Out of Melancholy – Lute songs of John Dowland and English Madrigals

Hardly another composer expressed melancholy as artfully as John Dowland (1563–1626), who defined an era with his *First Booke of Songs* (1597). To mark the 400th anniversary of his death, this program is dedicated to his lute songs: music full of intensity, quiet longing, beauty, and subtle vocal expression. His works will be performed solo and in polyphonic settings, richly accompanied by lute, viola da gamba, and recorder, and complemented by selected songs of Thomas Campion as well as madrigals from *The Triumphs of Oriana* (1601)—a musical tribute to Elizabeth I. Some of the more intimate pieces will be performed around a table in the spirit of historical practice, partly in the original English pronunciation.

Out of Melancholy thus showcases various facets of the polyphonic soundscape of the English Renaissance.

About versum vocale

‘versum vocale is an a cappella ensemble for early music based in Munich, led by singer and lutenist Joel Frederiksen. With a flexible lineup of six to twelve passionate singers, the ensemble strives for a high standard of sound and is primarily dedicated to polyphonic Renaissance music.

Soprano | Mezzo Malin Eiband, Ann-Christin Gritto, Isabel Renz

Alto Linda Oppermann

Tenor Friedrich Esch

Bass Florian Eggers, Robert Schmidt

WITH

Tatiana Flickinger, recorder

Georg Rast, lute

Sebastian von Bomhard, viola da gamba

27. Juni 2026, 20 Uhr
St. Gangolf, St.-Gangwolf-Str. 15, 86944 Unterdießen

28. Juni 2026, 19 Uhr
Jugendkirche, Preysingstraße 85, 81667 München

26. Juli 2026, 19 Uhr
Johanneskirche, Wolfstraße 11, 82140 Olching