Naxos World is proud to present A Tribute to Stesha, celebrating the music of 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 in collaboration with Moscow Gypsy musicians The Kolpakov Trio, in a vibrant reconstruction of her art.