Our school community is saddened to hear of the death of Old Elean and former Ely Cathedral Chorister, James Bowman CBE.
Bowman, the world-renowned countertenor whose career spanned opera, oratorio, contemporary music and solo recitals, died yesterday (March 27th), aged 81.
Bowman was educated at King’s Ely between 1951 and 1960. He joined the school as an Ely Cathedral Boy Chorister and was soon appointed Head Chorister. After the traditional rest when his voice changed, Bowman returned as a bass, however it was in 1959 that he gave his first public performance as a countertenor to a small school congregation in the Cathedral’s Lady Chapel. He later went to New College, Oxford as an Organ Scholar and was a member of the New College and Christ Church Choirs.
In 1965, Bowman met David Munrow and was invited to join the Early Music Consort of London. The ensemble flourished, making numerous recordings and touring extensively. After Munrow’s death in 1976, the consort disbanded but Bowman continued to work with former members, such as the harpsichordist and conductor Christopher Hogwood, and the lutenist Robert Spencer. During the late 1960s, Bowman sang regularly with the choir of Westminster Abbey.
In 1967, Bowman made his London debut at the opening concert of the Queen Elizabeth Hall. In the same year, he recorded for EMI Records Ltd, with the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge and the English Chamber Orchestra conducted by David Willcocks, the Charpentier’s “Messe de Minuit” for Christmas H.9.
For many years, Bowman was a member of the early music choral group, Pro Cantione Antiqua. In recital, he worked frequently with the lutenist, Dorothy Linell and the pianist, Andrew Plant. Bowman gave the world premieres of contemporary compositions by composers such as Geoffrey Burgon, Alan Ridout and Richard Rodney Bennett.
In 1992, the French Government honoured Bowman with admission to L’ordre des Arts et des Lettres. He was also awarded the Medal of Honour of the City of Paris, in recognition of his long-standing contribution to the musical life of the city. In the same year, Bowman received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music from the University of Newcastle. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 1997.
In 1998, Bowman was made an Honorary Fellow of New College, Oxford. In 2006, following the death of Sir Malcolm Arnold, Bowman was installed as Patron of the Northamptonshire Choral Foundation, and thus the Choirs of All Saints’ Church, Northampton. He was a Vice-President of The Bach Choir.
Each year, King’s Ely hosts the James Bowman Lecture in honour of the musician’s fascinating career. The lecture promotes the creative and liberal arts at King’s Ely, and is supported by the Old Eleans’ Club.
Bowman always spoke fondly of his time at King’s: “I cannot quite emphasise enough the profound effect this school has had on me. The school taught me the real meaning of musical discipline, for which I am eternally grateful.”