OPUS AVANTRA comprises three parts: OPUS (opera - work) AVAN (avanguardia - vanguard) and TRA (tradition - tradition). Their style blends elements of progressive, classical, opera, jazz and just plain general weirdness, using keyboards, bass, drums, violins, cellos, clarinet, flutes and other instruments. They were highly influential in the progressive avant-garde scene of the time.

"Introspezione" also referred to as "Donella Del Monaco" has all kinds of classical influences including contempory classic. Beautiful operatic voice which I like very much. The second album ("Lord Cromwell") is more difficult, almost avant garde but contempory and old classical music inspired too. It takes time to fully appreciate this album but it's worth to give it that time. "Strata" has beautiful vocal passages, some difficult piano pieces but very interesting too! The fourth album "Lyrics" is somewhat overshadowed being less difficult, less intense, with more minimal of ideas, but still coming forth from the first aproach. Still they are one of the all time best Italian bands. If you're up to it, start with "Introspezzione".

Beg your pardon but Lyrics is the first OPUS AVANTRA's album for me. I can't now understand it's whether good or not, but I think it's okay because the album has several short suites plus short songs, and is not relatively hard to hear. OPUS AVANTRA is a project by two leaders, Alfredo Tisocco the practical leader, and Donella Del Monaco the vocalist and the mental core of the band. It's not overappreciation that he and she together should make and drive the project.
This album is composed by two suites and four short pieces of song. First, Viaggio Immaginario...in English, imaginary trip...is made by repeated phrases by strings, horn section, and percussion with opera voice. This suite can remind me BOLERO by Joseph Maurice Ravel (as everyone should say?), namely it should get more elevated and louder as an eagle flyes. Simple but strong phrases repeated can kick us out completely. Next suite is named Mysterious Japanese Suite. Japanese? How?...I can't understand well what they might intend. Humbly, I can imagine that the suite should express itself as Japanese traditional art, No-Gaku. Some speedy tension and conversely slower flute sound can remind me the real No-Dance of young or old ladies, and attacking and hitting points the one of Han-nya, an ogre or a devil. Or I can imagine a busy and restless life of a modern Japanese... Also about the other 4 pieces Donella's opera-like or hiphop-like voice should be the key point of the songs.