Barbara Strozzi must have been a very unusual woman and is an extraordinary phenomenon in the history of music: probably the illegitimate daughter of the then famous Venetian poet Guilio Strozzi, she was adopted by him and received a comprehensive education. At a time when women were largely excluded from the music scene, her musical talents were encouraged and she was able to present both her wonderful voice and her exceptionally artistic compositions to the highest echelons of Venetian society at so-called "academies" regularly organised by her father. Her compositions were enthusiastically received and she published eight volumes with 125 of her compositions in print, more than most of her male colleagues. The young ensemble "Il Segreto delle Muse" presents a selection of twelve arias and duets by Barbara Strozzi, recorded with the professional support and under the direction of baroque expert Gabriel Garrido.