A flourish of tambourines and the lights go out. A vibrant Spanish beat emerges from the darkness as the musicians of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra assemble on a platform lining the back of the stage. From the centre of the stage sprouts a tall pole, reaching up the ceiling of the City Recital Hall and around this move the performers of Brisbane-based contemporary circus troupe Circa, who gather in a languidly athletic imitation of dancers at a ball – or barn dance – ABO director Paul Dyer drumming enthusiastically against the casing of his harpsichord.

^{Circa’s Billie Wilson-Coffey and Rowan Heydon-White with soprano Natasha Wilson and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra. Photos © Steven Godbee}

New Zealand soprano Natasha Wilson makes her Australian debut, bring a clear-toned subtlety to Tarquino Merula’s aria Su la cetra amorosa, her performance slightly upstaged by the feats of the circus performers, particularly a hair-raising see-saw balancing act between Billie Wilson-Coffey and Rowan Heydon-White.

^{Circa’s Connor Neall}

The Brandenburg’s other special guest is Italian Baroque guitarist Stefano Maiorana, who leads a Fandango by...