sydney events, events sydney, city recital hall, bach, opera, baroque opera, sydney opera, harpsichord, sydney concert, concert
An image of a white lily with a pin through a petal

"This is one of the greatest monuments of Western art."

Erin Helyard

Step into a world of intricate beauty and sublime artistry as Erin Helyard performs Bach’s Goldberg Variations.
This monumental work, composed to soothe and enchant, offers a meditative journey through thirty variations on a single, elegant aria. It remains a testament to Bach’s musical genius and continues to enthrall audiences with its profound creativity.
Pinchgut’s first event in the 2025 season is a rare opportunity to hear Bach’s beloved music on the harpsichord, the instrument it was originally composed for, performed by Australia’s preeminent harpsichord specialist, Pinchgut’s celebrated Artistic Director, Erin Helyard.
Experience the virtuosity and emotional depth of Bach’s music as Erin brings each variation to life with his exceptional skill and comprehensive understanding of Baroque performance.
Join us for an intimate encounter with one of classical music’s most cherished compositions, and let the Goldberg Variations envelop you in serenity and uplifting beauty.
Goldberg Variations
by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Erin Helyard

Running time: 75 minutes, no interval

City Recital Hall, Sydney
Saturday 1 March, 2pm
Sunday 2 March, 5pm

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Australia's preeminent Harpsichordist

"Pinchgut’s 2025 season begins with one of the most famous arias in music: and yet there are no words, and no voice. It is the opening aria of the Goldberg Variations, or, in its original formulation, an ‘aria with diverse variations for a harpsichord with two manuals’. Although the Goldbergs are heard sporadically in Australia on the piano, it is a rare occasion indeed to hear them on a harpsichord, the instrument Bach intended. This is one of the greatest monuments of Western art, and a towering testament to the genius and virtuosity of Bach. Constructed artfully as a series of alternating canons and hand-crossing gymnastics of increasing complexity and beauty,  it combines virtuosity and expression with a compositional finesse that was really only equalled by Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations. I’m excited to present the Goldbergs in public in the glorious acoustic of the City Recital Hall on a beautiful two-manual harpsichord handcrafted by Australian master-builder Carey Beebe."

Erin Helyard, harpsichordist
and Artistic Director.

A portrait photo of Erin Helyard in a black suit.
Erin Helyard 
A wooden harpsichord made by Carey bebe
The inside of a harpsichord painted with flowers, and strings
Watch and listen to Jean Rondeau performing Bach's Goldberg Variations
J.S Bach - composer
A portrait painting of composer J.S. Bach wearing a seventeenth century wig




Book tickets
Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach
performed by Erin Helyard
City Recital Hall, Sydney 

Sat 1 Mar, 2pm

Sun 2 Mar, 5pm


We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we work and perform, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation – the first storytellers and singers of songs.
We pay our respects to their elders past and present.


CONTACT

  PO Box 291, Strawberry Hills, NSW, 2012, Australia
Ticketing and Customer Service 02 9037 3444 
ticketing@pinchgutopera.com.au
 info@pinchgutopera.com.au
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