Past Event | Across the Silk Road: Scheherazade
Saturday January 31, 2026 – 7:30PM
Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville
Program:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Overture to the Abduction from the Seraglio
Alexander Borodin – In the Steppes of Central Asia
Maurice Ravel – Mother Goose Suite
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov – Scheherazade
Akiko Fujimoto, Guest Conductor
“Every time I come to NWA, I’m struck not just by the stunning scenery, but
by the creative energy and global curiosity of the people who live here. That spirit inspired me to put together this program full of vivid stories, colorful sounds, and musical adventures across cultures. The journey begins with Mozart’s sparkling Abduction Overture, followed by Borodin’s windswept Steppes, and Ravel’s enchanted Mother Goose, before closing with
Rimsky-Korsakov’s hypnotic Scheherazade.”
About Akiko Fujimoto
With expressive style, meticulous preparation and a gift for connecting with ensembles, conductor Akiko Fujimoto is known for evoking dynamic performances wherever she conducts, inspiring praise for her “powerhouse performance” from the San Francisco Chronicle. Fujimoto is currently Music Director of the Mid-Texas Symphony, serving the fast-growing region of Seguin and New Braunfels. She has previously held titled conducting positions with three major American orchestras – Minnesota Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony, and Virginia Symphony – and made conducting appearances with numerous other U.S. orchestras including the San Francisco Symphony, National Symphony, Houston Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, Hawai’i Symphony and the Florida Orchestra.
Fujimoto’s previous conducting roles include a stint as Associate Conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra, where she worked closely with Music Director Osmo Vänskä. She also previously worked with Esa-Pekka Salonen, Zubin Mehta, and Susanna Mälkki as a cover conductor at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In her time with the Virginia Symphony, she served as Conducting Associate alongside Music Director JoAnn Falletta. She also previously held the title of Associate Conductor at the San Antonio Symphony.
Born in Japan, Fujimoto holds a bachelor’s degree in music and psychology from Stanford University and Master of Music degrees in conducting from Eastman School of Music and Boston University. She began her career with conducting roles at Harvard University and Stanford University, later serving as Director of Orchestras at the College of William & Mary and Music Director of the Williamsburg Youth Orchestras.
Inside the Music
Listen, see, learn, and experience the music to the fullest! Go Inside the Music to get a 360-degree view of the upcoming Across the Silk Road: Scheherazade concert and the creatives who bring the music to life in advance of the show – including artist interviews, program notes, recordings, and the best places to get a bite or drink before and after the show.
Concert sponsored by George & Mary Benjamin and Alan & Sherri Lamb