The Sultan’s Gift

In 1599 Elizabeth I sent the Sultan of Turkey a magnificent present, part organ and part astronomical clock. Its mechanism proved so complicated that its maker, John Dallam, was sent to Constantinople to supervise its installation. He wrote an account of his adventures, and this piece is based on it. seen through the eyes of his young apprentice.

There are two acts, each of 40 minutes. The piece is presented as a series of children’s games, as an equivalent to the sinister games of adulthood. It is for a large cast of young singers. Some of the parts can be taken by adult voices. It is scored for a large orchestral group.

It would be difficult to present the whole book here. As a ‘taster’, here is the Ambassador’s Trio from the end of Act One, in which they explain the background to the mission.