Barnaby Smith, Bojan Čičić (violin), Catriona McDermid, Mary Bevan (soprano), Gavin Edwards and The Illyria Consort

How to get a Handel on lockdown life? Record a debut solo album, start a worldwide digital festival (LIVE From London) and begin a family.

Basel/Scholl-trained countertenor, conductor and Artistic Director Barnaby Smith releases his debut album on 29 October – the crowning glory of his many lockdown projects, and a legacy to leave his new son. Usually to be found directing and singing with VOCES8, conducting orchestras and choirs around the world or teaching, one of Barney’s lockdown silver linings was the space, time and inspiration to step into the studio as a soloist.

‘Handel’ features a collection of Handel’s finest solos and duets performed by leading British Baroque soloists Barnaby Smith and Mary Bevan, accompanied by an exceptional line-up of some of the UK’s finest Baroque chamber musicians. Revealing his capacity for invention, re-invention and innovation, this stellar line-up gilds each of Handel’s works with fresh dramaticism and beauty.

Recorded in lockdown in the midst of the country’s biggest Arts crisis of recent years, the joy this group of friends and colleagues lends to these tracks brings new life to key works, in part a testament to the hope Barney and his VOCES8 Foundation team gave the musical world through LIVE From London and other supportive ventures.