PORTLAND — Portland Ovations, in collaboration with Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ and LARK Society for Chamber Music, will present contemporary composer Phil Kline’s “John the Revelator” at Merrill Auditorium on Sunday, May 15.

A powerful Mass for the 21st century, “John the Revelator” is considered one of the most significant works of the past decade. It finds inspiration in the writings of Samuel Beckett and poet David Shapiro, early American hymns, shape-note singing and the events of 9/11.

The performance will feature the vocal sextet Lionheart, which has been lauded by The New York Times for its “smoothly blended and impeccably balanced sound.” Lionheart will be joined by municipal organist Ray Cornils and the Portland String Quartet.

The concert will include a new work for organ by Kline, commissioned in part by Portland Ovations and Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ.

Kline was raised in Akron, Ohio, by parents who were devout Pennsylvania Dutch Lutherans. He graduated from Columbia University with a degree in English literature before embarking on his musical career and becoming a well-known figure on the downtown New York rock scene, founding the band the Del-Byzanteens with filmmaker Jim Jarmusch and painter James Nares.

Since then, Kline has composed and created vast boombox symphonies, chamber music and song cycles.

The concert will begin at 3 p.m. For tickets, $38, call PortTix at 842-0800, visit the box office at Merrill Auditorium or log on to www.portlandovations.org.