Naples band Il Balletto di Bronzo released only two albums, “Sirio 2222” (RCA Italiana, 1970) and “Ys” (Polydor, 1972).
“Ys” was by far the most iconic, a mix of British style progressive rock, psychedelia and Italian classical influences. It was a concept album based on the legend of Ys, a lost French city. The influential album included four parts: “Introduzione”, “Primo Incontro”, “Secondo Incontro” and “Terzo Incontro ed Epilogo”.
Written by Gianni Leone, ‘Ys” was one of the finest examples of Italian symphonic progressive rock. It quickly became a collector’s item and was highly sought by collectors worldwide. Eventually, “Ys” was reissued in Italy, South Korea and Japan.
The lineup on “Ys” included Lino Ajello on guitar; Giancarlo Stinga on drums; former Città Frontale musician Gianni Leone on vocals, piano, Hammond organ, Moog synthesizer, Mellotron, spinet, celesta; and former Quelle Strane Cose Che member Vito Manzari on bass. Guests included Giusy Romeo, Rosanna Baldassari and Flavia Baldassari on backing vocals.