The opening concert, focusing on cantatas of JS Bach and his elder contemporary Buxtehude, in St. Patrick's Cathedral, was performed by the Melbourne Baroque Orchestra, with four vocal soloists. Conductor Gary Ekkel shaped a stylish performance, creating a madrigal effect with one voice per part.

Quin Thomson (soprano), Amelia Jones (mezzosoprano), Christopher Roache (tenor) and Oliver Mann (bass) shared the honours in various combinations in Bach's Wedding Cantata and Christ lag in Todesbanden.

Thomson's sublime performance of the Klaglied from Buxtehude's Fried-und freudenreiche Hinfarht was a standout effort.

In St. Paul's Church at Clunes, harpist Hanna Lane and organist David Macfarlane delivered a fascinating program of 16th and 17th century music from western Europe.

Drawing on works of Frescobaldi, Pachelbel , Domenico Scarlatti and lesser known composers, the variety of styles painted a colourful portrait with mostly lyrical pieces. Espanoletas by Riuz de Ribayaz was a pleasant discovery.

Chamber Trio Latitude 37, with guest Simon Rickard playing musette, performed a very fine French program in the Neill Street Uniting Church. Boismortier and Rameau made up most of the concert with the exotic sounding musette represented by the former. The ensemble work was precise and purposeful.

Above all, the sense of enjoyment and fun shone through. The Marche des Scythes, a virtuoso solo harpsichord piece by Pancrace Royer, as exhilarating and great fun, summing up much of this concert.