Instruments played by Sulis

Tibetan Singing Bowl

The singing bowl predates Buddhism in Tibet and was used in the ancient Bon tradition as part of religious rituals. It is traditionally made from seven metals - gold, silver, mercury, copper, iron, tin and lead. Since the time of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni (560 - 489 B.C.E.) the many harmonics of singing bowls have been used to induce meditation and assist spiritual seekers to the state of enlightenment.

Crystal Bowl

The crystal bowl is an unused electrical insulator - an offcut from the electrical industry! We use it as a drone instrument - it's a lot easier to play than the Tibetan bowl. Celia's new comission for the 2002 Brighton Healing Sounds Festival, The Vision of Enoch is a setting for countertenor, soprano, and three crystal singing bowls.

Early Double Harp

Sulis uses this copy of a 17th century gut-strung double harp, by Tim Hobrough. The original double harps were mainly used for accompanying voices, often in conjunction with the chitarrone (a kind of large lute). Monteverdi specifies "Arpa Doppia" as both continuo and solo instrument in his first opera "Orfeo".