Happy Spring! As we in the Burlington Choral Society rehearse for our spring concert, we think about you being in the audience. Your next chance to hear our large chorus sing gorgeous music is A Baltic Heartbeat: Music of Latvia, on Saturday, April 28, 7:30 p.m., at the College Street Congregational Church, 265 College St., in Burlington, VT.

Artistic director Richard Riley will conduct the chorus in works from classical and folk traditions, featuring the dramatic 1943 cantata Dievs, Tava Zeme Deg! (God, Thy Earth Is Aflame!) by Lūcija Garūta, which premiered with the sound of bombs in the distance.

Also on the program are:
Līgo! ("Sway!") and Pūt vējiņi ("Blow Winds"), traditionally sung at Latvian song festivals
The Fruit of Silence, a setting of Mother Teresa's words, by Pēteris Vasks
Ave Verum Corpus by Imant Raminsh
Stars by Ēriks Ešenvalds, with accompaniment on tuned wine glasses.

Our director says, "Latvia is one of the peaceful 'Singing Revolution' Baltic nations with a rich musical heritage. I hope the power and passion of the music will transport our audience to a country and culture where choral music represents the very beating heart of its people."
The chorus, with guest artists Joshua Collier, tenor; Erik Kroncke, bass; Lynnette Combs, organ; and Claire Black, piano, would love to see you in the audience.
Tickets are on sale now at the Flynn Box Office, (802) 86-FLYNN and online. Prices are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors.
There's more information, including a Downtown Burlington parking map, on the Concert page at www.bcsvermont.org.
Hoping to see you in the audience,
Annette