INTROSPEZIONE - DONELLA DEL MONACO

I simply can't believe, that I'm writing first review of this masterpiece just at this moment. "Introspezione" is one of the most innovative and unusual records in the history of prog music. This is truly progressive album- progressive in such a meaning- that are literally no influences of bands like King Crimson, Yes, Jethro Tull, Genesis or ELP- all is Opus Avantra distinctive and imaginitive style. RIO? I wouldn't call them RIO group- rather progressive folk strongly rooted in old classical music with some vanguard elements. Precisely only title track is in whole kept in atonal style with strange piano cascades and electronically deformated voices. Next two tracks: "La Marmellata" and " Monologo" have also some experimental passages, but they don't dominate. In the rest tracks group mixed elements of old Venetian songs (from XVII and XVII centuries) and classical Italian opera (Puccini, Verdi) with some typical rock rythms (but drums playing is only little flaw on this album unfortunately- is not especially refined)). For example: Il Pavone start with typical baroque accompaniment (like from Vivaldi compositions) and almost coloratura-like female soprano, but after more than 2 minutes transform into agressive rock piece with drums and wordless jazzy vocalize. The sound is mainly acoustic- excellent piano parts, harpsichord, violin,cello and flute dominate, but Avatra's really triumph card is female singer- Donella del Monaco. She used her voice like professional operatic primadonna (but without some kind of prenetiousness and affectation, which characterizes many operatic divas) and was able to sing (in Italian and French) like angel in exremaly beautiful "Les Plaisirs Sount Doux", like devil in dark and gothic "Rituale", like child in grotesque "La Marmellata" or even like Edith Piaf in "Deliee" Practically the whole album is kept in weird, very decadence atmosphere.

Similar groups- remembering, that Opus Avantra was very unique:

Pierrot Lunaire- in fact in many ways "Gudrun" is very close to "Introspezione", but Avantra recorded his masterpiece three years earlier!

Jacula- but more in the mood rather than music itself

Art Bears- but Opus Avantra i less rocky,certainly less experimental, has more memorable (even "catchy") melodies and certainly better vocalist!

Renaissance- a little bit only