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Renzo Rossellini

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Renzo Rossellini was an Italian composer, music critic and music teacher. He was born on 2 February 1908 in Rome and died on 13 May 1982 in Monte Carlo. His elder brother was the film director Roberto Rossellini. Many musicians and artists visited the family home, among them Franco Alfano, Pietro Mascagni, Giacomo Puccini and Ottorino Respighi. He studied at the Santa Cecilia conservatoire in Rome, worked as a critic for the newspaper Il Messaggero and taught, including at the conservatoire in Pesaro. In 1946 he was co-founder of the Italian musicians' union.

Music and breakthrough

He began composing in the 1920s, his first published piece being the song Le cennamelle from 1927. His oeuvre includes some one hundred and thirty film scores, ten operas, four ballets, two oratorios, cantatas, symphonies, chamber music and vocal music. He wrote the music for several of his brother's films, including Rome, Open City from 1945 and Paisan from 1946. From 1972 to 1976 he was artistic director of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo.

Influence

Rossellini is best known for his film music, which stood close to the images of Italian postwar neorealism. He also stood for a broad conception of the composer's profession: opera, ballet and concert music, alongside work for film. He shows how film music in Italy was part of ordinary musical practice.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to the music for Rome, Open City and notice how the music supports the images. Does it stand out, or does it stay in the background?

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: ArtistsItalian neorealism