Baroque Banter

The Myth, the Music, and the Australian Coast How do you transform a 300-year-old rediscovered masterpiece into a visceral Australian beach holiday? Join host Genevieve Lang as she goes behind the scenes of Pinchgut Opera’s premiere of Scarlatti’s The First Murder (Il primo omicidio). In this episode, Artistic Director and Conductor Erin Helyard and Director Dean Bryant reveal how they are bringin...

Ahead of our upcoming production of tThe First Murder at Roslyn Packer Theatre, host and Artistic Director Erin Helyard dives into the world of Alessandro Scarlatti. He is joined by Dr. Rosalind Halton, renowned harpsichordist, researcher, and Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle. Together, they explore the genius of this Italian Baroque master and the rare emotional depth of his mas...

Host Erin Helyard chats with Tasmania-based American violist Karina Schmitz about playing in the Orchestra of the Antipodes and the rich world of J.S Bach and Georg Telemann’s concertos and sonatas. What role does the viola play in Baroque chamber setting? How does it shape the colour and conversation within the music? Join these brilliant artists for an engaging discussion about the viola’s place...

To commemorate the release of the digital album release of the live audio recording of Pinchgut's 2019 production of Farnace, Conductor Erin Helyard chats with countertenor Christopher Lowrey and mezzo-soprano Helen Sherman to revisit the production. Together, they reflect on moments both on stage and off, while honouring the memory of beloved friends Taryn Fiebig, Max Riebl, and Jacqueline Dark,...

Recorded live at the State Library of NSW, this episode of Baroque Banter takes you on a captivating journey into the origins and afterlife of Handel’s Messiah. Ahead of Pinchgut Opera’s upcoming performance of the Original 1742 Dublin Version, Dr Erin Helyard, Artistic Director of Pinchgut Opera and Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, guides us through the rich history, context, and...

Join host Erin Helyard as he takes us on a sweeping exploration of the origins of Maid Made Boss, the tradition of the intermezzo, the political and philosophical tensions of mid-century Paris, and how one clever servant girl helped change the course of operatic history. Musical excerpt 1 - Taryn Fiebig as Erighetta and Richard Anderson as Don Chilone in Pinchgut Opera's "Erighetta e Don Chilone b...

Join host Genevieve Lang for a captivating conversation with director Netia Jones and conductor Erin Helyard as they explore Pinchgut Opera’s bold new production of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen. This episode takes you behind the scenes of a daring reimagining of the 17th-century masterpiece filled with utterly beautiful music and kaleidoscopic splendour.

Pinchgut Opera Artistic Director Erin Helyard takes is into the glittering world of Restoration England with The Fairy Queen, a rich and whimsical semi-opera by Henry Purcell. Created in 1692 for the lavish court of William and Mary, this masterpiece fuses Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the era’s love of spectacle, music, and myth. In this episode, we explore how The Fairy Queen refl...

What makes the harpsichord so captivating? Join Australia’s finest harpsichordist and Pinchgut Opera Artistic Director, Erin Helyard, as he sits down with master harpsichord maker Carey Beebe for a deep dive into the artistry and allure of this remarkable instrument. Together, they explore the brilliance of Bach’s Goldberg Variations and why it was meant to be played on a two-manual harpsichord. A...

Step into the world of Pinchgut Opera’s landmark production of Handel’s Julius Caesar. Join host Genevieve Lang as she sits down with director Neil Armfield AO and conductor Erin Helyard to uncover the artistry, vision, and stories behind this history-making Australian operatic event.

Earlier on Baroque Banter we discussed French Imports, and looked at how Italian musicians found their way into France in the seventeenth century, and what the French did with their dances and their opera. Although the flow of music was very strong from Italy to France, French developments and dances also made their way to other countries. In this episode of Baroque Banter we discuss French export...

Join Artistic Director Erin Helyard for a fascinating journey into the story of Allegri's Miserere. Be transported to the world of 17th century sacred music and discover some of the secrets behind this enigmatic piece of Baroque vocal writing. Featuring: Voiceovers by Jill Halleron Featured Musical Excerpts: Allegri's Miserere excerpt from Pinchgut Opera's concert Splendour of Venice recorded at P...

Tune in for a journey through one of opera's most beloved works, Dido and Aeneas. Dive into the enchanting world of Purcell's masterpiece with Host Genevieve Lang, conductor Erin Helyard and director Lucy Clements. Whether you're an opera aficionado or a newcomer, this episode lets you discover the details of this fresh new production by Pinchgut Opera.

Join award-winning writer and actor Kate Mulvany OAM and acclaimed director Lucy Clements as they discuss the new prologue for Pinchgut's new production of Dido and Aeneas. In the spirit of providing a backstory and context, Kate has written us a new spoken-word prologue that helps us freshly understand Purcell’s original setting. Discover what it was like to create this piece.

Host Keiren Brandt-Sawdy chats with Artistic Director and Erin Helyard about Theodora. Delve deep into Handel's oratorio and gain insight our performance at the Sydney Opera House in partnership with Opera Australia.

Host Keiren Brandt-Sawdy chats with conductor Erin Helyard and director Louisa Muller about one of the most beloved works in the Baroque repertoire. Discover fresh insight into Pinchgut's first staging of a Handel opera, with Rinaldo. Get ready to be swept away by the magic and adventure when you witness this towering masterpiece of music and drama on stage at City Recital Hall this November.

In this pre-performance podcast, host Genevieve Lang sits down with Conductor Erin Helyard to chat about the upcoming September performance of Pleasures of Versailles by Charpentier. They discuss the tiny operas that were enjoyed by Louis XIV at the Palace of Versailles. Step inside the courtly chambers and learn about the entertainment that was fit for a king.

Baroque Banter 11: French Imports. In this Baroque Banter Erin Helyard talks about the influence of Italian music and musicians in France in the seventeenth century. He talks about opera, dances, chaconnes, passacaglias and the multicultural mix that makes Baroque music so special. Excerpts by Erin on harpsichord.

Host Genevieve Lang is joined by Pinchgut's Artistic Director Erin Helyard and director Dean Bryant to discuss the much anticipated Australian premiere of the opera Giustino by Legrenzi. A forgotten triumph of Venetian opera, Giustino is a fast-paced, kaleidoscopic and fanciful opera packed with arias and old-fashioned wonder that will leave you stamping your feet for more. A classic rags-to-riche...

Pinchgut Opera’s pre-concert podcast with Genevieve Lang and Pinchgut Opera Artistic Director, Erin Helyard. Passion, divinity, transcendence: Pinchgut Opera presents its first concert of the season, Membra Jesu Nostri by Buxtehude. A cycle of seven cantatas composed by German composer Dieterich Buxtehude in 1680. The music is loving: pure, balanced and deeply expressive, demonstrating an extraord...

Pinchgut Opera presents a very special episode of Baroque Banter! Host Genevieve Lang is joined by Pinchgut's Artistic Director Erin Helyard to discuss the exciting season of Baroque and Early Music concerts and operas ahead for our treasured audiences in our 2023 Season. We hope you enjoy listening! PINCHGUT OPERA'S 2023 SEASON April | Concert Membra Jesu Nostri by Dieterich Buxtehude May | Opera...

To help you prepare for your attendance at Médée, we invite you to listen to Pinchgut's pre-opera podcast. Hosted by Genevieve Lang, with guests Pinchgut Opera Artistic Director Erin Helyard, and Director Justin Way. For more than 20 years, Pinchgut Opera's end of year production has remained one of the highlights of the live performance calendar, and this year will be no exception. Charpentier’s...

Pinchgut Opera’s pre-concert podcast, hosted by Genevieve Lang, with guest, Pinchgut Opera Artistic Director, Erin Helyard. For over three centuries, Venice was home to a special institution unique in music history: the ospedali. These were inaugurated as state-run shelters for poor or homeless children and the ospedali provided the very first formally organised music education for female musician...

Pinchgut Opera's pre-opera podcast, hosted by Genevieve Lang, with very special guests Pinchgut Opera Artistic Director Erin Helyard, and Director Constantine Costi. Witty, beautiful and psychologically fascinating, Orontea is set in a heightened contemporary world somewhere between Egypt and Las Vegas. The story centres around a love octagon, where decadence, pleasure and power fuel our colourful...

Pinchgut Opera's pre-concert podcast hosted by Genevieve Lang with very special guest, Pinchgut Opera's Artistic Director, Erin Helyard. The Spiritual Forest by Monteverdi is a concert featuring some of the most sublime sacred music ever written, taken from Claudio Monteverdi's magnum opus of 1641, Selva morale e spirituale. Genevieve and Erin explore the history and musicology of the work, delvin...