Ensemble Performances & Private Bookings

Poetry, Music, and the Living Tradition of Rumi

String of Pearls offers evocative performances of poetry, voice, and music inspired by the timeless writings of Rumi and the Persian mystical tradition.

Blending spoken word, live vocals, and traditional instrumentation, the ensemble creates performances that bring this extraordinary literary heritage into the present moment — allowing audiences to experience the poetry not only as words on a page, but as a living artistic encounter.

Performances can be presented in a wide range of settings, from concert programmes and cultural festivals to private events and special occasions.

Each presentation is thoughtfully adapted to suit the space, audience, and spirit of the event.

A Flexible Ensemble

String of Pearls can appear in a variety of forms, from intimate recitations to larger multi-artist performances.

Configurations may include:

  • Poetry recitation with Laura Merri

  • Poetry and voice with Laura Merri and vocalist Leela Emadi

  • Expanded ensemble performances incorporating musicians, storytelling, and movement

  • Full String of Pearls presentations featuring multiple artists from the collective

Whether presented as a focused poetic recital or as a fuller artistic performance, the work remains centred on the depth, beauty, and emotional power of the poetry itself.

Suitable for Many Types of Events

String of Pearls performances can complement a wide variety of gatherings and programmes, including:

  • arts festivals and cultural programmes

  • concert series and venue seasons

  • literary events and poetry festivals

  • spiritual and contemplative gatherings

  • private celebrations and commemorations

  • international cultural events

  • weddings, memorials, and milestone occasions

The performances bring a sense of presence and depth to an event, creating moments that draw audiences into a shared atmosphere of reflection and beauty.

The Experience

Rumi’s poetry speaks across centuries because it addresses the deepest dimensions of human life — love, longing, joy, grief, and the search for meaning.

When spoken and sung in a live setting, these words take on a new immediacy. A room grows quiet. Attention gathers. The poetry begins to breathe.

Through voice, music, and careful pacing, String of Pearls creates performances that allow audiences to encounter these texts with freshness and emotional clarity.

Tailored Performances

Each engagement is shaped in dialogue with the organiser.

Programmes may range from short poetic interludes within a larger event to full-length performances designed as a central feature of the evening.

Duration, ensemble size, and artistic format can all be adapted to suit the scale and nature of the occasion.

Booking the Ensemble

String of Pearls is available for festival appearances, cultural programming, private events, and commissioned performances in the UK and internationally.

If you are considering including the ensemble within an upcoming event or programme, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Enquiries are welcome from venues, festivals, curators, and private hosts.

A woman with dark hair in a bob, wearing earrings and a sheer black dress, is smiling and gesturing with her hands near a red, possibly velvet, curtain with small pearls, in an indoor setting with a plant in the background.
Two women smiling, one wearing a blue satin top with black and white striped pants and the other in black with a decorative embroidered shawl, standing against a beige background with shadows.
A woman with short, curly hair wearing a sparkly, dark green dress and dangling earrings, standing against a red background with a large green plant behind her, making a gesture with her hand while talking.
Group of four people standing together in a cozy room with a brick wall, pink lilies, and a small decorative piece in the background. They are dressed in elegant and colorful attire, smiling for the photo.
A woman dancing on a dark stage, spinning with a white skirt while wearing a black top and black shoes.

Please get in touch and share your idea.

We’d love to hear from you.