Rites of Renewal: The Firebird
Saturday October 3, 2026 – 7:30PM
Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville
CONCERT PROGRAM:
Hector Berlioz – Roman Carnival Overture
Aaron Copland – Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo
Camille Saint-Saëns – Samson & Delilah: Bacchanale
Igor Stravinsky – The Firebird Suite (1945)
Full Season Subscriptions: Starting at $195
Sampler Subscriptions: Starting at $114
Single Tickets: $42, $54, $65
Akiko Fujimoto, SoNA Music Director
Celebrate Akiko's first concert as SoNA's Music Director in a dazzling program inspired by ritual, celebration, and transformation. From the fiery spectacle of Berlioz's Roman Carnival Overture and Saint-Saëns' Bacchanale to the spirited landscapes of Copland's Rodeo and Stravinsky's legendary The Firebird, this concert captures the magic that happens when music and movement ignite the imagination.
About Akiko Fujimoto:
Akiko Fujimoto is Music Director of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) and Music Director of the Mid-Texas Symphony. Known for evoking dynamic performances, she has earned praise for her “powerhouse performance” from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Previously Associate Conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra, Fujimoto worked closely with Music Director Osmo Vänskä and conducted a wide range of orchestral, pops, and educational programs. She has also served as a cover conductor with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under Esa-Pekka Salonen, Zubin Mehta, and Susanna Mälkki.
Fujimoto has guest conducted orchestras across the United States, including the San Francisco Symphony, National Symphony, Houston Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, Hawai’i Symphony, and the Florida Orchestra. Prior to her time in Minnesota, she held titled conducting positions with the San Antonio Symphony and Virginia Symphony.
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 Rites of Renewal: The Firebird 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 sponsor to be announced