The double album of the Oltre L'Abisso project "Opera Rock" is released today. "Beyond the Abyss" is a prog-rock work composed by Perry Magnani and M° Elisabetta Tagliati, based on Elisabetta's dream novel of the same name published by Pluriversum Edizioni: the story is a faithful transcript of a dream received by the author and continued three months long in 2018.

The plot tells a legend with deep spiritual implications, set in the magical Italian Apennines. Bethel, a Celtic chieftain, receives a series of mysterious visions that lead her to an encounter with the druid Vessagh. Their mutual acquaintance quickly turns into transcendental love, allowing them to reach the source of the supreme Self.

The chosen genre, classical prog-rock, proved a malleable ally in being able to draw with music the most folk-like moments as well as the most dramatic and violent ones. Although Magnani's music is pervaded by a deep personal style, it is able to adapt and excite by changing guise and personnel.

The entire concept is set during the harvest festival, Lughnasadh. In the first act, one will get to know the Capoclan Bethel, her companion Makena and the very sweet Luned: this Clan, whose faith falters, will gladly linger in the intoxicating drinks, drawing the listener into a festive mood that is soon overshadowed by the call of a forgotten prophecy. It is Luned, the couple's loyal friend, who knows as much about the prophecy as the gods and who attempts to save her friend and sustain her relationship with Makena, whom she loves.

The second act has much darker atmospheres: the Capoclan goes in search of a famous Druid, Vessagh, for him to explain to her the transcendent experience she has undergone; he is overbearing and rejects her as unfaithful. Only while celebrating the great fire ritual will the Druid notice new energies in the air, and become curious about the woman he has imprisoned in his tent. In an atmosphere of mutual mistrust and fear, fascination and attraction between the two of them arises: they will reject these feelings until, having arrived before a mythical precipice from which only the Demigods had thrown themselves while remaining unharmed, they understand that the call of the Gods concerns them both and invites them to cross the threshold of the Unknown. In a moving monologue, Vessagh reflects on a life of renunciation and devotion, supported by Bethel's ethereal vocalizations that incite him to reach the glory that is only a step away.

They will make the ritual leap by gaining immortality: for him it will be the desired public consecration as a demigod, but also the unhoped-for chance to be a father. Ready to give up the former, he will invite the Capoclan to raise their divine son together, but she will refuse, remaining loyal to her Clan and returning to her companion Makena, allowing Vessagh to be remembered forever. The voices of the gods, omnipresent in the choruses of the second year, will suggest that their love is not destined to end that night: in fact, the work represents only the first chapter of the entire novel. Bethel and Vessagh, finding themselves as they search for themselves, will continue that journey that has already transformed them indelibly. This is what we hope will happen to the listener as well, suspended between introspection and responsibility, fairy tale and reality, in a spiral of myth and mystery.

The rock opera is in the Italian language and played completely live, in both acoustic (with piano and partial or full band) and electric (with a rock band) versions. The three characters are characterized by three different vocalities (lyrical, rock and soul), approached from numerous musical genres (folk, pop, blues, soul, rock, metal, classical, psychedelic, soundtrack) that flow smoothly with each other and are summarized by the prog rock sound.

Rock opera was composed in 2018 and premiered in the Castle of Montefiorino (MO) in 2019. The performance consists of 25 songs for the duration of about 2 hours, executable as a performance (directed by Beatrice Cotifava), concert or musical reading.

The novel is published by Pluriversum Editions and a sequel called Tears of Eternity will be released soon.

In 2022 Beyond the Abyss signs to release the album through the Wanikiya Record / Promotion label.

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