James Bowman was given top billing at Fiori Musicali’s concert last Friday — understandably so, as he has become the most revered countertenor of his generation and now, with his 70th birthday imminent, he still commands attention with his energetic, vibrant delivery. With Bowman, it is not just about the voice; his whole body comes into play, making for a remarkably expressive and compelling performance, as he amply demonstrated in numbers such as Ogni Indugio from Handel’s opera Rinaldo and the Agnus Dei from Bach’s B Minor Mass. Admittedly, there were occasions where he appeared over-reliant on his score, and the ends of some of his phrases seemed to disappear into its pages; but overall he gave an enjoyable, committed performance, featuring his customary witty commentary.

He was joined for some numbers by soprano Charlotte Newstead, who delighted with her clarity and warmth of tone, and whose air of calm confidence was the perfect complement to Bowman’s more theatrical style. The pair impressed most in Handel’s supremely difficult No, di voi, about which Bowman joked: “I’ll probably go wrong, and she’ll get it right!” Other highlights included Purcell’s Lost is my quiet and Pur ti miro from Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea.

Elsewhere, violinist Kerstin Linder-Dewan dazzled with her virtuosic technique, showcased in a selection of the Mystery Sonatas by leading 17th-century violinist and composer Biber. Sonata No.10, The Crucifixion of Jesus, was particularly notable for some impressive double stopping, while the Passacaglia from The Guardian Angel was mesmerising in its intensity.

Continuo accompanied was provided with unobtrusive proficiency by Sally Mears (cello) and Fiori Musicali director Penelope Rapson (harpsichord).

The concert was given in aid of Women in Need in Jinja, the second largest town in Uganda, to protect them from domestic violence and give them hope for the future with vocational training. Find out more at their website (www.win-jinja.co.uk).