The invention provides an apparatus for performing surgery on a heart of a patient comprising a first arm (26), a second arm (24) and an actuator (40), the actuator moving the first arm relative to the second arm. The apparatus further includes a first blade (52) on the first arm and a second blade (54) on the second arm, the first and second blades having first and second surfaces facing away from each other, and having surfaces adapted to atraumatically engage tissue or bone for the retractation thereof. The apparatus also includes a stabilizer (70) adapted to be mounted to one of the first and second arms having a foot (80), the foot being configured to atraumatically engage the surface of the heart. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes removable blades (52, 54) mounted to the arms, suture stays (62) removably mounted to the arms, and multiple rails (28, 29) for mounting the stabilizer in various positions.