Leif Erikson and Norwegian-American Centennial Cantata
2025-10-12 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Thursday, October 9 at 7 pm
Calvary Lutheran Church, Federal Way (map)
Pre-register here
Friday, October 10 at 7 pm
Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Bellevue (map)
Pre-register here
Sunday, October 12 at 3 pm
Ballard First Lutheran Church, Seattle (map)
Pre-register here

In collaboration with Puget Sound Concert Opera we will be commemorating Crossings 200 with performances of Seattle’s own Norwegian-American immigrant Gerard Tonning’s Norwegian-language opera Leif Erikson alongside F. Melius Christiansen’s Norwegian-American Centennial Cantata, reflecting on 200 years of Norwegian immigration to America.
Gerard Tonning composed Leif Erikson over a century ago and it has not been heard in nearly as long. We are excited to resurrect this beautiful work chronicling the adventures of Norway’s most famous adventurer. Our Composer-in-Residence Steven Luksan has spent years reconstructing this opera from fragments and manuscripts which had been stored in the basement of the University of Washington library. This will be sung in Norwegian and English with English spoken dialogue.
Founder of the Saint Olaf Choir, F. Melius Christiansen’s Norwegian-American Centennial Cantata was composed one-hundred years ago for the centennial of this same immigration celebration. We welcome singers from the community to join us in singing in the chorus of this monumental work. Don’t worry… this one is all in English. All voice types and experiences welcome.
Want to sing with us? Sign up here!
Rehearsals are at Ballard First Lutheran Church:
Wednesday, September 24, 7-9 pm
Monday, September 29, 7-9 pm
Wednesday, October 1, 7-9 pm
Sunday, October 5, 4-6 pm (required)
Tuesday, October 7, 6:30-8 pm Dress Rehearsal (required)
Questions? Email info@nwegriegsociety.org or contact us here.
Featuring:
Micah Parker, baritone as Leif Erikson
Laura Loge, soprano as Gudrid
Katie Stevenson, mezzo-soprano as Thorbjorg & Tyrker
Terence Mejos, baritone as Halfred, Priest, and Cantata soloist
Karen Dunstan, soprano as Nun & Cantata soloist
John Burkhardt, piano, Music Director, Leif Erikson
The PSCO chorus and chamber ensemble,
Scott Fikse, NWEGS conductor-in-residence & Cantata chorusmaster
Steven Luksan, composer & arranger
Free and open to the public
Donations welcome
These concerts are supported, in part, by the City of Bellevue, 4Culture, and the Sons of Norway Foundation.
