The music of the famous "Age of the Tulip» («Lâle Devri») will be the focus of the ensemble "Terpnon" for a concert at the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art. 
In Istanbul during the early 18th century, after the end of expansionary wars, the Ottoman court and the elite of the city turn their interest in more pleasant habits such as the decoration of the city with ornate buildings, the flowering of the arts and particularly the secular court music. A particularly favorite pastime is the so-called "tulip competitions” During these celebrations unique species of the flower acquired mythical dimensions and the participants competed with ornate compositions of colourful tulips in the courtyards of the mansions. This atmosphere of joy from a flowery, spring Istanbul will attempt to convey the ensemble "Terpnon" at the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art. 

The musicians of the ensemble are: 
Dr Achilleas Chaldaiakis- chanter 
Achilleas Tigkas- ney 
Theodora Athanasiou- lavta 
Dimitris Tigkas- contrabass, viola da gamba 

The music ensemble Terpnon pursues the research, study and spread of the music tradition of the Ottoman period in Istanbul as inspired by the cosmopolitan air of the sultan’s court and the tradition of the Mevlevi dervishes as well as the orthodox mysticism of the Patriarchal chanters. It highlights primary source material while approaching the two musical systems, the "maqam" and the Byzantine "sounds". Its performances, executed in accordance with the aesthetics of today but maintaining the mood of past compositions, include the work of important representatives of Istanbul's musical tradition such as: Nayi Osman Dede, Dimitrie Cantemir, Tanburi Angeli, Panagiotis Chalatzoglou, Patriarch Theophanes Karykes, Peter the Peloponnesian and others