Get there early and get in line. O'Dette has collaborated with such luminaries of early music as Gustav Leonhardt, Nikolaus Hatnoncourt and Christopher Hogwood. Dowland may be famous for his solo songs with lute accompaniment which flourished in England after the turn of the 17th century. Thanks to Paul O'Dette, we now have recordings of the complete Dowland available to us as well. A word or two about the lute for those interested.
Lutes are suprisingly light to modern guitarist, and string tension feels low.
The sound is silvery and delicate with a rounded presence which, in good hands, commands attention by virtue of its sheat beauty. The predecessor of the lute is the Oud which was introduced to Europe through Spain and Sicily by the Moors and Saracens. In the renaissance the lute was the dominant instrument in Europe. Over time it would evolve to take many forms as it would also yield center stage to the violin and harpsichord in the 17th century. Paul O'dette will provide a marvelous December afternoon's concert for all those lucky enough to make it.