This recording is a tribute to the celebrated Russian-Gypsy diva Stepanida Soldatova (1787–1822), whose talent and imaginative performances influenced several generations of Russian musicians, composers and writers. Professionally trained in bel canto, Stepanida – or Stesha, as she was known to her friends – synthesized her own signature style, combining the qualities of virtuoso operatic technique and the oral performance tradition of Eastern European Gypsies (Rroma). This recording presents the early music specialists TALISMAN: Anne Harley, Oleg Timofeyev and Etienne Abelin, in collaboration with Moscow Gypsy musicians The Kolpakov Trio, in a vibrant reconstruction of Stesha’s art.