19 Oct Blog post: John Dowland was the Paul McCartney of the 1600s

Les Délices’ next concerts celebrate the legacy of English songwriter and lutenist John Dowland (ca. 1563-1626)

Long before radio and vinyl, (let alone streaming algorithms…) Englishman John Dowland (ca. 1562-1626) wrote and performed songs that beguiled a queen and transfixed a continent. Seeking a modern parallel to help our audience understand the impact of Dowland’s music and celebrity, we’ve settled on Sir Paul McCartney of the Beatles. At first glance, an Elizabethan lute virtuoso in a ruff and a Beatle sporting a mop-top might seem worlds apart. But by the time you finish reading this email, we think you’ll agree that Dowland and McCartney were cut from the same cloth…

“Flow, My Tears” Was the 17th-Century’s “Yesterday”

If you were alive in 1600, you couldn’t escape Dowland’s mega-hit, “Flow, my tears” (originally composed as the lute instrumental Lachrimae).

Much like McCartney’s “Yesterday“—famously one of the most covered pop songs in history—”Flow, My Tears” became a cultural juggernaut. Every musician and hobbyist in Europe wanted to perform it. Composers from England to Italy wrote variations and homage pieces based on its iconic, descending four-note opening line. This doleful love song was the 16th century’s biggest hit and Dowland really leaned into it…

Cultivating an Image; the Power of Celebrity and the Cult of Personality

No band in rock history was more adept at creating and shifting their public image than the Beatles. From their clean-cut matching suits of the early days through their folk and psychedelic eras, their look constantly evolved but their sound remained anchored by incredible songwriting of McCartney and John Lennon. Dowland also intuitively knew the value of crafting a public persona that matched the music he produced. Especially following the world-wide success of “Flow My Tears”, Dowland leaned into being the “brooding artist” type. He even adopted the personal motto “Semper Dowland, semper dolens” (“Always Dowland, always grieving”).

Yet for every heartbreaking, room-silencing masterpiece like “In Darkness Let Me Dwell,” Dowland could flip the script and deliver spirited, upbeat hits like “Come Again, Sweet Love Doth Now Invite” or “Can She Excuse My Wrongs.” Just as McCartney contributed to both “Eleanor Rigby” and “Can’t Buy Me Love”, Dowland knew how to balance out the emotional depth with catchy, fun songs. At Time Stands Still, you’ll hear a wide range of music by Dowland. 

Join Us in Celebrating 400 Years of Dowland!

To celebrate the 400th anniversary of this songwriting legend, Les Délices invites you to Time Stands Still, a special concert event honoring Dowland, also featuring timeless classics by his contemporaries Henry Purcell, John Blow, and Thomas Morley. Soprano Elena Mullins Bailey and special guest lutenist Orí Harmlein are joined by Debra Nagy (recorders) and Rebecca Landell (viola da gamba) for this intimate, candlelit show.

Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Trinity Cathedral: 2230 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH

Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 4:00 pm
***A pre-concert talk will begin at 3:15 pm***
West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church: 20401 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River, OH

Want to learn more about this special program? Check out the program notes here and view the concert’s press release here! See you at the show!