John Dowland: Another Retrospective

In 2026, Jupiter celebrates John Dowland on the 400th anniversary of his death. Born in 1563, the composer and lutenist left us one of the most complete repertoires for his instrument, as well as numerous lyrical pieces contained in songbooks: the Songs of Ayres.

Following the recording of Songs of Passion, an album released in September 2025 by Warner Classics and devoted in part to the composer’s passion arias, the ensemble honours him with a major programme that will include several excerpts from the songbooks and Lachrimae – compositions for viol consort – at the crossroads of poetry, lyricism and instrumental music.

It will be performed by four singers, five gambists and lutenist Thomas Dunford, for whom ‘John Dowland was the John Lennon of the 16th Century.’ The popular dimension of his compositions is thus honoured, with a desire to highlight the different characters of music that is at once joyful, playful, mysterious, introspective, meditative and even amorous...

Programme:
John Dowland Come again, sweet love doth now invite
Semper Dowland semper dolens
Go, crystal tears
The King of Denmark’s Galliard
Can she excuse my wrongs
Lachrimae Antiquae
Sorrow, stay, lend true repentant tears
The Earl of Essex Galliard
In darkness let me dwell
Captain Digorie Piper’s Galliard
I saw my Lady weep
Mr George Whitehead his Almand
Flow, my tears
The Frog Galliard
Now, O now I needs must part

Performers:
Jupiter Ensemble
Lea Desandre mezzo-soprano
Hugh Cutting countertenor
Thomas Hobbs tenor
Florian Störtz bass
Myriam Rignol viola da gamba
Clémence Schlitz viola da gamba
Mathilde Vialle viola da gamba
Étienne Floutier viola da gamba
Nick Milne viola da gamba
Thomas Dunford artistic director, lute