The programme, entitled Not Just Dowland sets the father of English song alongside his contemporary Robert Johnson, who notably composed for the plays of Shakespeare, and the Italians Monteverdi, Grandi, Piccinini, Caccini and Merula. There are also instrumental items by Johnson, Ferrabosco, Rosseter and Kabsberger.

Everything was so perfect, the evening seemed to pass in a flash, was The Independents verdict on the Wigmore Hall recital in December 2008 by soprano Carolyn Sampson and lutenist Matthew Wadsworth. The soprano Carolyn Sampson is blessed with a lovely voice and the lutenist Matthew Wadsworth really is a class apart among exponents of this increasingly popular musical instrument.
This fantastic live recording from the Wigmore Hall comes highly recommended.
anon.: Galliarda
Caccini, G: Amarilli mia bella
Dowland: Fortune my foe
Can she excuse my wrongs? (First Booke of Songes, 1597)
In darkness let me dwell
Ferrabosco, A I: Pavan IV
Grandi: O quam tu pulchra es
Johnson, R: Away delights
Oh, let us howl
Care-charming sleep
Pavan in C minor
Have you seen the bright lily grow?
encore
Kapsberger: Kapsberger
Toccata arpeggiata (1604)
Merula: Canzonetta spirituale sopra alla nanna 'Hor ch' il tempo di dormire'
Monteverdi: Quel sguardo sdegnosetto
Piccinini: Toccata XIII
Rosseter: Prelude