Musica Viva is back On Stage And Online

Erin Helyard, hand-picks his favourite artistic collaborators, and curates his own program of early-music repertoire creating a treasure-trove
of Baroque pieces, performed by Australia’s leading musicians  in two concerts as a part of Musica Viva’s return to the stage for Reconnect: Sydney. For those who would prefer to enjoy Musica Viva’s return to the stage from the comfort of their own home, the 16 November performance will be live streamed as Musica Viva Reconnect: Online concert.

Musica Viva’s Artistic Director Paul Kildea recalls the ideas for these performances began when conversing with Helyard, Kildea wanted to give Helyard the freedom to present gems from the early-music repertoire that are rarely given the chance to shine. Also starring in the program is  baritone David Greco, who’s enjoyed a brilliant creative friendship with Helyard, most recently heard on their Aria-nominated recording of Schubert’s Die Schöne Müllerin.

Kildea suggested the program incorporate works that would also feature David. The accompanying ensemble also includes close musical colleagues, with David’s brother, the violinist Matt Greco, also joining them on stage. For the last decade, Matt has worked as a soloist, concert master and core member of some of the leading period instrument ensembles. Together with Anton Baba (viola da gamba), Hannah Lane (harp) and Rafael Fonte (violin), they’ll perform music by Bach, Handel and their musical forefathers.

‘This is a luscious program of baroque masterpieces from composers writing at the height of their powers.’ says Helyard. ‘This program really outlines the splendour of German music at the time.’ When pressed to name a favourite piece, Helyard says, ‘For me Buxtehude’s Cantata is the highlight—but that’s because I love chaconnes! They are a cool sequence of chords that you can endlessly riff over.’

For further details and bookings

The performers: David Greco baritone/ Erin Helyard harpsichord / organ/ Matt Greco violin/ Rafael Font violin/ Hannah Lane
Hannah Lane harp/ Anton Baba viola da gamba/ *Erin Helyard appears courtesy of Pinchgut Opera

The programme: TUNDER Canzona in G major/ SCHMELZER Sonata pastorale à 3/ BUXTEHUDE Quaemadmodum/ JS BACH O Wunder, das ein Herz/ HANDEL Adagio from Sinfonia in B-flat major, HWV 339/ BIBER Nisi Dominus/ KRIEGER Fantasia in C major/ SCHMELZER Variations on La bella pastora/ BRUHNS De Profundis