Franco Battiato

Genesi (Opera in Tre Atti)" is a three-act opera composed by Franco Battiato, premiered at the Teatro Regio in Parma on April 26, 1987. This release captures the live recording from subsequent performances in late April and early May 1987, released on CD by Fonit Cetra.

​The story unfolds with gods observing humanity's decline and contemplating a new flood, but they send four archangels as human messengers to Earth. The archangels discover a secretive brotherhood devoted to sacred dance and esoteric traditions, led by a meditative singer, leading to the construction of a spaceship for a transcendent journey. Upon return, teachings from ancient texts like the Bhagavad Gita are shared, but humanity corrupts them, ending with the archangels' departure amid a Gloria.

​Structured across three acts with 21 tracks, it features an orchestra introduction, solos, chorus, and recitative voice, blending orchestral, electronic, and pop elements. Notable tracks include "I cavalieri della solitudine," "Hazreti Mevlana," and "Albinoni, Albeniz, Bach, ecc.," incorporating adapted ancient texts from Sanskrit, Persian, Greek, and Turkish.

​Key vocalists include sopranos Donatella Saccardi and Louisa Kennedy, tenor Vincenzo La Scola, baritone Nicolas Christou, and voice Juri Camisasca. The Orchestra Sinfonica dell'Emilia Romagna "Arturo Toscanini" was conducted by Alessandro Nidi, with the Coro del Teatro Regio di Parma led by Adolfo Tanzi.