Music by Handel and Vivaldi anchor the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra’s Baroque Kaleidoscope program, with Telemann, Albinoni and Pergolesi making up the coterie of Baroque composers whose music is performed this evening.

It is also an opportunity for some of the ABO’s core musicians to step out and showcase their soloistic skills.

Australian Brandenburg Orchestra: Baroque Kaleidoscope. Photo © Keith Saunders

Paul Dyer is at the harpsichord directing the ensemble with soloists, Concertmaster Shaun Lee-Chen and Ben Dollman playing Baroque violins, Melissa Farrow playing Baroque flute and Adam Masters and Kailen Cresp playing Baroque oboe.

The ABO is already well into its Sydney season but with the Melbourne season yet to begin, this is a refreshing change to review a performance that is ‘run-in’, with the performers settled into their roles, rather than experiencing the high tension of an opening night.

Dyer has drawn on the power of two in programming Baroque Kaleidoscope selecting music which highlights pairs of the same or different instruments and it is a winning formula.

The three-movement Sinfonia from Vivaldi’s opera Il Giustino RV 717 opens with a tempestuous Allegro full of light and shade easing to a gentle stroll...