Invitation to participate in Lutesong Consort's Dowland Anniversary Festival Feb 2026
Jens Eggers
Dowland Anniversary Festival
Next year marks the 400th anniversary of the death of songwriter and lutenist John Dowland (1563-1626). To celebrate his work as the father of the lute song genre, the early music ensemble Lutesong Consort (www.lutesong.co.za) will be hosting a Dowland Anniversary Festival at St Andrews Presbyterian Church, De Waterkant, Cape Town in February 2026.
We would like to invite singers to participate in the festival by attending a workshop and masterclasses with Lutesong Consort founders Lente Louw and Uwe Grosser. Participants will also perform in a public concert.
FESTIVAL DATES:
13 and 14 February (daytime - exact schedule to be published later)
Event 1: Lecture/workshop and masterclasses with Lutesong Consort
After an orientation workshop/lecture recital on the performance practice of Dowland's lute songs, singers will receive individual masterclasses on the songs in both their solo and ensemble format. These masterclasses will be open to the public.
20 February 19:00
Event 2: Diving into Dowland - a concert of Dowland’s greatest hits with selected masterclass participants
Selected masterclass participants will present both solo and four-part songs, accompanied by lute and viola da gamba.
21 February 18:00
Event 3: From Heart to Tongue – Dowland rarities performed by the Lutesong Consort
The masterclass participants will receive free entrance to this concert and be invited to perform Dowland's most iconic lute song, "Flow my tears", alongside the Lutesong Consort (Elsabé Richter, Lente Louw, Willem Bester, Keaton Manwaring (voices), Rosamund Roth, Colleen Oxtoby (bass viols) and Uwe Grosser (lute)).
HOW TO ENTER:
· Entries are open to high school solo singers, university music students, adult voice students, professional freelance singers and any other confident soloists (even if you normally sing in a choir). No previous experience of singing Dowland's lute songs is required. Closing date for applications is 23 January 2026. A maximum of 20 singers will be selected.
· Entry fee: R 200. All participants will become honorary Lutesong members for 2026. During this year they will be granted access to all dress rehearsals and may attend all Lutesong Consort concerts for R50.
· Please send an email to lent...@gmail.com with a short CV (one paragraph) and proof of payment attached. Hereafter, please Whatsapp an unedited audio clip of yourself singing verse 1 of Dowland’s “Awake sweet love” a capella in any key that suits your voice to 0842775070. The sheet music is attached herewith.
· Participants selected for the masterclasses will receive three Dowland songs to prepare: one solo song, one ensemble song and an arrangement of “Flow my tears”. Songs for the masterclasses and the "Diving into Dowland" concert need to be memorised.
· NB: This project also serves as an audition platform for singers who wish to become permanent members of the Lutesong Consort.
More information on the festival, as well as booking details for all events, will be made available early in January 2026. Follow us on social media and join our mailing list by visiting www.lutesong.co.za.
For any further information, please email lent...@gmail.com.
KINDLY FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO SINGERS WITHIN YOUR OWN NETWORK.
We look forward to hearing from you!
