ILLUMINATION II The second album from the acclaimed international (Italy-Israel) Ensemble Nuria began taking shape during the disorienting lockdowns of Covid-19, and was born into the devastating reality of the Hamas-Israel war. The album 'Illumination II: Italian-Jewish Music of Solace and Hope' is a testament to the resilience and relevance of Hebrew Liturgical Songs and Poems (known as 'Piyyutim'). Casting light on the enduring power of these works to sustain hope and offer comfort to those who encounter them, the work on this project spanned over 3 years, due to the impossibility of maintaining continuous work during the Covid pandemic. The process of preparing this album offered to those involved a way to reconnect with stability, community, creativity, joy and inspiration, despite challenging circumstances of life in Israel under the isolation of lockdown and war. Timeless melodies which were born in the ghettos of Rome, Venice, Mantova and Ferrara, these nearly vanished hidden treasures of haunting beauty are given a renewed voice in this album. Without doubt it is the uniquely poignant nature of the works themselves which allows listeners to experience the unabated power of this ancient music: The power to revive and to give solace and catharsis, to offer celebration, connection and community, just as the poets and musicians who created the words and melodies centuries ago intended. This nearly lost traditional music reveals itself here to be as powerful and communicative in our tumultuous 21st century world as when it was first sung in the Jewish communities of Italy, hundreds of years ago.