OLTRE L’ABISSO (“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.

Wanikiya Record/Promotion is pleased to present the entry in its roster of a mega project OLTRE L’ABISSO Prog-rock opera full of atmosphere, feeling, great emotions and much more….
We are really excited about this wonderful collaboration! Also because, really there will be wonderful news! Meanwhile, we present this fantastic project and then ……continue to follow us I recommend……
But let’s start slowly, let’s know in the meantime, this wonderful world of “OLTRE L’ABISSO”

“Oltre l’Abisso” is a prog-rock work, born from the close cooperation between the composer and pianist Perry Magnani and the soprano expert in Vocology and author/librettist Maestro Elisabetta Tagliati.

The collaboration of the two had already given life to several unpublished songs under the name of “Perry & Betty Lab”, but with the dream experience of Elisabetta, which gave rise to the novel published by Pluriversum “Oltre l’Abisso”, their efforts have focused on painting musically the plot and evoke the arcane atmosphere (in 24 unpublished songs for a 2-hour show).

Once the songs were written, the performers were selected for the roles (in particular Marcello Monti, rock singing, yoga and meditation teacher in the role of the druid Vessagh, who immediately embraced the project and admirably characterized his character) and then the band was formed (where guitarists Maurizio Melotti and Lorenzo Zagni were supporting the arrangement of the guitar parts of the songs designed for orchestra). For several months direction and musical rehearsals went hand in hand to reach the debut in the Rocca di Montefiorino with the direction of Stefano Luca Messori, on July 20, 2019.

Subsequently, all the songs were also rearranged acoustically for smaller events, in parallel with the recording of the album.
During the works some band and cast members changed and the current composition is: Sofia Mazza, currently enrolled in the Alta Formazione in Canto lirico in Conservatorio, as soul/folk vocal interpreter. Maurizio Melotti and Lorenzo Zagni on guitars, Riccardo Bighi on bass (enrolled at AFM in Bologna), Marco Pozzi on drums and Andrea Dondi as sound engineer.
In 2022 a new direction will be set up under the care of Sara Treviglio and the full album will be released.
The Covid has slowed down the work for a new direction by the performer, director, actor, playwright.

WHERE EVERYTHING COMES FROM

“Oltre l’Abisso” is a dream novel by Elisabetta Tagliati published by Pluriversum Edizioni, which tells a legend with a deep spiritual implication, set in the magical Italian Apennines. Elisabetta and composer Perry Magnani were so inspired by the plot that they created a rock opera of the same name, which faithfully follows the first chapter of the novel.

The story is a mystery surrounding a Celtic chieftain named Bethel who unexpectedly receives visions that lead her to discover herself in depth. Her trusted friend Luned is aware of a prophecy in that regard and tries unsuccessfully to dissuade her. Bethel’s journey into the unknown creates profound changes, the first and most disruptive of all being her acquaintance with a druid (Vessagh) whom she will accompany on her journey to enlightenment. This ritual passage takes the form of the two of them throwing themselves off a high rocky spur overlooking a lake, at the end of which they will find themselves unharmed and conceive a child. Although intoxicated by a complex set of feelings, Bethel will decide to return to her tribe and her beloved companion Makena: all this by fulfilling the premonitions received, but also triggering an ambiguous plot.
From here the plot of the novel will become more and more articulated coming to touch the most delicate themes of existence.

The rock opera is in Italian language and played completely live, both in acoustic version (with piano or piano forte and guitar) and electric version (with a full rock band).The show is composed of 24 songs for the duration of about 2 hours, also executable in concert form or through excerpts used as interludes of literary presentations.
In 2019, the show debuted in stage form in the Rocca di Montefiorino (MO). In 2022, the album is scheduled to be released and a new direction will be developed by Sara Treviglio.