Perfume: Bryophyta, Citrus sinensis, Anthemis nobilis, Commiphora myrrha, Balsamic vinegar, Extra virgin olive oil, Dipteryx odorata, Boswellia sacra, Vetiveria zizanioides, Laurus Nobilis, Artemisia absinthium, Mimosa casta, Castoreum, Elettaria cardamomum, Ferula galbaniflua, Origanum majorana, Mentha, Myrtus communis, Pinus sylvestris, Thymus vulgaris, Citrus limon, Lavandula stoechas, Pelargonium rosa, Juniperus communis, Boswellia carteri, Ulva rigida.
Vis et Honor's opening is like a 33rpm record played a 75rpm. A remarkable lavender note plays solo for a few seconds as a soprano voice to immediately introduce a full-size orchestra performing an hyper-virtuoso and majestic piece of symphonic music. All the elements are clear and perfectly orchestrated by Pregoni who's able to show in the first three minutes what his true potential is.
In the front we clearly hear the strings together with the woodwinds that go from astringent artemisia, laurel, mint, citruses and mimosa while on the right side of the stage the brass instruments start to play piney notes, spices, thyme, oreganum and chamomille contributing to a crescendo that is quite breathtaking. This is the topic moment of the opera, the tension is very high when the drums and all other percussion intruments such as castoreum, tonka beans, incense, mosses, other resins and vetiver start to beat time faster, louder and deeper to finally reach the gran finale which leaves the theatre with a warm, enveloping and endless echo...Epic. Standing ovation.
Smoky, spicy, emotional, animalic, rough, complex, visceral, balmy, exclusive, herbal, evocative, brutal, poisonous, ancestral, invigorating, natural, aromatic, edgy, elitary, full-bodied, powerful, solid...recommended.
Rating: 7.5/10
