Neues Jahr – neue Musik. Den Anfang macht das Vivaldi Metal Project, eine Combo aus vielen Musiker:innen. Die Idee für dieses riesige Projekt hatte Mistheria, der Sound ist eine Mischung aus Klassik und Metal. Der Bandleader hat sich unseren Fragen gestellt.
Who is behind Vivaldi Metal Project?
Vivaldi Metal Project is a symphonic-metal opera and group created and produced by Italian keyboard player, composer and producer Mistheria (solo artist, Bruce Dickinson, RoyZ, Rob Rock, Mark Boals, Artlantica, Tower of Babel). In studio the project features a cast of internationally-recognized metal and classical artists, among thembsuch sensations as Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Roy Z (Bruce Dickinson, Rob Rock, Jeff Scott Soto, Mike Terrana, Mark Boals), Dirk Verbeuren 
(Megadeth), Anders Johansson (Manowar), Rolf Pilve (Stratovarius), Gerit Lamm (Ex-Xandria), Steve Di Giorgio (Testament), Zaher Zorgati (Myrath), Coen Janssen (Epica), Jennifer Batten, Joe Stump (Alcatrazz), Nick Z Marino (Y. Malmsteen), Chris Caffery (Savatage), Mark Cross (Ex-Firewind/Scorpions), Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake), Elina Siirala (Leaves‘ Eyes), Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai), Matt Bissonette (Elton John, Joe Satriani), Giacomo Voli / Roberto De Micheli (Rhapsody of Fire), Felipe Andreoli (Angra), Andreas Passmark (Royal Hunt), Bob Katsionis (Firewind), Henrik Klingenberg (Sonata Arctica), and many more … The live band features Aeva Maurelle, Arianna Marciano, Mariagrazia Di Valentino, Gianluca Mastrangelo (vocals), Abigail Stahlschmidt, Anna Buevich, Marina Barskaya (strings), Mistheria (keyboards), Francesco Corapi, Leonardo Porcheddu, Michele “Dr. Viossy” Vioni (guitars), Dino Fiorenza (bass), Paolo Conte (drums).
Forget about genres for a second – Vivaldi Metal Project’s music sounds like …?
Classical music with symphonic and metal arrangements, cinematic flavour combined with vocals, orchestra and choir. Sounds like Epica, Nightwish, Symphony X, Delain, Xandria, Rhapsody of Fire, Stratovarius, Within Temptation, Sirenia, Avantasia and similar.
Which sort of mood produces the best songs?
The compositional approach is strictly personal, it is difficult to lay down a rule. Personally, it is almost never an emotional state but a need for expression.
Which person, artist or incident inspired you when you first started making music?
Classical composers, such as Bach, Vivaldi, Chopin, Liszt.
The Fairy-Godmother pops up in front of you and grants you a wish. What do you wish for?
Being able to play and compose until the last of my days.
No alcohol is no solution either. What booze combination will definitely dissolve all your troubles and issues?
The satisfaction of doing the job I love, that is playing, composing, and holding concerts and tours.
Who was the hero of your childhood?
My musical hero were and are Johann Sebastian Bach for his absolute musical perfection, Frédéric Chopin for his unparalleled musical poetry, Franz Liszt for his monstrous performance and compositional technique. Among modern musicians, Jon Lord and Keith Emerson who initiated and completed the use of keyboards in rock and metal.
What is the most embarrassing/surprising record on your CD-shelf?
Let me answer with my TOP 10 albums. Fryderyk Chopin – Complete Nocturnes – Claudio Arrau (1978) / Bruce Dickinson – Accident of Birth (1997) / Yngwie Malmsteen – Trilogy (1984) / Deep Purple – The Battle Rages On… (1993) / Pink Floyd – Atom Heart Mother (1970) / Chick Corea – My Spanish Heart (1976) / Royal Hunt – Paradox (1997) / Marillion – Misplaced Childhood (1985) / Genesis – Foxtrot (1972) / Antonio Vivaldi – The Four Seasons / I Solisti Veneti (1974)
What’s next? Tour? Studio? Vacation? Something completely different?
Bruce Dickinson’s The Mandrake Project that will start in April 2024. I’ve been working with Bruce on his Tyranny of Souls album released in 2005, and it was about time for a new record. Finally, we made it and the tour will follow. I’m so delighted and excited to perform with an amazing band featuring Roy Z on guitar, Tanya O’Callaghan on bass, and Dave Moreno on drums. This tour will take off in Mexico and Brazil, then will land in Europe with many shows and festivals. All info and dates at www.themandrakeproject.com.
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