Sydney-based the Marais Project is 25 years old this year. Perth-based HIP Company is just five. But true style never goes out of fashion, and both early music bands are decidedly hip in their own way, dedicated to the music of the past yet ever evolving as their knowledge and skills accumulate.

What a wonderful idea, then, to bring these two ensembles together for three concerts – in Sydney, at Canowindra’s Baroquefest and here in Perth – to celebrate the music of the French Baroque as exemplified by viola da gamba virtuosi and composers Marin Marais and his teacher, Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe, and others.

HIP Company and the Marais Project, Government House Ballroom, Perth. Photo © Tallulah Chong

Transforming Antoine Boёsset’s air de cour Objet le plus beau into a kind of lute processional is a delicate and beautiful way to both open the concert, introducing each performer as they take their place on stage and the Marais Project’s lutenist, Tommie Andresson, plays while walking slowly from the back of the hall to the front.

There is much to enjoy...