The Burlington Choral Society presents music for Lent and Easter that moves from tragic to festive. Bob Chilcott's new setting of the St. John Passion spans an enormous expressive range in telling the story of Christ's suffering and death. This will be its first Vermont performance.

John Taverner's Dum Transisset Sabbatum turns toward the light, then Pietro Mascagni's joyous Easter hymn from his opera Cavalleria Rusticana shines bright.

Artistic director Richard Riley will lead the chorus and instrumentalists, with guest artists tenor Adam Hall (Evangelist), bass-baritone Matt Sullivan (Jesus), baritone David Neiweem (Pontius Pilate), soprano Chayah Lichtig and Jenny Bower, organ. Instrumentalists will be Elizabeth Reid, viola; Perri Morris, cello; Jason Whitcomb and Don Wheater, trumpet; Joy Worland, horn; Lori Salimando-Porter, trombone; and William Keck, tuba.