In the 16th Century, the most important families of the nobility and rich men of the church vied with one another to hire the best musical virtuosos, to be exhibited with pride as a living demonstration of their prestige. At the same time the musician competed to become famous and eminent. The art of diminution (quick notes that artfully break-up longer note values of the original melody), founded on an age-old improvisatory tradition of virtuoso singers and instrumentalists, flowered especially in the half-century between 1575 and 1625. A wonderful overview of the pieces that flourished in this period. Bruce Dickey is one of today’s most expert practitioners of the Renaissance art of diminution and one of the world’s most accomplished cornettists. Monica Huggett, currently nomiated for a Grammy award for her work with Avie, appears here in her third cd with Galatea, after works by Buonamente and Marini. Michael Chance is known above all for his interpretations of Baroque Opera roles and for his interest in the lute-song repertoire of the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods. These distinguished soloists join Galatea, founded by lutenist and director, Paul Beier.