ghosts with One Found Sound, the La Jolla Symphony, and the Minneapolis Philharmonic. Anderle has been featured nationally at concert series and festivals such as Bang on a Can Marathon, Kronos Festival, Omaha Under the Radar, ClarinetFest, and the Festival of New American Music.
Anderle has co-founded and is a member of a wide-range of ensembles, demonstrating his imagination and commitment to an incredible array of musical styles and combinations. He is a member of the bass clarinet duo Sqwonk, which infuses aspects of classical, folk and popular music into its own distinct style; Splinter Reeds, a reed quintet dedicated to new innovative music; and the virtuosic heavy metal bass clarinet quartet Edmund Welles.
Anderle is an Artistic Partner with the eight-person wind band Nomad Session working to create new concerto repertoire, a member of the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, and has performed extensively with the S.F. Contemporary Music Players. No stranger to the orchestra, he is Principal bass clarinet of the Monterey Symphony, a member of the Magik*Magik Orchestra, and has played frequently with the San Francisco Symphony, including on a 2023 Grammy-nominated album of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen.
In addition to his work as a performer, Anderle was a co-founder of Switchboard Music, a genre-defying presenting organization which featured hundreds of innovative musicians through its annual marathon and concert series during its 10 year history.
A dedicated educator and mentor, Anderle was appointed as the Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Arizona State University after sixteen years as chair of the woodwind department at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he taught clarinet, bass clarinet, chamber music, technology, and professional development. Anderle has given masterclasses and presentations across the country on topics drawn from his wide-ranging performance and teaching experiences. Anderle holds a M.M. from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a B.A. from University of California at Los Angeles. He is a Selmer Paris Performing Artist and performs on Presence clarinets and a Privilege bass clarinet.
El Sombrero de Tres Picos, Suite No. 2 (1919)
Manuel de Falla
Manuel de Falla’s The Three-Cornered Hat is a lively, humorous ballet rooted in Spanish folk traditions. The story follows a miller and his wife whose quiet village life is turned upside down when a pompous magistrate takes an interest in the miller’s wife. After a series of mishaps and mistaken identities, the couple manages to turn the tables on the magistrate, much to his embarrassment.
Suite No. 2, pulled from the ballet, brings the story’s colorful characters and Spanish setting to life through three dances. From the warmth of a village celebration to the fiery rhythms of flamenco, the music is full of personality, playful twists, and infectious energy. The suite ends with a spirited, fast-paced dance that brings de Falla’s vibrant orchestration and unmistakable Spanish flair to a thrilling conclusion.
MEET THE MUSIC, THEATRE, AND OPERA TEAM FOR STRAUSS'S PRELUDE TO ARIADNE AUF NAXOS
Director
David Toro
Master Coach
Robert Mills
Special Faculty Guest
Carole FitzPatrick
Collaborative Pianist
Grace Templeton
Music Director & Conductor
Alejandro Gómez Guillén
Assistant Conductor
Hayoung Jeong
Aliyah Harris (Composer)
Aliyah Harris (Komponist) is beyond grateful to be cast in Ariadne auf Naxos at ASU. She is a second-year student pursuing her Master of Music in Opera Performance. During her time here at ASU, you may have seen her as Stewardess in Flight and Shepherd in L’enfant et les sortileges.
This performance was crafted with the guidance, love, and support of her two mentors, Dr. Stephanie Weiss and Dr. Robert Mills. Special thanks to her parents, whose continued love and encouragement inspired her to pursue her dreams and never look back. She would like to dedicate this performance to her grandparents, Gilbert and Delma Dominguez, who have moved the sun and moon for her happiness.
Trenton Halterman (Music Teacher)
Trenton Halterman (Musiklehrer) is overjoyed to make his ASU debut in this production of the prologue of Ariadne auf Naxos.
A Music Learning and Teaching student in his senior year, this is his last semester before his tenure as a student teacher begins. Trenton has primarily performed musical theater in the past, recently winning a Zoni award for his performance in MCC’s Into the Woods, but has also performed with the Arizona Opera and Arizona Lyric Theatre. There are many to whom he owes credit, but in particular, he would like to thank his very first voice teacher: his mother.
Kiersten Langford (Zerbinetta)
Kiersten Langford (Zerbinetta) is ecstatic to be a part of ASU's production of The Prologue to Ariadne auf Naxos. She is a second year Master's student, pursuing Musical Theatre Vocal Performance. You may recognize Kiersten from her role as Controller in ASU's Flight. Kiersten is looking forward to playing Sheila in ASU's production of the musical Hair. A huge thank you to her family, voice teacher, cast, and production team for their hard work and support!
Staci Dickens (Primadonna)
Staci Dickens (Primadonna) is delighted to be making her debut at ASU as the Primadonna. She is a first-year DMA student studying with Dr. Stephanie Weiss. She has performed with the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, Master Chorale of Flagstaff, and in concert throughout the southwest. Her previous opera roles include Suor Angelica in Suor Angelica, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, The Sorceress in Dido and Aeneas, and the First Lady in Die Zauberflöte. She would like to thank her friends and family for their unending support and ASU for taking a chance on her.
Haihui Ma (The Tenor)
Haohui Ma (The Tenor) is a DMA student in Vocal Performance at Arizona State University, where he studies with Nathan De’Shon Myers. He earned his master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the Conservatorio “Gaetano Braga” in Italy and his bachelor’s degree from Communication University of China. His operatic roles include Alfredo in La Traviata at Teatro Comunale di Gubbio, Italy, Cristo in La Risurrezione di Cristo, Arlecchino in Le Maschere, and Vespone in La serva padrona. He has also performed in opera productions and choral works in Italy and China. He is delighted to be part of ASU’s production of Prologue to Ariadne auf Naxos.
Derek Carson (Dancing Master)
Derek Carson (Tanzmeister) is currently in the second year of his Master’s program in Opera Vocal Performance. You may have seen Derek in other ASU productions as Noah in Children of Eden, Bill in Flight, Christopher Belling in Curtains, and La théière in L’Enfant et les sortilèges.
Some of his favorite roles have been: Alfredo in Die Fledermaus, Frederick in The Pirates of Penzance, and Tamino in Die Zauberflöte.
Derek has a few special talents outside of singing, including the inexplicable ability to do the splits, an affinity for backbends, and an extensive knowledge of back-cracking techniques.
Claire Tole (Harlekin)
Claire Tole (Harlekin) is thrilled to be cast in Ariadne auf Naxos at ASU. She is a second year master's student pursuing her Master in Music for Opera Performance, and she is a student of Dr. Stephanie Weiss. Her previous roles include La Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica, Sandra in Jonathan Dove's Flight, Carmen in Carmen, and Hansel in Hansel and Gretel.
Following this performance, Claire will be performing with Valley Opera in their Veterans Day Concert. Special thanks to her family, friends, cast and crew, and voice teacher for all their love and support.
Isabella San Pablo (Brighella)
Isabella San Pablo (Brighella) is always thrilled to sing! She is a senior at Arizona State University pursuing her Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance under Dr. Amanda DeMaris, as well as her Bachelor’s of Science in Neuroscience. An eager performer, Isa was last seen covering the Refugee in ASU's production of Flight, as well as in the chorus of ASU's The Marriage of Figaro, Notes on Viardot, L'Orfeo, and L'enfant et les sortilégès. She would like to thank her current and past teachers for supporting her through this amazing craft, as well as her friends, family, and colleagues for all their love.
Alyx Kuhlmann (Scaramuccio)
Alyx Kuhlmann She/They (Scaramuccio) is ecstatic to be a part of their first opera at ASU. She is a Junior majoring in Music Theatre Performance and pursuing a certificate in Vocal Pedagogy. Outside of performing, Alyx spends time doing tech work with SFX Makeup for film and theatre, and works as a professional scare actor making costumes, props, and prosthetics.
Gentry Wessman (Truffaldin)
Gentry Wessman (Truffadiln/Komponist cover) is thrilled to be cast in Ariadne auf Naxos at ASU. She is a 2nd year Opera Performance Masters student and received her Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from Texas State University. Gentry’s professional credits include Sweeney Todd, The Pearl Fishers, and Carmen with the Austin Opera chorus and Madame Butterfly with the OPERA San Antonio chorus. You may have recently seen Gentry as Minskwoman in Flight and L’enfant in L’enfant et les Sortilegès at ASU. Up next, Gentry will be in the ensemble of Hair at ASU and will be covering Zerlina in Don Giovanni with Valley Opera. Gentry would like to thank her boyfriend, friends, family, voice teacher, and coach for all of their love and support.
Henry Morton (Wig Maker)
Henry Morton (Perückenmacher) is a native Oregonian who graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Voice and is working to receive his Masters of Music in Vocal Performance for Musical Theatre with a Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy from Arizona State University. Professional credits: Chip Tolentino in The 25th Annual Spelling Bee and Henrik in A Little Night Music (Hawaii Performing Arts Festival). Educational Credits: Cain in Children of Eden, Ernst in Spring Awakening, Aaron Fox in Curtains, La Rainette in L’Enfant est les Sortileges
Joshua McMiller II (Officer)
Joshua Jermaine McMiller II is a vocalist and graduate student in Vocal Performance at Arizona State University. Originally from Leesburg, Florida, he earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. His operatic and musical theatre credits include Captain Phoebus in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and King Balthazar in Amahl and the Night Visitors. An award-winning vocalist, Joshua received first place in the 2023 Hall Johnson Spirituals Competition and multiple honors in the NATS TEXOMA Regional Auditions and George Shirley Vocal Competition. He also participated in AIMS in Graz, Austria.
Yotam Leket-Mor (Lackey)
Yotam Leket-Mor (Lakai) is excited to be cast in ASU’s Ariadne auf Naxos. He is a Junior Vocal Performance Major at ASU studying with Nathan De’Shon Myers. This will be his fifth production with ASU MTO, with the previous being Notes on Viardot, L’Orfeo, L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, and Flight. Last spring, he was a chorus member in Valley Opera’s L’elisir d’amore, and he is thrilled to be participating in the chorus yet again in their upcoming Don Giovanni in the spring. Ariadne marks his first time singing a named role in an opera, and so he is grateful for the opportunity and to his friends and family for their continued support.
Carole FitzPatrick (Major-Domo)
Carole FitzPatrick is an Associate Professor of Voice at Arizona State University. Her extensive opera repertoire during her 17 years in Germany included Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Janacek, Strauss, and Wagner, having sung over 60 major roles in German opera houses, as well as France, Spain, Finland, Austria, Holland, the Czech Republic, Luxemburg, and Russia. Favorite roles include "Jenufa" in Jenufa, "Elsa" in Lohengrin, "Donna Anna" in Don Giovanni, "Chrysothemis" in Elektra, and of course "Ariadne" in Ariadne auf Naxos. She's grateful for her family, her wonderful ASU voice colleagues, Dr. Landes (fearless leader extraordinaire) and Barney -- her dog.
MEET THE ASU SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Conductor & Music Director
Alejandro Gómez Guillén
Assistant Conductors
Hayoung Jeong, Serena Fornay, Lauren Burchell
Violin I
Zoe Chen^&
Andrew Nix*
Josh Thai+
Yun Hao
Carlos Cid
Yijun Wu
Seoin Kim
Sadie Christie
Chih-Lin Chen
Susan Dunn
Choimei Lao
Violin II
Evan Whipple^&*
Mingyang Yuan
Mia Kraker+
Shuqing Yuan
Xuanyu Chen
Bonnie Burgess-Gay
Kate Gregory
Qi Gao
Bella Giauque
Evelyn Park
Violin III
Isaiah O'Mack+
Manxi Xu
Viola
Daimien Benally^&
Ruth Wu
Kyla Guzman
Steffen Gregan
Guangyu Shan+
Hannah Bradshaw*
Julia Chen
Cello
Bolin Ye^&
Ryan Ellsworth
Dat Pham
Tzu Yi Yeh
Rea Drewett*
Miriam Rodriguez
Yun-De Tsai+
Dayoung Park
Double Bass
Siqing Zhang^&*
Lauren Burchell
Macee Lopez
Meghan Crane
Sila Kuvanci+
Camden Eaton
Flute
Ya-Yun Chiang+*
Aurora Han
Anika Gray^
Oboe
Margaret Dultz+^*
Joshua Hayes
English Horn
Shukun Song
Clarinet
Aiden Millsap^
Alanna Benoit+
Koby Slavin*
Adrianna Valenzuela
Bassoon
Cooper Taylor+
Kate Muehring^*
Lucas Lyum
Trumpet
Justin Espiritu+
Diego Enriquez^
Leland Rossi*
Horn
Jake Wadsworth+
Daphne Anderson^*
Hayden Clark
Isabella de Lima
Lucy Alwin
Trombone
Charles Brantley+^
Garrett Parnaby
Mac Dishman*
Bass Trombone
Dan Iverson
Tuba
Alex Stanbridge
Timpani
Caleb Hupp
Percussion
Ella Gregory
Michael Duran
Maria Julia-Petropoulos
Harp
Kayla Lee
Piano
Tatiana Stratenco
Celeste/Harmonium
Hsiao-Hsi Hsieh
Concertmaster/ Principal
+Strauss
^Farrenc
*De Falla
&Torke
About ASU Symphony Orchestra
The ASU Symphony Orchestra provides its members with intensive orchestral training and professional level artistic performance experience. The ASUSO performs challenging and diverse repertoire chosen to help emerging professional musicians develop a wide range of skills and aptitudes. Rich concert programming offers audiences and the greater arts community opportunities to engage with major works of the orchestral canon as well as cutting-edge works of our time. Exploring the full creative range of the contemporary symphony orchestra, the ASUSO seeks to perform canonical works with technical excellence and artistry while also pushing musical boundaries through innovative multi-disciplinary collaborations.
The ASU Symphony Orchestra aims to extend student learning through rich interactions with professional artists. ASU faculty are closely involved with their students’ orchestral experience and regularly lead orchestral sectionals. The ASU orchestras also maintain a vibrant relationship with the Phoenix Symphony with frequent guest artist visits in both sectional rehearsals and side-by-side rehearsal contexts.
Learn more about our program at musicdancetheatre.asu.edu/ensembles/orchestras.
Land Acknowledgement
The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts acknowledges the twenty-two Native Nations that have inhabited this land for centuries. Arizona State University’s four campuses are located in the Salt River Valley on ancestral territories of Indigenous peoples, including the Akimel O’odham (Pima) and Pee Posh (Maricopa) Indian Communities, whose care and keeping of these lands allows us to be here today.
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