Combine the artistry and brilliant virtuosity of countertenor Drew Minter and ARTEK/458 Strings with a program of vocal and instrumental jewels from 17th century Italy, and you have a recipe for a dynamic recording, bursting with musical fireworks, overflowing with emotion, and splashed with a multitude of colors.

In 2014, Bruce began a project together with Czech soprano Hana Blažíková to explore the affinity of the cornetto and the human voice. The project was called Breathtaking: A Cornetto and a Voice Entwined. With the program that evolved from that project, Bruce and Hana recorded a CD for the Passacaille label and toured the world performing the program more than forty times in North America, Europe and Australia. In order to make the touring financially viable, they have paired with backup ensembles in Europe, the USA and Australia.

This duo is a secret trio: while soprano Amaryllis Dieltiens and continuo player Bart Naessens are celebrating their 10th anniversary of ""Capriolo di Gioia"", there is a third, unmistakable protagonist: the sonorous claviorganum (combination of harpsichord and organ) played by Markus Harder-Völkmann, a very convincing representative of this rare instrument group. Dieltiens and Naessens show that the impressive keyboard instrument can be used in a variety of ways in the continuo to present colorful and powerful Italian music of the 17th and 18th centuries. Johann David Heinichens great cantata ""Là, dove in grembo al colle"" may also be counted as Italian music, as it was written in Italian style during his stay in Italy. Amaryllis Dieltien's soprano is the perfect completion; here she shines theatrically as well as lyrically.

Born in Rome in 1600 in a family of musical traditions, Giovanni Felice Sances owes his musical education first to the Roman environment, and then to the Venetian, strongly influenced by the genius of Monteverdi that in those days was dominating unchallenged. The turning point of Sances life however, occurred at thirty-six when he was hired at the Imperial Chapel of Vienna, first as singer, and then - known for his skills - as main composer and favorite of the emperor; he retained this position until his death, leaving the Imperial Chapel an impressive number of compositions.