Riz Ortolani was a renowned Italian composer celebrated for his contributions to film music. Born Riziero Ortolani on March 25, 1926, in Pesaro, Italy, he began his career as an arranger and composer in the early 1950s but garnered worldwide recognition in the 1960s with the success of the theme song from the controversial documentary "Mondo Cane" (1962). The song "More" became an international hit and was subsequently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Ortolani's career spanned over half a century, during which he composed upwards of 200 scores.
Ortolani was known for his versatility and ability to compose music that seamlessly blended with the storytelling of films. His work covered a wide range of genres, from spaghetti westerns to horror and drama. Among his notable scores are those for "The Yellow Rolls-Royce" (1964), "The 7th Dawn" (1964), and the classic "Cannibal Holocaust" (1980). His music often brought a sense of elegance and poignancy to the silver screen, which secured his place as one of Italy's most prominent cinematic composers. He passed away on January 23, 2014, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence the film music industry and resonate with audiences worldwide.
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