Who was James Bowman? Leading English countertenor dies at age 81

James Bowman was an English countertenor whose career spanned opera, oratorio, contemporary music, and solo recitals. He was reported dead on Monday, March 27, 2023.  His cause of death has not been revealed yet.

He began his musical life as a boy chorister at Ely Cathedral and later went on to sing countertenor at Oxford’s New College and Christ Church Choirs.

While he was still in school, Bowman auditioned for Benjamin Britten’s English Opera Group and was cast as Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where he composed a part with Alfred Deller’s voice in mind. He went on to make the role his own.

Bowman was at the forefront of the explosion of interest in Early Music and Baroque period practice in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s.

James Bowman age at the time of death

How old was James Bowman when he died? What was James Bowman’s age at the time of death? James Bowman was 81 years old when he died.