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Christopher Bowen sings contemporary opera role of Rawley Beanes

About

Christopher Bowen is a lyric tenor known for his versatility and communicative ability. An accomplished musician; he enjoys collaborations and connecting with audiences.

Christopher Bowen managed this with unwavering concentration, succeeding in riveting the audience's attention throughout the work. His vocal control was impressive, and he clearly understood the importance of his role in defining the structure of the work and in creating a convincing sense of forward progression. Kelvin Leslie - Congleton Chronicle 14/4/2016 

 

Biography
 

Christopher Bowen has performed a broad array of music, from the role of Daniel in the 12th Century Play of Daniel to creating the role of Rawley Beaunes in Alasdair Nicolson’s The Iris MurderHis diverse concert appearances include Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius (RNCM Concert Hall), Britten’s War Requiem (Airforce Museum of New Zealand), Mozart’s Requiem (St Magnus Festival - Norwegian Radio Orchestra), Orff’s Carmina Burana (Albert Hall) and the title role in Charpentier’s Acteon.

Christopher's first love is for the baroque and he has an extensive repertoire of Bach and Handel cantatas and oratorios.  He has a particular talent for the story telling of evangelist roles.  Recent performances have included the Christmas Oratorio on Radio 3 and Johannes Passion Oxford both with the Academy of Ancient Music. He was the tenor evangelist in the Radio 3 broadcast of Schütz's Weihnachtshistorie, in the UK premiere of the Johannespassion by Gottfried Homilius, and in a “Patchwork Passion” at the BBC Proms. French baroque appearances include Couperin Petit Motets with the Instruments of Time and Truth and Rameau In Contvertendo with the Academy of Ancient Music. He recorded Purcell's Great Parent, Hail with the Irish Baroque Orchestra.

Christopher has shown a commitment to new music having sung over ten years with the BBC Singers and in performance with groups such as The Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Theatre of Voices and the Hebrides Ensemble. He was Attis in Northcote’s Hymn to Cybele (BBC Proms), the Black Monk in Maxwell Davies’ Taverner (BBCSSO) and the man in the linen cloth in Grier's The Passion of Jesus of Nazareth (Kings College Cambridge).

Christopher recently recorded songcycles by Scottish New Zealand composer Lyell Cresswell for The Art of Black and White. Other CD appearances include the world premiere recording of Vaughan Williams’ A Cambridge Mass (New Queens Hall Orchestra - Tongue), Delius’ Song of the High Hills (BBCSO - Davis), The Youngest Son in Weir’s The Vanishing Bridegroom (BBCSO - Brabbins) and a Poet in Janáček’s The Travels of Mr Broucek (BBCSO -  Bělohlávek).

"What a pleasure it is listening to tenor Christopher Bowen"

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