Local Focus: Renaissance reboot for lute duo

Pickett and Lovett are Hawke's Bay's renaissance music duo. They have an impressive collection of lutes including one that is absolutely massive. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

When musician Campbell Lovatt first heard a lute playing music from the renaissance period, a whole new musical world opened up to him.

"The sound captured me", he said.

"The sound of the instrument spoke to some distant part of my soul."

At a Wellington lute workshop he met fellow Hawke's Bay guitarist Steve Pickett who had experienced a similar epiphany.

They became a performance duo – Pickett and Lovett – with several renaissance instruments to choose from.

Concerts in Taradale and Hastings last year were a success.

"We put on a concert with Amy Dunn," Pickett said.

"She's a mezzo soprano and also plays the harp and the recorder, which is great."

More concerts are planned for 2019.

Made with funding from