World-renowned violinist Anne Akiko Meyers returns to Des Moines Civic Center
World-renowned violinist Anne Akiko Meyers returns to Des Moines performing Arturo Márquez’Fandango.
The Des Moines Symphony (DMSO) will kick off its 86th season with a show-stopping celebration of Latin culture, dance and music with its Season Debut: Discover Fandango at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24 at the Des Moines Civic Center.
Anne Akiko Meyers, one of the world’s most celebrated violinists, makes her fourth appearance with the Des Moines Symphony. Described as “a musical wizard, with astonishing access to every kind of expressive color,” by the San Diego Union-Tribune, her September performance in Des Moines will feature Arturo Márquez’ Fandango, which was written specifically for Meyers and was premiered at the Hollywood Bowl in 2021.
Discover Fandango features classical depictions and international interpretations of music from Mexico and Spain. The concert opens with French composer Emmanuel Chabrier’s most famous work, España, inspired by his travels through the country where he was captivated by the culture and music he experienced there. The concert also features two pieces by living Mexican composer Arturo Márquez, including his acclaimed Fandango for Violin and Orchestra. Fandango was commissioned by and written for Anne Akiko Meyers herself, and she premiered the piece at the Hollywood Bowl in August 2021 before bringing it across the country including to Carnegie Hall in October 2022.
“In 10 years, Arturo Márquez’ Fandango could have the same impact on violin repertoire that Tchaikovsky’s famous Violin Concerto has had,” said Des Moines Symphony Music Director and Conductor Joseph Giunta, “Our audience will experience this cutting-edge new work, full of heartwarming melodies and powerful rhythms, performed by Anne Akiko Meyers, the violinist it was written for, at our Debut. This will be a night they won’t ever forget.”
SEASON DEBUT MARKS THE SYMPHONY’S SECOND ANNUAL ‘MACOMBER CONCERT’
The Harriet S. and J. Locke Macomber Des Moines Symphony Fund — a $5 million endowment — was established at the direction of Harriet Macomber upon her passing in 2020. The Macombers were lifelong Des Moines residents and regular supporters of the arts, and the Macomber Des Moines Symphony Fund, which is administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, will enable the Symphony to create exciting, innovative programming designed to sustain and build the Symphony’s audience while growing the Orchestra’s artistic standard of excellence.
LIVESTREAM PERFORMANCE AT LATINO HERITAGE FESTIVAL
On Sunday, Sept. 24, the Symphony will host a livestream performance of the concert at the Latino Heritage Festival. Attendees can grab a bite from Festival vendors and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Des Moines Symphony’s Season Debut with friends and family as the concert is livestreamed and projected on a giant screen.
CONCERT TICKETS
Single tickets are $15-$70 and are available online through dmsymphony.org (up until two hours prior to performances) and at the Civic Center Ticket Office (515.246.2300), 221 Walnut Street, Des Moines; open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and two hours prior to performances. Single tickets, excluding student rush tickets, increase $5 on the day of the concert. Livestream
Student tickets are half-price in all sections and are available through the Civic Center Ticket Office with valid student ID. Student rush tickets, subject to availability, are $5 for junior high and high school students and $10 for all other students the day of the concert through the Civic Center Ticket Office. Tickets will be available at the door.
LIVESTREAM THE CONCERT
The Symphony’s Season Debut will be filmed and broadcast live during the Sunday afternoon performance, and it will be available for 30 days on demand. Streaming concert passes are $25; each pass includes a link and access code for one device. Ticketholders can watch these livestreamed concerts on a Smart TV, a laptop, or even on a phone. More information, including streaming FAQs, can be found at dmsymphony.org/howtostream.
