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Arvo Pärt's Passio
St. James Cathedral Cantorei & Chamber Orchestra
conducted by Joseph Adam


Jesus: Benjamin Harris, bass-baritone
Pilate: Carson Truett Lott, tenor
Evangelist: Natalie Ingrisano, soprano; Sarah Larkworthy, alto; Chad DeMaris, tenor; David P. Hoffman, bass

Cantorei, the professional vocal ensemble of St. James Cathedral, with chamber orchestra, sings Arvo Pärt's masterwork Passio.

This unique and meditative setting of the St. John Passion is a pinnacle of Arvo Pärt's tintinnabuli compositional style. Sung in Latin, the work is scored for solo baritone (Jesus), solo tenor (Pilate), solo vocal quartet (Evangelist), choir, violin, oboe, cello, bassoon, and organ. The harmonies, though stark and minimalist, are deeply moving. Pärt once commented, "I could compare my music to white light which contains all colors. Only a prism can divide the colors and make them appear; this prism could be the spirit of the listener." The splendid acoustic and sacred space of St. James Cathedral, Seattle, adding another dimension to this prism, deepens the emotional impact of this masterwork.

"Tintinnabuli is the mathematically exact connection from one line to another…tintinnabuli is the rule where the melody and the accompaniment [accompanying voice]…is one. One and one, it is one—it is not two. This is the secret of this technique." – from a conversation between Arvo Pärt and Antony Pitts recorded for BBC Radio 3 at the Royal Academy of Music in London on 29 March 2000, as printed in the liner notes of the Naxos Records release of Passio.

 
Tickets:

2025-2026 Concert Series: Arvo Pärt: Passio – Cathedral Cantorei – Saturday, March 7, 2026 – 8:00 pm

This link will take you to the Zeffy ticketing page at Zeffy.com.

Ticket prices: suggested donation
$22.00 general | $14.00 students & seniors | or pay as able


There is no service charge for purchasing online (the suggested tip for the Zeffy platform is optional, and you may change the amount to $0). Pay-as-able tickets are available both at the ticketing link and the box office.

Doors open at 7:30pm. The concert begins at 8:00pm. The Cathedral will be closed after the 5:30pm Mass at approximately 6:45pm for setup.

While advance purchase of tickets is encouraged and greatly appreciated, walk-up tickets will be available at the south Columbia Street/Courtyard door only (box office will open no later than 7:30pm). Those who have purchased tickets in advance, are entering with a Friends of Cathedral Music donor card, or are on the will-call list may enter at any entrance.

To make Friends of Cathedral Music donor reservations or to buy advance tickets with a check or cash (requires a visit to the Cathedral during weekday business hours), contact musicoffice@stjames-cathedral.org or 206-382-4874.

 
More Information about Cathedral Concerts:

Where to Enter
There are three Cathedral entrances for concerts:

- The Marion Street/Terry Avenue entrance is at the northeast corner of the Cathedral. This entrance is accessible to those with disabilities. Restrooms are located at this entrance. Advance ticket holders and those with a Friends of Cathedral Music card may enter here.

- The Columbia Street/Courtyard entrance is on the south side of the Cathedral near the Chapel. ADA accessible via a ramp. The Box Office to purchase walk-up tickets is located here. Advance ticket holders and those with a Friends of Cathedral Music card may enter here.

- The 9th Avenue entrance is on the west side of the Cathedral. This entrance is NOT accessible to those who use a wheelchair or have other mobility issues that preclude the use of stairs. Advance ticket holders and those with a Friends of Cathedral Music card may enter here.

Parking Information
- The Cabrini Center Garage on Marion Street closes at 8:30 PM and is not available for concert parking.

- Limited free parking (~65 spaces) is available in the O'Dea High School parking lot, entrances on Marion and Columbia Streets between Terry and Boren Avenues.

- Street parking is $5.00/hour and free after 8:00pm.

- Parking for Disabled Parking Permits is on the west side of Terry Ave. between Marion and Columbia Sts. A passenger drop-off space is on the southwest corner of Terry Ave. at Marion St.

Paid Parking near the Cathedral:
- The Skyline garage remains open until 10pm nightly, enter on Columbia Street between 8th & 9th Avenues.

- Swedish First Hill: After-hours parking is available at the Marion and Minor garage, located at 1101 Madison, on levels A, B, C and D. Between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. and on weekends, you must deposit $5 in the after-hours pay box to exit. https://www.swedish.org/locations/first-hill-campus/patients-and-visitors/campus-map-directions-and-parking#tabcontent-1-pane-2

- You can use a website or app such as SpotHero.com to find and reserve other options, including a number of open-air lots near the Cathedral.

Public Transportation
St. James Cathedral is within a few blocks of a number of bus lines and the First Hill Streetcar. The #60 bus stops directly in front on 9th Ave. To plan your trip, visit tripplanner.kingcounty.gov (or 206-553-3000), or maps.google.com and search for Terry Ave & Marion St, Seattle.

Questions
Questions? Contact the Music Office at 206-382-4874, or e-mail musicoffice@stjames-cathedral.org.

804 Ninth Avenue Seattle, WA 98104 | 206-382-4874 | musicoffice@stjames-cathedral.org