Eternal Light from Pinchgut Opera is an exquisite collection of sacred and secular music from 16th and 17th century Europe. Playing the chamber organ, Artistic Director Erin Helyard leads an ensemble of 20 performers comprising Cantillation’s soloists and chorus with period instrumentalists, the Orchestra of the Antipodes led by Julia Fredersdorff. This is music of ravishing beauty performed with flair.

Pinchgut Opera: Eternal Light. Photo © Anna Kucera

Inspired by Gregorio Allegris’ setting of Psalm 51, Miserere mei, Deus, Helyard has gathered music surrounding this enigmatic gem. Helyard returns to the origins of the Miserere, before transcription errors are thought to have introduced those infamous floated high Cs. In this task, he has enlisted the talents of Basel-based Australian tenor Jacob Lawrence, who is forging a stellar career in Europe as a singer and expert in 17th century ornamentation. Pinchgut fans will remember Lawrence in the role of King Anastassio in last year’s production of Giustino.

Lawrence has applied his craft, using what is known about the style of the music of the Sistine Chapel in 1638, to construct a version of what the Miserere might have sounded like. The...