James Bowman is widely acclaimed as one of the twentieth century’s greatest countertenors. His influence, however has been greater than that of simply being a fine singer and musician. In the remarkable growth area of late twentieth-century music-making that is ‘historically-aware’ performance, James has been one of the enduring pillars. This disc gathers together twenty tracks from recordings he has made with The King’s Consort for Hyperion, adds one new aria recorded especially for this compilation (‘Erbarme dich’ from Bach’s St Matthew Passion) and celebrates one of Britain’s most outstanding, and best-loved, musical giants.