Italian multi-instrumentalist and composer Roberto Vitelli returns with Mere, On Stage! (AMS Records AMS355CD, 2025), the second live album from his progressive rock project Ellesmere. Recorded during the 2024 edition of the Prog & Frogs festival.
Ellesmere’s musical direction shifted dramatically after its acoustic-leaning debut, Les Châteaux de la Loire. Beginning with From Sea and Beyond, the project embraced a symphonic and prog-rock sound, often touching on hard rock. This evolution was shaped by Vitelli’s collaborations with internationally renowned musicians.
The live set features John Wilkinson (vocals), David Jackson (saxophone), Maurizio Guarini (keyboards), Giacomo Anselmi (guitar), Fabio Bonuglia (keyboards), and Diego Bertocci (bass). The performance builds in intensity, with the second half highlighting longer, more complex compositions.
As a bonus, the album includes Ellesmere’s first cover: a studio version of Procol Harum’s “Broken Barricades.”
Ellesmere discography: Les Châteaux De La Loire (2015), II – From Sea And Beyond (2018), Wyrd (2020), LIVEsmere (2022), and Stranger Skies (2024).