The Burlington Choral Society will present A Baltic Heartbeat: Music of Latvia as its spring concert. Richard Riley, artistic director, will lead the chorus, with vocal soloists, organ and piano in works from classical and folk traditions on Saturday, April 28, 7:30 p.m. at historic College Street Congregational Church in Burlington, VT.

The concert features the 1943 cantata "Dievs, Tava Zeme Deg!" ("God, Thy Earth Is Aflame!") by Lūcija Garūta, which premiered in the capital city of Riga with the sound of bombs in the distance. A fervent prayer for peace and freedom, it was banned during Soviet control of Latvia and revived in the 1990s.

Celebrating the traditional side of Latvia's music, the program includes two works sung at Latvian song festivals: "Līgo!" ("Sway!") and "Pūt vējiņi" ("Blow Winds").

Contemporary composers are represented in Stars, a shimmering piece by Ēriks Ešenvalds accompanied by tuned wine goblets, "The Fruit of Silence" by Pēteris Vasks and "Ave Verum Corpus" by Imant Raminsh.

Vocal soloists are Joshua Collier, tenor, and Erik Kroncke, bass. Lynnette Combs is organist. Pianist Claire Black accompanies the chorus on "The Fruit of Silence."

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."

To honor the centennial of Latvia's independence in 1918, we invited the embassy of the Republic of Latvia to the U.S. to send a representative. Artūrs Saburovs, Third Secretary (Communications & Public Diplomacy), will attend the concert and make brief remarks.

Tickets are at the Flynn Box Office, flynntix.org and (802) 86-FLYNN. Prices are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors.

More information is available at www.bcsvermont.org.