Role

:

Composer Conductor

Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

September 4, 1931 in Pesaro, Italy

Death

:

January 23, 2014

Genre

:

Film

 

Riziero Ortolani, better known as Riz Ortolani, was an Italian composer of classical music, film scores, and pop music. He was born on March 25, 1926, in Pesaro, Italy, and died on January 23, 2014, in Rome, Italy. Ortolani was a prolific composer who wrote over 200 scores for films and television shows, as well as numerous classical and pop music pieces. Ortolani grew up in a musical family, and his father was a conductor and composer. He began studying music at a young age and attended the Conservatory of Santa Cecilia in Rome, where he studied composition and orchestration. After completing his studies, Ortolani began working as a composer and arranger for Italian radio and television. Ortolani's first major success as a composer came in 1962 when he wrote the score for the film "Mondo Cane." The film was a documentary that showcased bizarre and shocking customs and traditions from around the world. Ortolani's score for the film included the hit song "More," which became a worldwide hit and won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Theme in 1964. Ortolani continued to write scores for films throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including "The Yellow Rolls-Royce," "The 7th Dawn," and "The Valachi Papers." He also wrote the score for the 1971 film "Cannibal Holocaust," which is considered one of the most controversial and disturbing films ever made. Ortolani's score for the film was praised for its haunting and atmospheric qualities, but the film itself was widely criticized for its graphic violence and exploitation of indigenous people. In addition to his work in film, Ortolani also wrote classical and pop music pieces. He wrote several operas, including "Il Corazziere" and "I Promessi Sposi," as well as numerous orchestral works and chamber music pieces. Ortolani also wrote pop songs, including "Till the End of Time," which was recorded by Perry Como and became a hit in the United States. Ortolani's music was known for its lush orchestration and emotional depth. He was skilled at creating memorable melodies and using instrumentation to create a specific mood or atmosphere. His music was often used to enhance the emotional impact of a scene in a film or television show. Ortolani received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1972 for "Till Love Touches Your Life" from the film "Madame Rosa." He also won several awards for his film scores, including the David di Donatello Award for Best Score in 1971 for "The Anonymous Venetian" and the Nastro d'Argento Award for Best Score in 1972 for "The Valachi Papers." Ortolani's legacy as a composer continues to be celebrated today. His music has been used in numerous films and television shows, and his influence can be heard in the work of contemporary composers. Ortolani's ability to create music that was both emotionally powerful and technically impressive has made him one of the most respected and beloved composers of classical music and film scores.

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