Michael Lowe
Lecture: Dowland's Lutes
Michael Lowe, a world-famous luthier with a lifetime of experience building every kind of lute, explores the question of Dowland's lutes.
From its arrival in England in the 13th century, the lute underwent technical developments unmatched by those of perhaps any other instrument, and that was the case during Dowland's lifetime in particular. In his youth he would have played a lute of only 6 courses or pairs of strings; by the time he died, it commonly had 10 pairs of strings, a long second neck and pegbox, and some experimental tunings. So what instruments did Dowland play?
From its arrival in England in the 13th century, the lute underwent technical developments unmatched by those of perhaps any other instrument, and that was the case during Dowland's lifetime in particular. In his youth he would have played a lute of only 6 courses or pairs of strings; by the time he died, it commonly had 10 pairs of strings, a long second neck and pegbox, and some experimental tunings. So what instruments did Dowland play?
Dowland 400 Festival
Thu, 23 Jul 2026
The Octagon Chapel, Norwich
4:00pm
£5
Full Event Details
Michael Lowe, a world-famous luthier with a lifetime of experience building every kind of lute, explores the question of Dowland's lutes.
From its arrival in England in the 13th century, the lute underwent technical developments unmatched by those of perhaps any other instrument, and that was the case during Dowland's lifetime in particular. In his youth he would have played a lute of only 6 courses or pairs of strings; by the time he died, it commonly had 10 pairs of strings, a long second neck and pegbox, and some experimental tunings. So what instruments did Dowland play?
Venue Details & Map
Location
The Octagon Chapel, Norwich
21 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1BN