His vocal solo of gluttony in the album Lord Cromwell of Opus Avantra (1975) remains one of the highest peaks of the progressive rock Despite not having had any singles that topped the charts, the group still managed to enter the select circle of bands that have made the history of the prog made in ItalyThis might be enough to understand the depth of their frontwoman and singer, Donella Del Monaco, but in reality his value goes far beyond that and is demonstrated by the fact that even today he continues to create noteworthy works.
It is the case of Rosa rosae, an album released in 2019, under the name Donella del Monaco – Paoli Troncon -, Opus Avantra Ensemble. Now, six years later, the work has been reissued in 250 copies, in the form of a rare white vinyl. Thanks to MP & Records di Vannuccio Zanella, a well-deserving Paduan record producer, who decided to enrich this version with an unreleased song and other special features. The presentation could only take place in the elegant cultural salon of Donella del Monaco in Treviso, “Chez Donella”, which was the home of his uncle, the great tenor Mario del Monaco.
“Rosa Rosae” is one of Donella's most significant works with the Ensemble Opus Avantra and is distributed by GT Music, with the artistic production of Renato MarengoThe album represents a combination of great compositional depth, thanks to the wise and original vein, of classical-contemporary training, of Paolo Troncon, who set Donella's verses to music – which range from Latin, Italian, and French – with compositions structured in polyrhythmic and contrapuntal forms. The ensemble also features Mauro Martello to the flutes, soprano sax and duduk, Andrea De Nardi to keyboards, Laura Balbinot on the cello e Giorgio Cedolin on the drums. The whole event is further enhanced by the participation of prestigious artists, such as Tony Esposito, on percussion, Alberto Radius, Lino Vairetti of Osanna, with his Mediterranean voice and the singer Jenny Sorrenti.
But among the guests on the album, Juri Camisasca is particularly dear to Donella, why?
He introduced me to him Franco Battiato when he invited me to Catania, when he was the director of a Catania festival. There I discovered his world, which also included Juri Camisasca, an important figure musically, but above all for his unique personality: he is a mystic. Today it is impossible to imagine a character like Camisasca, because it seems like he's walking "half-on-half" off the ground. Among other things, he has a frightening culture and writes songs, precisely when asked, that is, he's not someone who wants to show off, and he has a beautiful voice. He also started out with prog and at the height of his success he retired, went to a Benedictine convent, where he stayed for several years. There he sang only Gregorian chant and in fact he has this sweetness of the male Gregorian vocals. Between him and Battiato, in my opinion, there was a remarkable artistic exchange, even spiritual. When he came for the album presentation, it was truly moving. He wanted to sing some songs together and I have a wonderful memory of him.
What did it mean to bear the surname Del Monaco?
It's a huge weight because my uncle, the tenor Mario Del MonacoHe had a stratospheric artistic quality. You can't even evaluate the situation, so you live in fear of ruining this wonderful name and this quality he had. In fact, I can say that I started singing without my family knowing. And then things changed completely, because Opus Avantra's progressive rock is another world.
But instead, I was greatly encouraged by my uncle, who appreciated me and wrote some very beautiful dedications that I still have today. So, in a way, this took away some of my anxiety.
What remains of the years of progressive and Lord Cromwell?
There is a lot left, becausethe world of progressive is a bit like a big family, so we all know each other a little, we respect each other and we appreciate each other. Even with Alfredo Tisocco We've remained on excellent terms. We put together a box set with a reissue of five or six Opus vinyl records, so we always stay in touch. We've also made a new album called Locos, which means "sacred place" in Paleo-Venetian.
Finally, what is Donella del Monaco preparing?
I don't have any new albums in the near future, after the reissue of this one with a new song. There is another work, which will be released in 45 laps, because my record company tells me that they are going out now and so they will be two new songs that I made with a rapper, Claver Gold, which has an elegant world in poetics, not at all heavy.
