Riz Ortolani

Full biography Riz Ortolani

Riziero Ortolani was an Italian composer , conductor and orchestrator who was born on March 25, 1926, and passed away on January 23, 2014, in Rome, Italy at the age of 87. He started his career in the early 1950s and quickly became one of Italy's most prolific and successful film composers, writing music for over 200 films.

Some of Ortolani's most famous compositions include "More," which he wrote for the 1962 documentary film "Mondo Cane," and "Till the End of Time," which he wrote for the war drama film "The Last Days of Pompeii" in 1959. "More" won a 1964 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Theme and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song in the same year.

In addition to his film work , Ortolani also composed music for television, theater, and classical concert performance. He worked with many notable directors including Federico Fellini, Vittorio De Sica, and Dario Argento.

Apart from his work, Ortolani was also known for his philanthropic and humanitarian efforts. He supported various charity organizations and traveled worldwide to perform benefit concerts for the underprivileged.

Ortolani's legacy continues to be celebrated today, as his compositions have been featured in numerous films, television shows, commercials, and other media. In December 2020, Wise Music Group acquired his entire music catalog.