Dances of Death
Saturday, November 8, 2025 • 7:30 p.m.
First Free Methodist Church (3200 3rd Ave W, Seattle)
Harmonia Orchestra & Chorus
William White, conductor
Zachary Lenox, baritone
Program
Alfred Schnittke (1934–1998)
“Agitato I” from Story of an Unknown Actor
Sergei Rachmaninov (1873–1943)
“Blessed art Thou, O Lord” from All-Night Vigil
William C. White (*1983)
Dies Irae [world premiere]
— intermission —
Sergei Rachmaninov
Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
About the Concert
With the Symphonic Dances, Sergei Rachmaninov created his final statement, a summary of his life and obsessions, quoting some of the music that meant the most to him: the blazing light of the “Alleluias” from his All-Night Vigil, and the fateful “Dies Irae” melody that had haunted him throughout his career. The “Dies Irae” is also the subject of a major new work for chorus, baritone and orchestra by Harmonia music director William White, receiving its world premiere on this macabre program.
This performance will last approximately one hour and 45 minutes, including one intermission.
Join music director William White for a pre-concert talk beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Maestro’s Prelude
— William White
About the Soloist
Praised for “a broad, resonant baritone that is exquisitely controlled throughout his entire range,” Zachary Lenox has performed across North America, including the roles of Silvio (Pagliacci), Marcello (La Bohème), Marullo (Rigoletto), Count Almaviva (Le nozze di Figaro), Guglielmo and Don Alfonso (Così fan tutte), Papageno (Die Zauberflöte), Father (Hansel and Gretel), Sid (Albert Herring), Gianni Schicchi and Betto (Gianni Schicchi), and Dick Deadeye (H.M.S. Pinafore). He has appeared with Portland Opera Opera Parallèle, Pacific Music Works, Cascadia Chamber Opera, Portland Summerfest, Portland Chamber Orchestra, Portland Concert Opera, Eugene Concert Choir, Bravo Northwest and the Astoria Music Festival. Concert appearances include Handel’s Messiah, Samson and Judas Maccabeus, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Schubert’s Mass in G, the Verdi and Fauré Requiems, and many works of J.S. Bach, including both the role of Jesus and the baritone arias in the St. Matthew Passion with Harmonia. Recent and upcoming engagements include Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Seattle Philharmonic, Mozart’s Requiem with Seattle Choral Company, and Beethoven’s Ninth with the Oregon Symphony, Auburn Symphony and Willamette Master Chorus.
- Learn more: zacharylenox.com