While the city ruggs up for a chilly winter solstice, Sydney Symphony regulars are treated to an exquisite hour of wine and music provided by eight of the orchestra’s players for the latest in the Cocktail Hour series.

Hosted by ABC radio presenter and harpist Genevieve Lang, the program features three delectable chamber works by a trio of impressionist composers – Debussy, Ravel and Turina – and the Opera House’s intimate Utzon Room proves the ideal setting.

Debussy composed his Sonata for flute, viola and harp in 1915 when he was already ill with the colon cancer that would eventually kill him. He had planned to write six sonatas for varying combinations of instruments but only completed three, this one and those for cello and piano and violin and piano, before he died.

Emma Sholl’s rich and golden flute tone is contrasted by the husky, earthy sound of Sandro Costantino’s viola and the magical layers of Louisic Dulbecco’s harp – lustrous and shimmering one moment, firing off darting and emphatic chords the next.

Images of Tyrone Power preparing for his final bullfight in Blood And Sand aside, the listener imagines the peace of the chapel and the distant carnival gaiety of the...