November 9, 2026 | 8:00 pm
University Symphony Orchestra
Free - no tickets required
Hill Auditorium
“Beyond the Footlights” – Step beyond the footlights into a musical world that traverses from magic to masquerades, comedy to romance, and elegance to spectacle. The USO presents an evening of music inspired by the stage, featuring 2026 SMTD Concerto Competition winner Grace Ryan (MM ’26, voice), mezzo-soprano, in two very different portrayals of Cinderella: the tender and lyrical Cendrillon by Massenet, and the dazzling and playful La Cenerentola by Rossini. Mozart’s sparkling Magic Flute Overture sets the stage for the evening, which culminates in Richard Strauss’s exuberant Le Bourgeois gentilhomme, featuring virtuosic violin, cello, and piano soloists. Witty, energetic, and full of theatrical flair, Strauss’s music brings this journey to a rollicking conclusion.