Christopher BOWEN
Born in Christchurch (NZ), Christopher studied singing at Otago University. Resident in London he performs regularly in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and in between. He 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 Murder. His diverse concert appearances include Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius (RNCM Concert Hall), Britten’s War Requiem (Christchurch Symphony Orchestra - Northey), Mozart’s Requiem (St Magnus Festival - Harth-Bedoya), Orff’s Carmina Burana (Albert Hall - Parry) and the title role in Charpentier’s Acteon.
Christopher has shown a commitment to new music over ten years in 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 sang in MacMillan’s Seven Last Words (BBC Proms).
In 2015 Christopher commissioned song cycles to be performed alongside Sings Harry at The Australia and New Zealand Literature and Arts Festival in London with pianist Lindy Tennent-Brown and repeated the performance in Christchurch New Zealand. Lyell Cresswell’s cycle Old Mick was recorded by RATTLE records in 2017 along with Snatches from Baptised Generations on the CD 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).
Christopher also works with notable early music ensembles including I Fagiolini and the Academy of Ancient Music. He has a particular talent for the story telling of evangelist roles. Recent performances have included Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with the Academy of Ancient Music and John Passion in Auckland. 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’s In Contvertendo with the Academy of Ancient Music.
