Lute Music from the Jacobean Age: Dowland and his Contemporaries
St Paul's Church, St Paul's Hill, Winchester SO22 5AB
3.30pm
£17.50
Organiser: Wessex Concerts
In this afternoon recital, lutenist Lynda Sayce explores the musical world of the Jacobean court as it is revealed in two manuscripts of lute pieces compiled by or for women of the time. While little is known of the mysterious ‘Margaret L.’ in whose name an extensive manuscript collection of lute music survives, Margaret Board, named on the title page of ‘Her Booke’ dating from1615-1620, is well documented as a pupil of England’s most famous lutenist, John Dowland. Both manuscripts have interesting stories, and together they represent a spectacular cross section of the ‘Golden Age’ of English lute music by court composers including Dowland, John and Robert Johnson, Anthony Holborne and John Sturt among others. They provide a range of fascinating insights into the extent of women players’ accomplishment, the musical fashions of the day, the sound world of Jacobean court masques and London playhouses, and popular ballads, songs and dances. Tea and cake will be served after the concert. Lynda Sayce is one of the UK’s foremost lutenists, with over 100 recordings to her name, and an international reputation. She is principal lutenist with La Serenissima, The King’s Consort, and Ex Cathedra, directs her own lute ensemble Chordophony, and works regularly with period instrument ensembles including Le Concert d’Astrée and the Dunedin Consort, orchestras including the Britten Sinfonia and the Berlin Philharmonic, and most of the opera companies in the UK. Alongside her performing career, Lynda is widely respected as a scholar of lute music. She holds a Ph.D for her work on the theorbo, and her extensive work digitizing early music manuscripts has made a substantial contribution to the accessibility of historical sources for this unique repertoire.