Composed by Eric Bouillette & Clive Nolan
Format: Earbook 2CDs (limited hand-numbered) Recorded by Eric Bouillette & Clive Nolan
Style: Prog Rock/Renaissance Rock Lyrics: Clive Nolan
Country: UK Mix & mastering: Alexandre Lamia
Label: Anesthetize Productions Artwork © Steve Anderson
Release Date: 30/09/2022 Cover painting by Kim Ouzo
https://www.facebook.com/imaginaeriumband
Rating 95/100
This massive musical undertaking, in the form of a lavish rock opera, is set in Florence from the period of around (1390 to 1473). It is a historical account of how the marriage of the noblewoman ‘Contessina of the House of Bardi’ changed the fortunes of her new husband’s banking emporium, associated with the ‘House of Medici’. Such a union provided not only much-needed superiority but eventually, provided the military support needed to elevate Florence to an all-powerful state. But, besides adding an angle of interest from Europe’s distant past, it can be doubted whether such historical interpretations add anything to the value of the music itself except for the conceptual continuity and learning a bit about Italy’s past.
The progressive rock pedigree of ‘Clive Nolan’ together with the sheer professionalism of guitar and violin player ‘Eric Bouillette’ have together created a musical pairing just as exacting and powerful as past masters Rodgers and Hammerstein. Lerner and Loewe, Andrew Lloyd Webber and many, many more. The sheer scale of this epic slice of musical theatre is wonderful to behold. Beautiful male and female duets, passionate vocal deliveries from all cast members and epic slices of melodious instrumental passages. Music that sweeps majestically along with twists and turns and subtle changes of pace.
Summary: This is an album that fills you with utter joy, so how much better to look forward to any future live performances? An epic well produced album and a future classic with almost two hours of magic. Album teaser: https://youtu.be/Jmrg59G2hpQ
Tracklisting
CD1 (54’00)
1. Festina lente
2. Duty of love
3. House of dreams
4. The tide will change
5. Never close your eyes
6. Glass throne
7. Treachery
8. Fall from grace
9. Will I never return
10. Fortunes reverse
11. Return of Medici
12. Legacy
CD Bonus (35’00) :
- Fortunes reverse – Clive & Laura Mix
2. Duty of Love – Bonus Mix
3. Legacy – Duet with Andy & Laura
4. Never close your Eyes – Harp Mix with Laura
5. Fall from grace – Duet Elena & Laura
6. Fortunes reverse – Guitar mix
7. Festina Lente – Laura Mix
8. The tide will change – Instrumental Mix
9. Interview with Eric
10. Interview with Laura
11. Interview with Clive
Total Playtime: 89’00
Imaginaerium, the band originally formed by Eric Bouillette, Clive Nolan & Laura Piazzai, announced that their album
”The Rise of Medici” will be out on September 30th via Anesthetize Productions.
”The album features some of the major episodes in the life of Cosimo and Contessina De’ Medici. Their lives were far more intricate and complex than this album can possibly put across, so we simply offer a small part of their dramatic place in history.”
Line-up
Clive Nolan: composition, arrangements, lyrics, keyboards, drum recording, vocals – Rinaldo
Eric Bouillette: composition, arrangements, guitars, keyboards, mandolin, violin
Laura Piazzai: vocals – Contessina
Andy Sears: vocals – Cosimo
Elena Vladyuk: vocals – Lucrezia
Mark Spencer: vocals – Monks
Scott Higham: drums
Bernard Hery: bass
Isabella Cambini: harp
