The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, one of the pillars of the state’s art scene, is set to open its 61st season this weekend with “America 250.”
Once again taking its home stage at the Robinson Center, the ASO will kick off the year with two performances at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 3 and at 3 p.m. on Oct. 4, and will feature Little Rock native Florence Price’s “Ethiopia’s Shadow in America,” George Gershwin’s iconic “Rhapsody in Blue” and Aaron Copland’s “Symphony No. 3.”
Geoffrey Robson, ASO’s music director, will conduct the concert, bringing performances that are “among the most significant artistic events in Arkansas’ America 250 commemorations”
“The ASO opens the season with iconic sounds of Americana,” Robson says. “Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ has thrilled audiences with its jazz inflections for more than a century; Florence Price’s music is poignant, reverent and soulful, reflective of her life in Little Rock; Aaron Copland’s third symphony is like an emblem of American music, powerful, accessible and written to be enjoyed by all. I invite everyone to come kick off a great year of live music with your Arkansas Symphony Orchestra!”
An hour prior to each concert, a lecture will be held with ASO music librarian, violinist and Music Academy instructor Geronimo Oyenard to give audiences deeper insight into the program. Lectures are free to all ticket holders.
The season opener is part of the ASO’s Stella Boyle Smith Masterworks Series. Later in the month, E. Lee Ronnel Artist of Distinction and pianist Stewart Goodyear will perform on Oct. 5 as part of the River Rhapsodies Chamber Music Series, before the First Orion Pops Series brings the frightful fun on Oct. 17-18 with its “Halloween Spooktacular” show.
For ticket information and more details on the 61st season, visit the ASO website, and follow along on Facebook and Instagram for the latest.
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