Luca Turilli's Rhapsody was an Italian Symphonic metal band from Trieste . It was formed in 2011 around guitarist Luca Turilli following the latter's departure from the band Rhapsody of Fire, of which he was the founder and main composer. He was followed on this occasion by bassist Patrice Guers and touring guitarist Dominique Leurquin, who became an official member of this new formation.
On May 22, 2012, the band released the first single from the album Ascending to Infinity, titled "Dark Fate of Atlantis". On September 5, 2013, the band performed at the Prog Power festival in Atlanta USA, in what is, to date, the band's first scheduled tour outside of Europe. The band has two studio albums in total, Ascending to Infinity (2012), and Prometheus, Symphonia Ignis Divinus (2015).
The band defines its musical style as "cinematic metal", so each album can be listened to like a film soundtrack. (Filmscore)
On August 16, 2011 the band Rhapsody of Fire announces on its website that Luca Turilli, the lead guitarist of the band and also one of the two composers of the band with Alex Staropoli decides to leave the band. After 10 concept albums with Rhapsody of Fire, Luca was ready for a new challenge, these 10 concept albums were together 1 big story, so 1 concept for 10 albums. The band announces that this separation is amicable and that Luca Turilli will form his own band, Luca Turilli's Rhapsody.
He is joined by the two Frenchmen from the band Rhapsody of Fire, bassist Patrice Guers and former guitarist Dominique Leurquin. Luca Turilli will took care of the lead guitars but also the keyboards. For copyright reasons, he adds his name to the band to found Luca Turilli's Rhapsody.
Alex Holzwarth, the drummer of Rhapsody of Fire, also joins the band at its beginnings, and played in both bands. However, in 2012 Alex left due to the impossibility to be fully in both bands, and was replaced by Alex Landenburg, who plays from 2019 in Kamelot.
First album, Ascending to Infinity (2012)
On January 30, 2012, the band announces the release of their debut album Ascending to Infinity, scheduled for June, also considered the 11th Rhapsody of Fire album. March 30, 2012, the band introduces its new singer, Alessandro Conti, who comes from the same Conservatory as Luciano Pavarotti. Alex Holzwarth also announces his departure from the band, because it is impossible for him to play in both bands. He was replaced by the former drummer of Annihilator, Axxis and Stratovarius, Alex Landenburg.
On May 22, 2012 the band releases the first single from the album Ascending to Infinity , titled "Dark Fate of Atlantis". The song is accompanied by a music video that shows the new artistic direction taken by Luca Turilli, instead of the swords and dragons from all the songs on the Rhapsody of Fire albums give way to a post-apocalyptic world. A second video made was made for the song "Clash of the Titans" confirms the new artistic direction taken by Luca Turilli where the post-apocalyptic side is once again omnipresent. The album, which includes nine tracks, is released on June 22, 2012.
A cover of the song "March of Time" by the band Helloween appears on the collector's edition. This cover also appears on the Japanese version of the album along with a cover of the song "In the Mirror" by the band Loudness. It was rather well received by critics who praised its production and sound quality.
The album is followed by a tour titled, Cinematic World Tour, which begins in Annecy, France, on November 9, 2012. The group is accompanied for the occasion by the groups Vexillum, Orden Ogan and Freedom Call who will play as opening act. The group also announces that the German soprano Sassy Bernaert will participate in the tour and that the keyboards will be played by the Finnish Mikko Härkin.
The tour finally ends with a concert in Paris on December 9, 2012. During the tour, the band plays songs from the new album as well as old songs from the Rhapsody of Fire era, as well as songs from Luca Turilli's former solo projects.
For the Cinematic World Tour, Luca calls on Mikko Härkin, whom he met when Mikko was the keyboard player of Sonata Arctica who played with Rhapsody of Fire in the opening act for Stratovarius during a tour around 2001. Already present as a soprano on the album Ascending to Infinity, Sassy Bernaert is also part of the Cinematic World Tour in order to sing a duet with Alessandro Conti, notably on the song "Tormento e Passione".
Second album, Prometheus, Symphonia Ignis Divinus 2015
In January 2013, the band announced a long-term collaboration with the Capellen Orchestra and Choir, a Czech orchestra conducted by Petr Pololanik who had previously worked with Rhapsody of Fire on the album Symphony of Enchanted Lands II: The Dark Secret. September 5, 2013, the band performed at the Prog Power festival in Atlanta USA, in what is, to date, the band's first scheduled date outside of Europe.
The band returned to the road in 2016 for a new world tour that would cross Europe and the entire American continent. On the Prometheus Cinematic Tour, the band was accompanied by two additional singers, soprano Emilie Ragni and Italian opera tenor Riccardo Cecchi. French singer Emilie Ragni is taking part in the Prometheus Cinematic Tour as a soprano in place of Sassy Bernaert, who took part in the Cinematic World Tour in 2012.
She sings on both of the band's albums, as well as on Rhapsody of Fire and Luca Turilli's previous solo project. She is accompanied by Italian opera tenor Riccardo Cecchi. She was previously part of the band Sucré Salé with guitarist Dominique Leurquin. Vannick Eymery is also taking part in the tour as a keyboard player in place of Mikko Härkin. Vannick is also the keyboard player for the French metal band Broken Mirrors. He also plays the same position in the Pop-rock band Cleoh, which Emilie is also a member of.
Hiatus and Zero Gravity (Rebirth And Evolution) (2018)
On June 20, 2018, Luca Turili announces on the band's official Facebook page that Luca Turilli's Rhapsody is going on indefinite hiatus, due to the band members' other musical commitments and projects, such as vocalist Alessandro Conti who has been announced to become the new vocalist for Power Metal band Twilight Force.
However, shortly after, Luca Turilli and Fabio Lione, another member of the original Rhapsody of Fire, announced that they were founding a new group using the name Rhapsody: Turilli / Lione Rhapsody.
Turilli / Lione Rhapsody released one album in 2019, Zero Gravity (Rebirth and Evolution)
Because of the COVID 19 epidemic they had to stop with the Tour in South America. Following the conclusion of the Latin American tour in January and February 2023 as their final tour, the band disbanded, with an announcement prior that they would be "closing the chapter of their career for good". Prior to closing it, the band did their final tour in Latin America, and they were celebrating it by performing a “Greatest Hits” set every night including the band’s hits and fan favourites.
Albums
Ascending to Infinity (2012)
Prometheus, Symphonia Ignis Divinus (2015)
Prometheus - Cinematic And Live (2016)
Final lineup
Alessandro Conti – lead vocals (2011–2018)
Luca Turilli – lead and rhythm guitar, keyboards (2011–2018)
Dominique Leurquin – lead and rhythm guitar (2011–2018)
Patrice Guers – bass (2011–2018)
Alex Landenburg – drums (2012–2018)
Former member
Alex Holzwarth – drums (2011–2012)
Former live members
Mikko Härkin – keyboards (2012–2014)
Sassy Bernaert - vocals (2012)
Emilie Ragni - vocals (2016)
Vannick Eymery – keyboards (2016)
Source: Translated from the French Wikipedia, English Wikipedia, and a little bit from me