‘The Radiant Voice.’ And‚ it might be added‚ the exquisite art. Come to that‚ the delectable disc might equally well be introduced in terms such as ‘Barbara Bonney and friends’‚ for she has a strong supporting cast of singers‚ pianists and conductors. Then‚ too‚ there is the music itself‚ for whoever is responsible for the programme has made a most excellent selection. Arranged chronologically‚ it starts with John Dowland and ends with André Previn‚ whose Vocalise for voice‚ cello and piano provides a thoughtful‚ sensitively chosen final number. In between we have some delightful Bach and Mozart‚ with Lieder by Schumann and Strauss‚ songs by Grieg and Sibelius‚ and‚ among other items‚ two excerpts from opera. In Richard Wigmore’s appreciative essay for the booklet the soprano is quoted as defining herself as ‘a Lieder singer who happens to do opera’. She also says that the Mediterranean way of life and its art are not really for her: so we must just be grateful that she recorded L’elisir d’amore‚ the duet from which is not the least of the pleasures here on offer. The Rosenkavalier duet‚ of course‚ is ‘[wie] himmlisch’ indeed‚ Bonney’s Sophie heard in ideal partnership with Susan Graham as Octavian. This is a new recording and‚ we must hope‚ the prelude to more. The earliest recordings – ‘Solveig’s Song’ and Susanna’s ‘Deh‚ vieni’ – come from 1988. Very slightly‚ these and others from the early 1990s are perceptibly more youthful in sound‚ and among the latest (the Sibelius songs for instance) it is possible to identify an added depth and fullness. But most remarkable is the consistency‚ the consistency too of pleasure given throughout the anthology: a timely tribute to one of the most delightful singers now before the public.