Two more of the big three of Italian progressive rock, drama against melody: Banco del Mutuo Soccorso vs Le Orme. Banco make theatrical, operatic, literary prog crowned by Francesco Di Giacomo’s vast voice; Le Orme make warm, romantic, keyboard-led symphonic prog built on melody and grace. Grand theatre against lyrical beauty. So which titan wins? Round by round, here is the verdict.

The short version

The quick verdict: Banco edge it — the more dramatic, complex and ambitious of the two. But Le Orme hit back with a melodic warmth that made them one of Italy’s best-loved bands. This is two more pillars of Rock Progressivo Italiano, close as ever.

Round 1: Origins and era

Le Orme came first, forming near Venice in 1966 before turning to prog; Banco assembled in Rome in 1969. Both are founding giants of Rock Progressivo Italiano, but Le Orme’s roots run a little deeper. The edge goes to Le Orme.

Round 2: Sound and style

Here Banco stake their claim. Theirs is a grand, theatrical, operatic prog — twin keyboards, literary lyrics and Francesco Di Giacomo’s vast, dramatic voice, unlike anything else in the genre. Le Orme are warmer and more melodic; Banco are more ambitious and more singular. The edge goes to Banco.

Round 3: The peak albums

Both offer masterpiece runs. Banco give us their debut, the magnificent Darwin! and Io Sono Nato Libero; Le Orme answer with Collage, Uomo di Pezza and the wonderful Felona e Sorona. Both are cornerstones of Italian prog. Too close to separate — a draw.

Round 4: Musicianship

Here Banco edge it. Their music is the more complex and demanding — the interplay of the Nocenzi brothers’ twin keyboards, intricate arrangements and Di Giacomo’s operatic power. Le Orme are excellent and beautifully melodic, but Banco reach for more. Edge: Banco.

Round 5: Influence and legacy

A close one between two revered institutions. Banco, like PFM, took Italian prog abroad via ELP’s Manticore label and are held in the highest artistic regard; Le Orme are among the most beloved and best-selling bands the country produced. Both shaped the genre profoundly, at home and beyond. We call it a draw.

The scorecard

Five rounds, tallied up.

Love a good prog argument? The books settle plenty of their own →

The verdict: who wins

On the scorecard, Banco edge it — the more dramatic and ambitious of two wonderful bands, and one of the two summits of Italian prog. Guided by founder Vittorio Nocenzi and crowned by the extraordinary voice of Francesco Di Giacomo, who died in 2014, they made some of the most theatrical and singular prog Italy ever produced. But Le Orme lose nothing here. Built on Aldo Tagliapietra’s voice and Toni Pagliuca’s keyboards, they gave the genre a melodic beauty that Italy still cherishes. Banco win on points; Le Orme win the argument about sheer melodic grace. Both are pillars of Rock Progressivo Italiano.

Who is it for

Choose Banco if you want Italian prog at its most dramatic and ambitious — operatic, literary, gloriously theatrical. Choose Le Orme if you want it at its most melodic and warm — romantic, lyrical, keyboard-led symphonic prog. Grand theatre or lyrical beauty; two of the finest bands Italy ever gave the genre.

Go deeper

Keep the debate going: complete the big three with PFM vs Banco and Le Orme vs PFM, see how Banco fare against Area, and browse every showdown at our prog rock band comparisons hub.

Go deeper on each band: rank every record with Banco del Mutuo Soccorso albums ranked and Le Orme albums ranked, find the essentials in our best Banco del Mutuo Soccorso albums and best Le Orme albums guides, or count down their finest tracks with the best Banco del Mutuo Soccorso songs and best Le Orme songs.

Enjoyed the debate? Find your next read on the bookshelf below →