On March 27th, 2023, English countertenor James Bowman passed away. On March 30th, April 6th and May 4th, we will be playing music Bowman recorded in his long career in 3 programmes.
Since the 1960s, James Bowman has been one of the most important and influential countertenors. He was active in opera, oratorios and modern music and gave recitals. He has made more than 130 recordings on all major record labels and with conductors such as Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Gustav Leonhardt, Christopher Hogwood, John Eliot Gardiner, Trevor Pinnock, Frans Brüggen and Robert King.
In Early Delights on March 30th, the emphasis is on passion and mourning music, sung by James Bowman. For example, we hear an altaria from Bach’s St Matthew Passion, a movement from François Couperin’s ‘Leçons de ténèbres’, Pergolesi’s ‘Salve Regina’ and the song “O solitude, my sweetest choice” by Purcell.
Broadcast: Thursday, March 30th, 2023, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
In De Tuin van Oud on 6th April we hear him in his iconic performance of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater together with Emma Kirkby, and in Vivaldi’s Stabat Mater. Bowman is accompanied in both works by the Academy of Ancient Music conducted by. Christopher Hogwood.
Broadcast: Thursday, April 6th, 2023, 8 p.m. – 9 p.m
In Documento on 4th May we take a closer look at his career.
Broadcast: Thursday, May 4th, 2023, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM (subject to change)
