Errata Corrige are one of the gentler, more obscure treasures of the Italian progressive scene — a Turin quartet whose sole album, recorded almost as a farewell after the band had already broken up, is a dreamy, pastoral gem. Soft, acoustic and fantasy-tinged, it has become a sought-after rarity and a quiet favourite among lovers of the genre’s tender side.

The short version

Active in Turin from 1974, Errata Corrige played a delicate, melodic symphonic-folk prog built on flute, keyboards, acoustic guitar and even cello. Their only album, “Siegfried, il Drago e Altre Storie” (1976), was recorded after the band had effectively disbanded, as a document of their music. Pastoral and charming, recalling the likes of Celeste and early Genesis, it is a lovely, overlooked corner of the RPI world.

Turin, 1974: a band that recorded after the end

Errata Corrige took shape in Turin around 1974, beginning life as a nameless trio before growing into a quartet. They adopted the name Errata Corrige only when guitarist Mike Abate joined, replacing their previous guitarist, and in their early days they recorded a couple of demo-tapes. The classic line-up paired Abate with multi-instrumentalist Marco Cimino — on flute, keyboards and cello — bassist Gianni Cremona and drummer Guido Giovine. Unusually, the album for which they are remembered came after the band had already run its course: following their final concert at Turin’s Teatro Carignano in June 1975 and the breakup that followed, the musicians went into the studio to commit some of their compositions to tape as a lasting record of what they had done.

Gentle, pastoral symphonic-folk

Errata Corrige belonged to the softer, more pastoral wing of Italian prog. Theirs was a delicate, dreamy music, built largely on acoustic textures — flute, piano and synthesizer, acoustic guitar, sweet Italian vocal harmonies, and the distinctive, slightly haunting colour of Marco Cimino’s cello — with electric guitar used sparingly and tastefully. Fantasy-inspired and faintly medieval in mood, full of gentle melody and graceful arrangements with occasional shifts and complexities, it drew comparisons to the likes of Celeste, Pierrot Lunaire and Locanda delle Fate, and even to the early, pre-Trespass Genesis. This was progressive rock at its most tranquil and charming.

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Siegfried, il Drago e Altre Storie

The band’s sole album, “Siegfried, il Drago e Altre Storie” (1976) — “Siegfried, the Dragon and Other Stories” — gathered their compositions in a set of fantasy-inspired songs and dreamy soft-prog atmospheres. Privately pressed and issued in small numbers, it has long been one of the rarest and most sought-after items of the 1970s Italian scene. Its half-dozen tracks — sung in Italian, save for one lovely English-language number — move gently between flute, acoustic guitar, piano and cello, with Abate’s tasteful electric leads adding warmth. Far from a bombastic statement, it is a record of quiet beauty, and one that has earned a devoted following among those who treasure the gentler side of RPI.

Album by album

A single, gently beautiful album of pastoral prog. Tap the title for its guide.

The players and afterwards

Errata Corrige brought together guitarist Mike Abate, multi-instrumentalist Marco Cimino, bassist Gianni Cremona and drummer Guido Giovine. After the band’s definitive split, the most active musically was Marco Cimino, who went on to play with notable Italian groups including Arti e Mestieri, as well as Esagono and the Piedmontese folk group La Ciapa Rusa, and helped found a Turin jazz label. Decades later, in 2015, the four original members reunited to make new recordings of their album, a fitting tribute to a much-loved cult record. The 1976 album, though, remains their legacy.

Where to start

There is only one place to begin: “Siegfried, il Drago e Altre Storie” (1976). Best heard in a calm moment, it rewards the listener with gentle, pastoral beauty, lovely flute and acoustic textures, and a dreamy, fantasy-tinged atmosphere. Not a grand or complex statement, but a genuinely charming one, it is a delight for anyone drawn to the softer side of Italian prog.

Why they still matter

Errata Corrige are a fine example of the hidden depths of the Italian progressive scene — a band who, almost as an afterthought, left behind a single album of real gentleness and charm. Pastoral, acoustic and quietly beautiful, “Siegfried, il Drago e Altre Storie” has outlived its humble, privately pressed origins to become a cherished rarity, beloved by those who know it. For listeners exploring the tender, folk-tinged corners of RPI, beyond its grander names, Errata Corrige are a rewarding and lovely discovery.

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