This one-off, hour-long concert in Melbourne Recital Centre’s smaller space probably passed nearly everyone in the city by, but if the warm applause at its conclusion is any indication, those who did fill the Primrose Potter Salon were very glad they were there.

Over the course of an hour, we had the rare pleasure of hearing early Italian Baroque works that are obscure to all but the period’s devotees, performed by three outstanding early-music specialists.

Melbourne’s Ensemble 642 (a name inspired by the historical numbering system used by basso continuo players) comprises harpist Hannah Lane and Nicholas Pollock, who plays lutes, Baroque guitar and, exclusively on this occasion, theorbo. They are also members or guests of ensembles such as the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Van Diemen’s Band. For this concert they were joined by Melbourne-raised, Basel-based tenor Jacob Lawrence, who performs with European early-music ensembles such as Les Arts Florissants, and back home with Pinchgut Opera.

Nicholas Pollock, Jacob Lawrence and Hannah Lane. Photo supplied.

Between Earth and Sky featured secular and sacred music of the early 17th century, or thereabouts. Most of the 12 short works were presented in a...