{"id":8753,"date":"2022-09-25T20:13:02","date_gmt":"2022-09-25T18:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/?p=8753"},"modified":"2025-11-30T11:49:52","modified_gmt":"2025-11-30T10:49:52","slug":"imaginaerium-the-rise-of-medici-special-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/cd-recensie\/imaginaerium-the-rise-of-medici-special-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"Imaginaerium – The Rise of Medici [Special Edition]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Multi-instrumentalist\/composer Eric Bouillette founded the prog project “Imaginaerium” with Laura Piazzai. Late last year, this versatile musician was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. In August Eric passed away, with that, bands like ‘Nine Skies’ and ‘The Room’ also lose a passionate guitarist. Eric was so proud of ‘The Rise of Medici,’ unfortunately he did not have the chance to witness the release of this album (due out October 7th). Clive Nolan (Clive’s Musicals and Arena, among others) and Eric composed the music. Clive wrote the lyrics for this concept album. The story is about the mighty Italian nobles Cosimo and Contessina De Medici. Rinaldo degli Albizz was one of this couple’s greatest enemies and wanted to break down their dominant position. Lucrezia De Medici, the storyteller, is a future grandchild of Cosimo and Contessina. This double album comes with a beautiful earbook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the start, you are immediately drawn into the music. You hear the sound of a modest church bell. The lead vocals and backing vocals of the monks is first intertwined. Elena Vladyuk performs the role of Lucrezia (storyteller). Vocals and music of ‘Festina lente’ remain tuneful. Nonstop follows ‘Duty of love’, the bell still rings. In the background, the chanting of the monks can still be heard. In the foreground, beautiful, wordless singing can be heard. Then classical elements are added, rhythm and melody form a perfect balance. Laura Piazzai sings the words of Contessina, her pronunciation clear. She sings about the path she is obliged to follow, in which she herself has no choices. When the rock joins in, the classical elements remain present. This forms a fine blend. Even in the faster played part, Laura’s pronunciation remains clear, moreover, she showcases a good vocal range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can tell from the music of ‘House of dreams’ that the story takes place centuries ago. The voices of Contessina and Cosimo (sung by Andy Sears) match each other beautifully. Again, there are plenty of twists and turns in vocals and music. The distorted, whispered words is one of the few transitions that don’t quite flow nicely. ‘The tide will change’ starts with choral singing and classical music. The role of Rinaldo is superbly portrayed by Clive Nolan. His well-dosed, theatrical singing complements the story perfectly. His hateful words are easily understandable. Sampled sounds are the transition to a more quietly played and sung part. The division between drama and accessibility is sublime. So is the turn to more tempo and volume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the start of ‘Never close your eyes’, you hear choral singing, followed by Lucrezia’s vocals. The classic choral singing is without words. ‘Glass throne’ initially has the atmosphere of centuries ago. Yet the piece of rock-metal connects nicely with this. ‘Treachery’ is about Rinaldo’s betrayal to Cosimo. The voices of these men differ enough so that it is clear who is singing what. Contessina also sings a part, with moments of singing all of them together. The music is partly classical oriented, this is complemented by a catchy rhythm. The inserted rock\/metal piece is very good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In ‘Fall from grace’ Lucrezia sings about Cosimo. The atmosphere of vocals and music give a defeated impression. Cosimo sings ‘Will I never return’. The music occasionally changes tempo and volume. His vocals and the emotions go along with this. The duet (‘Fortunes reverse’) between Rinaldo and Contessina makes it clear that he has not succeeded in his plan after all. After a subdued beginning to ‘Return of Medici’, the tempo and volume of the music increase. Rinaldo, Contessina and Cosimo each sing their part. Sometimes the singing runs into one another, but the harmony remains. The beautiful slow singing of the monks returns briefly. Then Lucrezia can be heard briefly. All the voices together form a beautiful blend. ‘Legacy,’ the last song, has a subdued start, but a powerful continuation, this exudes confidence in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘The Rise of Medici’ has the allure of a rock opera, yet the whole thing has remained accessible. Several songs feature (wordless) choral singing. Vocals and music are balanced throughout. The alternation and\/or fusion of classical-oriented music with rock or rock-metal is sublime. This rock opera deserves to be performed on stage. This is one of the top albums of the year. It also comes with a surprising bonus CD (with interviews).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(91\/100) (Anesthetize Productions). <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Social media<\/strong>:
Facebook: Imaginaerium<\/a>
Website: Imaginaerium<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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