SEASON PREMIERE featuring the

Chamber Orchestra Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 7:00 PM Schwan Concert Hall Wisconsin Lutheran College Carter Simmons, Music Director Florentine Opera Studio Artists Ariana Douglas, Soprano Leroy Y. Davis, Baritone EDWARD ELGAR Chanson de Nuit, Op. 15, No. 1 (1857–1934) Chanson de Matin, Op. 15, No. 2 W.A. MOZART “E Susanna non vien!... (1756-1791) Dove sono I bei momenti” from Le Nozze di Figaro Ms. Douglas “Non piu andrai” from Le Nozze di Figaro Mr. Davis “La ci darem la mano” from Don Giovanni Ms. Douglas Mr. Davis INTERMISSION FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN Symphony No. 101 in D Major (“The Clock”) (1732-1809) I. Adagio – Presto II. Andante III. Menuetto: Allegretto IV. Finale: Vivace

Season Premiere

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ARIANA DOUGLAS | SOPR ANO Recent highlights of Florentine Opera Studio Artist Ariana Douglas’ career include Cugina in Madama Butterfly, Sally in Die Fledermaus, as well as touring with the Florentine Opera’s educational program. Other credits include the soprano soloist for Bruckner’s Te Deum with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and Mozart’s Requiem with the Louisiana State University Symphony Orchestra. In addition, she has covered the roles of Mary Warren and Ann Putnam in The Crucible at the Glimmerglass Festival. In 2015 and 2016, Ms. Douglas received an encouragement award in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. She made her Florentine Opera Company debut in 2015 singing Cugina in Madama Butterfly. Ms. Douglas, of Appleton, WI, earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of WisconsinMadison in 2013 and completed her Master of Music degree in 2015 at Louisiana State University. This is her second season with the Florentine Opera Studio Artist Program.

L E R O Y Y. DAV I S | B A R I TO N E Recent highlights of Florentine Opera Studio Artist Leroy Y. Davis’ career include Prince Yamadori and The Imperial Commissioner in Madama Butterfly and the role of Ivan in Die Fledermaus with the Florentine Opera Company. Other credits include the bass soloist for Bruckner’s Te Deum with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Don Alfonso as a guest artist in Cosi fan tutte with the New England Conservatory, the Sergeant of Police in The Pirates of Penzance and A Mandarin/Ping in Turandot with Shreveport Opera. Upcoming engagements include Benny in The Ballad of Baby Doe and Sacristan (cover) in Tosca at Central City Opera. Mr. Davis made his debut with the Florentine Opera in 2015 as Prince Yamadori and the Imperial Commissioner in Madama Butterfly. This is his second season with the Florentine Opera Studio Artist Program. C A R T E R S I M M O N S | A R T I S T I C D I R E C TO R M U S I C D I R E C TO R , C H A M B E R O R C H E S T R A Artistic Director Carter Simmons has worked with the musicians of Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) since 1992. He was named Distinguished Citizen-Professional in the Arts by the Civic Music Association of Milwaukee and recognized by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra for “distinguished contributions to music education in Wisconsin.” He leads an artistic staff of 50 professionals who teach musicians in more than 25 ensembles making MYSO one of the largest programs in the nation. During his association, MYSO has grown to serve 1,000 musicians and risen in national prominence including recognition as an awardee of the 2015 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. 2

Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra

C A R T E R S I M M O N S | A R T I S T I C D I R E C TO R

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Mr. Simmons is Music Director of both MYSO’s Chamber Orchestra and Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. His programs feature composers such as Adams, Copland, Debussy, Ginastera, Harbison, Higdon, Mahler, Ravel, and Theofanidis and provide opportunities to perform earlier works of J.S. Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, W.A. Mozart and Schubert, among others. His programming reflects a belief that young musicians crave challenge, that they should be led to experience the highest form of music making, and that their performances tell a story that is both important and compelling. Mr. Simmons’ training included work at Interlochen, the Eastern Music Festival and lessons at the Tanglewood Music Center. A finalist of the National Conducting Institute of the National Symphony Orchestra under Leonard Slatkin, he participated in seminars conducting the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and the Eastman Wind Ensemble. His degrees are in horn and vocal performance and in instrumental conducting. He was the first undergraduate to conduct the UNCG Wind Ensemble before his appointment as Assistant Conductor of the UWM Youth Wind Ensemble. He is indebted to his teachers Dr. John Locke, Robert Gutter, Larry Rachleff and Thomas L. Dvorak while attending classes of Elizabeth Green, John Downey, Leon Fleischer, Gustav Meier and Frederick Fennell, among others. Mr. Simmons has been invited to work with many of the region’s orchestras including the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Starry Nights Orchestra featuring artists of Milwaukee’s Florentine Opera, and the Wisconsin Philharmonic.

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