Private Salon Performances
In its most intimate form, String of Pearls returns to the atmosphere from which so much poetry, music, and philosophy originally emerged: the salon.
Before concert halls and theatres, literature and music lived in rooms — among books, candlelight, conversation, and attentive listeners gathered closely together. Our salon performances revive this older tradition of cultural exchange: an evening of poetry, voice, and music presented with refinement, intimacy, and depth.
Rooted in the Persian mystical and literary tradition, the programme draws on a lineage of poetry that has shaped spiritual and philosophical thought for centuries.
Designed for private members’ clubs, literary institutions, collectors’ libraries, and elegant private gatherings, these performances create a rare atmosphere — part recital, part literary experience, part contemplative encounter.
A Literary & Musical Encounter
At the centre of the salon experience are voice and poetry.
The performance is led by Laura Merri (poetry and recitation) and Leela Emadi (voice), presenting a carefully woven programme of poetry, song, and musical atmosphere inspired by the mystical literary tradition of Persia.
The evening draws primarily from the poetry of Rumi and the wider Persian mystical canon, presented through a blend of spoken word, vocal performance, and musical accompaniment.
Poetry is recited and sung.
Music rises and recedes.
The language of the poems unfolds gradually in the room.
Rather than a formal concert, the experience is immersive and quietly transporting, allowing guests to enter the emotional and philosophical world of the poetry.
The Salon Setting
Salon performances are designed for beautiful and intimate spaces, where the atmosphere itself becomes part of the experience.
Ideal settings include:
private members’ clubs
literary societies and cultural foundations
historic libraries and book-lined rooms
rare book and manuscript galleries
collectors’ salons
elegant drawing rooms and private residences
Audience sizes typically range from 20–80 guests, allowing the performance to retain its warmth, subtlety, and sense of closeness.
In such settings, the experience feels less like attending an event and more like being welcomed into a shared cultural moment.
A Cultural Bridge
Rooted in the Persian literary and mystical tradition, String of Pearls offers audiences a rare opportunity to encounter these works through voice, music, and atmosphere.
The poetry of Rumi has long crossed cultures and centuries. Presented with care and sensitivity, these texts continue to resonate with audiences from many backgrounds.
Our salon evenings offer:
• a window into the refined poetic heritage of Persia
• an intimate musical and literary experience
• a gathering that is both cultural and contemplative
They sit naturally in settings that value literature, beauty, and thoughtful cultural experiences.
Format
Each salon performance is curated specifically for its setting.
A typical programme may include:
spoken poetry and literary recitation
live vocal performance
musical interludes
a carefully paced sequence of texts and songs
Performances typically last 45–70 minutes, and can sit beautifully within a wider evening — before dinner, following a reception, or as the central cultural moment of a gathering.
Private Homes & Literary Salons
The salon format lends itself particularly well to private homes and hosted gatherings.
Many hosts incorporate a String of Pearls performance into:
private dinners
curated cultural evenings
literary salons
celebrations and special occasions
intimate gatherings among friends and guests
In these settings, the performance becomes a shared experience that quietly transforms the atmosphere of the evening, offering guests something both beautiful and unexpected.
Selected Appearances
String of Pearls has presented performances in historic cultural venues and intimate artistic settings in London, where audiences have gathered to experience the poetry and music of the Persian mystical tradition in an atmosphere of closeness and reflection.
Recent appearances include:
Lauderdale House, London
Cecil Sharp House
Colet House
The ensemble continues to develop its work through both public performances and private cultural salons.
Private Invitations
Salon performances can be presented in a wide variety of settings — from members’ clubs and literary venues to collectors’ libraries and private residences.
Each engagement is arranged in dialogue with the host, allowing the programme to suit the character of the space and the tone of the evening.
For enquiries regarding private performances, club programmes, literary events, or hosted gatherings, please contact us.
A small number of salon performances are made available each season for private hosts and cultural institutions.
