Bowing as an educated way of greeting someone else is already mentioned in the Bible. That dates back way beyond antiquity. Yet as for musicians receiving applause with a bow, that would imply that musicians were acknowledged as kind of emancipated artists considered worthy to receive applause.
Just a guess, but I don't think John Dowland was used to bowing when he played for his employers (landgrave Moritz, king Christian). Emancipation of artists came up during the 17th century, if I'm not mistaken. So perhaps lutenists like Jacques Gaultier or François Dufaut in London would receive applause with a bow (mid-17th century). Perhaps the question should rather be put this way: When became applause for artistic performances fashionable? Mathias To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
