Dowland’s Foundry

“Dowland’s Foundry… encapsulates what Dowland calls the consent of speaking harmony.”

Emma Kirkby

John Dowland, writing in 1597, opens the very first of his published songs with a striking metaphor. Addressing his ‘unquiet thoughts’, he invites us to view his tongue as a kind of forge, transforming his mouth into a mint to ‘coin’ his thoughts into words.

400 years since his death, we have taken Dowland at his word: by extension, all the elements of a performance – voices, strings, scores – can be viewed as a kind of workshop, realising unquiet thoughts into the raw stuff of music: Dowland’s Foundry.

Dowland’s Foundry was set up in 2024 by five confirmed colleagues of the early music scene, and builds on years of experience in the world of lute song. This exquisite musical genre, which flourished in the English Golden Age, sees poetry taken up by multiple voices into a live musical discussion,

Designed for domestic enjoyment, lute-song is truly a genre for multiple voices – friendly but individual – tenuously harmonised by the lute in a dynamic and conflict riven process. It’s a family argument, and a perfect vehicle for the mintings of Dowland’s perceptive, loving and irreverent genius.

Since forming, Dowland’s Foundry have performed throughout the UK to great acclaim. The ensemble is known for vibrant and subtle performances, beautiful programming and an intimate understanding of the genre; amongst its appearances are collaborations with award-winning actor Will Keen and performances from lute-song originals at Oxford University.

The Foundry were honoured to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Dowland’s burial in February 2026 by performing at a memorial service in his church, and on BBC Radio 3. In 2027 they are embarking on an ambitious recording project.

Dowland’s Foundry:

Sam Brown lute
Gwendolen Martin soprano
Clemmie Franks alto 
Daniel Thomson tenor 
Timothy Dickinson bass