It's not common but 'Oltre l'Abisso' is a project that was born thanks to a dream, that of the classical singer 'Elisabetta Tagliati' (see the page dedicated to her here) who wrote a novel about it: the plot tells a legend with profound spiritual implications, which takes place in Italy in the Apennines Mountains. 'Bethel', a Celtic chieftain, receives a series of mysterious visions which lead her to an encounter with the druid 'Vessagh'. Their knowledge of each other quickly turns into transcendental love, allowing them to reach the source of the Supreme Self. With the help of the composer 'Perry Magnani', also a pianist and friend of Elisabeth Tagiati', the novel is set to music in the form of a two-part progressive rock opera which alternates acoustic and electric parts, the whole being very varied but nevertheless very accessible thanks to catchy melodic lines from the first listen. The spotify link above is a playlist of disc 1 and 2.
The set is made up of 24 titles which necessarily require that we linger over it to properly tame the different atmospheres: 'Overture' sets the scene with an instrumental which is fairly representative of the set, alternating symphonic sections with more energetic parts, the central cut on the piano bringing a feeling of fullness between two more muscular parts with keyboards imitating choirs making me think of certain atmospheres of the symphonic metal group 'Therion' including the phenomenal opera 'Beloved Antichrist '. We will find this process throughout the opera, and it is for me, this duality which brings a real diversity that we do not often have the opportunity to hear. The first compositions are certainly the most symphonic and are influenced by classical music: the very beautiful 'Oltre l'Abisso', 'Makena' and 'Sei Troppo Bello' attest to this, which highlight the piano and the acoustic guitar, the singing always being very soft and melodious. In this style, we can also mention the titles 'Festa e Danze', 'Visione', 'Un Sospiro Sospeso', 'L'Abisso' or 'Addio' filled with a beautiful emotion. Between these different compositions, 'Perry Magnani' alternates more contemporary atmospheres with for example 'Il Blanchetto', 'Verso L'Ignoto', 'Rituale del Fuoco' which bring a more progressive side with rhythmic changes and remarkable vocal alternations between feminine and masculine registers. We can also note more muscular atmospheres with for example 'Lasciati Risplendere', 'La Profezia' or 'Il Cammino Illuminante' to which we can add 'Di Fronte a Me', the electric guitar riffs bringing a more rock side, but also theatrical atmospheres and very expressive at the vocal level with the continuation of the three titles 'L'Incanto dell'Incontro', 'Un Fatale Scontro' and 'Luce Sacra'. We will not miss either the festive 'Inno a Lugh', 'Parlando agli Idei' which alternates Celtic influences and energetic rock or the soft acoustic comma 'Rinascita' with a very beautiful piano/acoustic guitar duo or even the magnificent 'Solitudine' at the end of the album with its 'Floydian' guitar solos, the album ending with a few piano chords accompanied by melancholy strings with the very beautiful piece 'Epilogo'.
In summary, this Italian rock opera project is a great success and presents a great diversity of styles that requires lingering to draw all the substance, but which is very accessible thanks to melodic lines always catchy but also very rich musically thanks to the different acoustic and electric instruments used. And if you adhere to singing in Italian (which, from my point of view, brings a real plus to convey the omnipresent theatrical side), you should have a wonderful time listening to Oltre l'Abisso' thanks to talented performers.. | |
