It’s 400 years since the death of John Dowland, the revered English composer, lutenist, singer (and spy). Clive Paget talks with British countertenor Iestyn Davies as he traces Dowland’s career, which was stymied by his association with English papists.

Left: A portrait thought to be composer John Dowland. Image © Album/Alamy Right: John Dowland’s signature on one of his manuscripts. Image © Lebrecht Music & Arts/Alamy

From William Byrd to Thomas Tallis, Elizabethan England was a hotbed of musical creativity and artistic innovation. Few composers, however, have appealed to the modern imagination quite like John Dowland. Four hundred years after his death, the lutenist, spy – yes, really – and undisputed master of the art of melancholy continues to win hearts and minds thanks...