Baritone Roderick Williams and pianist Iain Burnside will headline a concert at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts as part of at The Schubert Club’s International Artist Series.

The showcase, set for Nov. 13, 2025 will feature the world premiere of a new song cycle by Minnesota composer Libby Larsen, which sets eight haiku written by Japanese Americans who were confined to U.S. internment camps during World War II.

Additionally, Williams and Burnside will pair each haiku setting with art songs connected by theme, including works by Schubert, Beethoven, Vaughan Williams, Poulenc, and others.

“Recently I have been exploring a way of programming recitals that is inspired by the idea of a related playlist as opposed to offering blocks of complete song sets or cycles,” said Williams per an official press release. “In this playlist model, a lead song suggests a further short group linked by theme, although the link could just as easily be one of direct contrast rather than sympathy. The link can be poetic or musical; it is an opportunity for free mind association.”

Larsen’s new song cycle was commissioned by the Schubert Club with support from individual donors, and will celebrate her 75th birthday in December 2025.

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