The newly reissued version of Dreaming A Human Symphony

The recent reissue of Dreaming A Human Symphony, Tony Carnevale’s rock opera released nearly 10 years ago, lets us revisit it as a true masterpiece—let’s break it down.

The Roman keyboardist, who has a solo discography, is also a composer for films and TV shows. He’s one of the few solo artists featured in the L’Italia del Rock encyclopedia and is mentioned in several music industry books.

He creates a rock opera that becomes a benchmark, blending symphonic concepts with theatrical musical styles. This new direction shows his ease with vocal tracks, which were less common in his previous works.
Carnevale doesn’t linger in the prog space but moves toward epic, pomp, and even AOR styles.

As demonstrated by songs like “Sing Me Another Song” and “…Where A Flower Can Stay,” both have potential for success on the U.S. charts—if only the promotional support had been different.

It’s also surprising to hear the iconic Italian prog voice of Francesco Di Giacomo on a track that doesn’t sound like prog at all but instead leans toward pure rock with a powerful, uplifting energy in “The Power of Freedom.” This track is a testament to the late Di Giacomo’s versatility, showcasing an impeccable performance.

The album also marks one of the last studio recordings of Di Giacomo and Rodolfo Maltese, who had been frequent collaborators on Carnevale’s projects. Their presence reflects not just a strong friendship but also a deep mutual respect that endured over time.

(Gianluca Livi)