Hexperos: The Veil Of Queen Mab

The Veil Of Queen Mab is the second album from Italian duo Hexperos, featuring the pair Francesco Forgione, who handles double bass, cello, keyboards and programming (among other instruments) and hammer dulcimer, flautist Alessandra Santovito, who also adds her gloriously controlled operatic voice to the music. Deep and dark in construction, the loosely conceptual, flowing structure of the compositions on this album are melancholy and thought provoking and listened to, as I did, on a cold snowy evening, in the light of flickering candles is a wonderfully calming experience.

The rich instrumentation and clever arrangements across this disc, allows the true beauty of the music to hit home and whether it is the clarity of the harp (provided by Francesca Romana Di Nicola), or the tinkling of percussion that punctuates the rich, thick atmosphere, every note makes a telling contribution to the flow of the story that the music has to tell. Santovito has a glorious voice that while capable of hitting operatic highs, instead settles for a far more restrained and inviting level that invites you into the music rather than scares you off.

With a mixture of original compositions and classic masterpieces, Hexperos have a lot to offer for anyone looking for a more refined and considered listening experience and while I wouldn't proclaim that this is an album for all occasions, in the right circumstances it has a beauty that is most welcome.

1. The Fairy Appears
2. Queen Mab
3. El Velo Azul
4. Moon Spell
5. Diadem Of The Night
6. Summoning Of The Artists
7. A Reason To Live
8. Nocturne
9. Le Lacrime Di Prosperpina
10. A Forest
11. A Midsummer Night's Dream
12. Time Of Spirit
13. Asturiana

Added: November 28th 2010
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Hexperos Official Web Site
Hits: 2099
Language: english

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