This Friday, Barnaby Smith - countertenor and Artistic Director of the renowned VOCES8 ensemble - releases his debut solo album, a collection of Handel arias and duets.

Recorded with the Illyria Consort, Smith is joined for a number of tracks by soprano Mary Bevan - but in the preview video below he sings solo, in one of Handel's most beloved arias, taken from the opera Serse, 'Ombra mai fù'.

'Handel' will be available on the VOCES8 Records from October 29 - and you can sample it via Apple Music below. More details at Barnaby Smith's website.