Baroque Banter

In this podcast, Artistic Director Erin Helyard delves into the vibrant world of baroque ornamentation. Singers both then and now are expected to ornament their music in an exciting way that shows off their technique and expression. We look at treatises, unearth some recently discovered ornamentation in Handel’s hand, and lift a lid on the ornamental art of the great baroque singers.

Platée's pre-opera podcast hosted by Genevieve Lang with very special guests Pinchgut Opera's Artistic Director Erin Helyard, and cast members Kanen Breen and Cathy-Di Zhang. Celebrated Australian director Neil Armfield makes his Pinchgut debut in a deliciously twisted comedy by one of the greatest French baroque composers. Rameau clearly enjoyed himself composing this one-of-a-kind comédie lyriq...

We are thrilled to present a new episode of Baroque Banter, The Economics of Opera. In this fascinating episode, Erin examines how opera was run and funded in the age of Monteverdi, Cavalli and Cesti; who got paid the most and the least, who were the movers and shakers, and who were the impresarios who risked it all for a shot at fame. Take a deep dive into the intriguing history of the business o...

Pre-opera podcast hosted by Genevieve Lang with very special guests, Pinchgut Opera Artistic Director Erin Helyard and Director Mitchell Butel. The Loves of Apollo & Dafne by Cavalli Directed by Mitchell Butel and featuring Alexandra Oomens, Max Riebl and Stacy Alleaume (fresh from her stand out performances with Opera Australia in La Traviata.) Pinchgut’s first opera performance in 18 months feat...

Genevieve Lang sits down with Pinchgut Opera's Artistic Director Erin Helyard to provide some great insights and information about Pinchgut Opera's performance of Monteverdi's Vespers. Perfect listening to prepare for your concert of this Baroque masterpiece.

In this episode, Erin Helyard discusses the music scene — those moments in opera where music itself is the topic, and the characters allude to singing or playing or they actually sing a song! Because everything else is sung, how do these “songs” function? Erin explains that there are three kinds of music scene: the song-within-the-opera, the gratuitous music scene, and “meta-opera” (where opera is...

In the newest episode of our podcast series, Baroque Banter - The Love Duet, Erin Helyard discusses the love duet in baroque opera and the intense emotions it helps to convey - from blissful love to total despair. Erin delves deep into the subject matter and explains the function and evolution of one of opera’s most evocative and transcendent conventions. Tune in to enjoy Erin’s explanation of the...

The next episode of our podcast series, Baroque Banter - In Conversation with Miriam Allan is out now. In this episode Erin Helyard is joined by one of his true contemporaries, soprano and self-proclaimed lover of chaconnes, Miriam Allan. Miriam has performed in multiple Pinchgut productions, beginning with our very first in 2002, Handel's Semele. United in their shared origins and deep love for b...

The newest episode of our podcast series, Baroque Banter, is available for you to listen to now. In episode 5, The Lament, Artistic Director Erin Helyard focuses on this very influential and important component of operatic history. Tune in now to find out the fascinating history and importance of laments not only in opera, but also in literary history and enjoy some stunning operatic excerpts.

In this episode no.4 of Baroque Banter historical bassoon specialist, Simon Rickard joins Pinchgut Opera Artistic Director Erin Helyard to discuss historical performance practice and baroque musical instruments. Tune in now and find out what the musette culture is and what it has in common with today's hipster movement.

The third episode of Baroque Banter, The Sleeping Scene discusses the depictions of sleep in music. Erin is joined by guest Laura Vaughan to talk about these somnolent, languid and calming musical scenes.

Pinchgut Opera Artistic Director Erin Helyard in conversation with director Chas Rader-Shieber.

Episode 1 "The Incantation Scene" with guest Celeste Lazarenko This episode will focus on a very famous scene from one of Erin Helyard's very favourite operas. It is the incantation scene sung by Medea from Cavalli’s Giasone, with a wonderful libretto by Cicognini. It was very famous and became a model for composers and librettists for over a century. Erin will explain some of the features of the...