German soprano Monika Mauch and English luntenist Nigel North tackle songs from a Musical Banquet - Robert Dowland's 17th Century anthology of unique lute songs from England, France, Italy, and Spain. Monika Mauch's and Nigel North's subtle recording of this important cross section of Renaissance European song offers a welcome addition to the ECM 17th century discography, which recently gave US the second volume of John Potter's Dowland project. The CD-package includes 24-page illustrated booklet with an essay by Nigel North who has was professor for lute and early music at Guildhall School in London, before accepting his current posts at the Early Music Institute at Bloomington/Indiana (USA) and at the Royal conservatory Den Haag.