Pera Ensemble

The Pera Ensemble is a Turkish early music group specializing in music of the Ottoman Empire. The group was founded by oud player Mehmet Cemal Yeşilçay and psaltery player Mehmet İhsan Özer. The name "Pera" comes from the old Greek name of the cosmopolitan Beyoğlu district on the European side of Istanbul, Turkey. The instrumental ensemble includes oud, qanun, kemençe, and European medieval and baroque instruments: viola d'amore, viola da gamba, theorbo, shawm, and percussion.