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Discography
Members featured in the album
LUIS SAEZ - Guitars and vocals
RICARDO TERSSE - Electric bass
CECILIA GLARIA - Flute
JOSÉ LUIS TENUTA - Guitar
RICARDO BONETTO - Drums
SILVIA LÓPEZ ROSAS - Vocals and chorus
CRISTIAN CANTERO - Chorus
ROSSANA SARUBI - Chorus
DANIEL CARLI - Violin
Members featured in the album
LUIS SAEZ - Guitars and vocals
RICARDO TERSSE - Electric bass and chorus
RICARDO BONETTO - Drums, percussion and chorus
CECILIA GLARIA - Flute
ARCHI BASÍLICO - Guitarrs and chorus
LAURA FAZZIO - Keyboards, flute and chorus
ALEJANDRA BERNIE - Vocals and chorus
GRACIELA GIROTTI - Chorus
MARCELA CANALIS - Chorus
GRACIELA CASSANO - Chorus
Guest musician:
ENRIQUE SCHUSSLER - Violin
Biography
Agnus's original formation began to take shape from the idea of guitarist Luis Sáez in the city of Santa Fe in late 1973. Along with Alberto Mantaras on bass, Danilo Baroni on drums, and "Pacu" Bailon on guitar and vocals, they formed a band called Dapalu. At first, it seemed like it would be a contemporary group with structured work, but that wasn't the case; quite the opposite, they had total freedom to create and disseminate their work, not caring how the compositional line developed.
In early 1974, Dapalu came to an end with the departure of Mantaras and Baroni. Sáez and Bailon, along with Héctor Malizia on bass and vocals and Alberto Comer on drums, formed the first lineup they called Agnus. However, an average of 11 musicians would later be part of this project.
They began playing in small theaters and clubs in the province of Santa Fe, promoting their concerts by word of mouth. They often shared their performances with groups like Magma or Caballo Alado, always independently and self-produced. Their music was inspired by the new sounds of English Symphonic Rock, with the addition of flutes, based on clear influences from Jethro Tull and Medieval Music, thus giving a distinct nuance to what was commonly heard. But they also added local influences, as they liked Almendra and progressive bands like Crucis, Aquelarre, etc. They then planned to record a cassette through their own company, "Marvus," and at that time, they were the first Contemporary Music group from Santa Fe to enter a recording studio privately and independently. Their organization devised a system that attracted a number of people interested in their proposal and then invited them to their concerts across the country, where they sold their music.
In 1977, Agnus underwent another significant lineup change, still led by guitarist Luis Sáez. He was joined by José Luis Tenutta on guitar, Ricardo Tersse on bass, Ricardo Bonetto on drums, Susana and Cristina Cantero on vocals, Rossana Sarubbi on vocals, and Enrique Schussler on violin. The following year, Cecilia Glaría joined on flute, while Schussler departed and was replaced by Daniel Carli. This lineup performed at the First Contemporary Music Encounter held on December 10, 1978, at the Juan de
Beginning in 1979, more changes occurred, Tenutta and the previous vocalists left. New members included César Constanzo on keyboards, Laura Fazio and Chela Cassano on vocals, Mercedes Robledo on vocals and additional flute, and Archi and Daría Basílico on guitar. This formation performed at the Second Contemporary Music Encounter, also held at the Juan de Garay Amphitheater on December 9, 1978 (note: the text seems to have a typo here, as the second encounter is listed before the first).
For Agnus, independent production fostered a much closer dialogue with their audience. Their initial projects aimed to connect with other artistic expressions like ballet, cinema, photography, and painting. They also invited musicians from diverse genres (Classical, Folk, Urban, Aleatory) to enrich their musical scope. They cultivated a dedicated core of followers who attended all their performances. The band communicated their shows via phone or mail, announcing activities and maintaining a mutual exchange. They even provided followers with a membership card offering discounts on shows. Like bands such as M.I.A. and Redd, Agnus was committed to independent production and self-management.
Agnus in the 1980s: From Debut Album to Disbandment
At the start of 1980, Constanzo left the band, and Agnus performed at the First Regional Contemporary Music Festival in Pilar, Santa Fe, on February 9th. Thanks to the earnings from their tours and cassette sales, they finally had enough money to record their long-awaited album.
Between June and July 1980, they recorded and mixed in Buenos Aires at Recordex studios on 4 channels. They only managed to record the first three of the five original movements of their work. The band for this recording included Luis Sáez and Archi Basílico on guitar and backing vocals; Ricardo Tersse on bass and backing vocals; Ricardo Bonetto on drums and backing vocals; Cecilia Glaría on transverse flute; Laura Fazzio on keyboards, recorder, and backing vocals; and Alejandra Bernie on lead vocals, joined by a choir composed of Chela Cassano, Marcela Canalis, and Graciela Girotti. Enrique Schussler also contributed on violin.
This lineup allowed them to release their first and only album, titled "Pinturas y Expresiones" (Paintings and Expressions). It featured cover art by Leónidas Noriega and was released on both LP vinyl and cassette under their own label, "Dipíscopu," which had changed its name from "Marvus" due to legal issues.
Following the album's release, Agnus embarked on a series of live performances. The first was organized with the groups Oasis and Crisis in Rosario at the Lavardén Auditorium on August 8, 1980, where they performed part of the album. They then went on a tour along the coast with Magma.
With the album in hand, they received an invitation from the group M.I.A. to join their concert series in Buenos Aires. After a conference in Santa Fe for a cultural series, the Buenos Aires event took place on September 29, 1980, at the Teatro Lassalle. That night, the band featured Ricardo Bonetto (drums), Ricardo Tersse (bass), Luis Sáez (guitar and vocals), Archi Basílico (guitar and vocals), and Cecilia Glaría (transverse flute). The choir included Graciela Girotti, Graciela Cassano, Marcela Canalis, Alejandra Bernié, and Laura Fazzio. They also had the support of Daniel Ferronato (guitar) and Daniel Carli (violin), and introduced a new member, keyboardist Daniel Olguín. At this show, they played their entire repertoire alongside other regional bands, such as Irreal from Rosario and Redd and Vassa from Tucumán. Their performance was highly praised by Pelo magazine.
After their Buenos Aires show, the LP was presented in Rafaela and Santa Fe, incorporating a grand stage with actors and choreography. This impressive presentation led to numerous invitations for further concerts. However, the relentless grind of touring and shows eventually took its toll, and the group gradually wore down, with members seeking new directions until the band finally disbanded in 1982.
Agnus's sole album would later be rescued and reissued in 1996, the Brazilian label PRW released it on CD.
Years later, in 2024, the European label PQR Disques Plusqueréel reissued their first album in LP vinyl format.
In July 2025, it will be re-released again in CD format with a remastered version plus bonus tracks by Viajero Inmóvil Records label, also reissue a previously unreleased live recording from 1978, featuring nine unheard tracks rescued from an old cassette.
Information
* Book - Protagonistas de la Música Progresiva Argentina