Finding Light in Darkness
St. James Cathedral
804 Ninth Ave, Seattle
After nearly two years of hiatus due to the pandemic, Opus 7 is thrilled to present Finding Light in Darkness, a program of music featuring inspirational texts of faith, hope, and love.
Our first concert of 2022 presents a collection of extraordinary works spanning six centuries from some of the greatest European and American choral composers, setting some of the most profound and prayerful texts in the choral repertoire. Composers include Howells, Parry, Schütz, Gibbons; Welsh native Paul Mealor; and Seattle’s own Peter Hallock and John Muehleisen.
We will sing three pieces by the Anglican composer Peter Hallock, who was Director of Music and conductor of the Compline Choir at Seattle’s iconic St. Mark’s Cathedral for a span of more than 60 years. “Rachel’s Lament,” a movement from Hallock’s liturgical drama Days of Herod, narrates the grief of a mother’s loss through a dialogue between two soloists with handbell accompaniment. There is a Stream, with text by 17th-century poet John Mason, describes a heavenly Paradise. Phoenix—whose text is adapted from an ancient Christian poem—combines choir, harp, and cello to express the miraculous resurrection of the Phoenix rising from the ashes, representing Christ’s Resurrection.
Seattle native John Muehleisen, Opus 7’s critically-acclaimed Composer-in-Residence, will be represented in an encore performance of De Profundis (Out of the Depths). This work is based on the collection of Psalm texts sung by the Israelites on their journey from captivity in Babylon to the holy city of Jerusalem.
We hope you will join us for an evening of restorative and inspirational music, as we journey together to find light in darkness, all in the glorious acoustic of St. James Cathedral.
Lenten music for
choir, cello, harp, and percussion
Loren W. Pontén, director
with special guests
Naomi Kato, harp
Kevin Krentz, cello
Karen Sunmark, percussion
Works by
Schütz, Tartini, Gibbons,
Mealor, Dubra,
Sviridov, Miškinis,
Parry, Harris, Howells
Peter Hallock, John Muehleisen,
and Alice Parker
NOTE REGARDING COVID-19 PROTOCOL:
Following the lead of the major arts organizations in Seattle, St. James will continue to require masks to be worn at all times during a concert at St. James Cathedral and proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within 48 hours of the performance start time, through Tuesday, May 31, 2022.
Please have your vaccination card or negative test result available to show an usher prior to entering the Cathedral for this Saturday night’s performance.
Thank you!
Suggested donation: Preferred Seating: $40 in advance
General Seating: $25 in advance, $30 at the door
Seniors: $20 in advance, $24 at the door
Students: Pay as able at the door with student ID.