Helen.

Yes, Sting's Labyrinth. Whenever I took my lute to a folk club I'd always be met with "What's that?" or "What type of guitar is that?" When Sting's Dowland album came out, I was met instead with, "Are you trying to be like Sting?" Aaaggghhhh!

Not playing the lute is probably wise, Helen! It's the most beautiful instrument ever devised (in my opinion) and is so rewarding to play, but it's soooo difficult to get to grips with! So there's always that push and pull factor. I heard an interview with Nigel Kennedy the other morning where he said how much mingled joy and frustration the fiddle has bought him so, as therapy, every few years he takes a fiddle and smashes it to pieces. I can understand the sentiment! (Though I would *never* smash a lute!)   

I also play the oud, the predecessor of the lute, for some of the mediaeval music we play. I bought mine in a market in Turkey and have seen the exact same instrument for sale several times in this for literally 19 times the price I paid for it. Lucky me!

Stower