Pinchgut Opera Membra Jesu Nostri

Pinchgut Opera’s Membra Jesu Nostri is the ensemble’s first concert series for 2023.

A sublime cycle of seven cantatas composed by Dieterich Buxtehude in 1680, each cantata is a Passion meditation, contemplating the different parts of Christ’s body on the cross. The music is described as “loving: pure, balanced and deeply expressive, demonstrating an extraordinary attention to unity of conception.”

Exquisitely harmonic, yet brimming with intricate counterpoint and profound spiritual depth, Pinchgut’s presentation gathers a stellar line-up of singers who include Alexandra Oomens and Lauren Lodge-Campbell, who both return to Australia after performances in Europe with some of the world’s eminent Baroque ensembles, along with favorites Andrew O’Connor, Hannah Fraser and Louis Hurley. Joining them will be a specially selected group of expert players of the Orchestra of the Antipodes, led by Artistic Director, Erin Helyard. There is a rare opportunity to hear a chest of viols in the 6th and most moving cantata, Ad coror (To the heart) which is written for 5 violas da gambas: 1 treble, 2 tenors and 2 basses.

Julia Fredersdorff and Karina Schmitz will put down their violins and play on treble and tenor viols. Simon Martyn-Ellis (theorbo) will pick up a tenor viol while Anton Baba and Laura Vaughan remain on bass viols. Membra Jesu Nostri  is long acknowledged as one of the great sacred masterpieces, worthy of standing alongside the works of JS Bach.

As well as two performances in Sydney, there will be a performance at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Tuesday 4 April at 7pm

The performers:

Erin Helyard organ and conductor/ Alexandra Oomens and Lauren Lodge-Campbell sopranos/Hannah Frazer mezzo-soprano/ Louis Hurley tenor/ Andrew O’Connor bass/ Julia Fredersdorff violin, treble viol/ Karina Schmitz violin, tenor viol/ Hannah Lane harp/Simon Martyn-Ellis theorbo, tenor viol/ Laura Vaughan, bass viola da gamba/ Anton Baba, bass viola da gamba

Bookings  or (02) 9318 8300

Image of Erin Helyard by Robert Catto

Read about Louis Hurley, Pinchgut Opera’s inaugural Humanity Foundation Taryn Fiebig scholar.