LE LEGIONI DI CLEOPATRA

We are particularly proud to present on this CD the premiere release of Renzo Rossellini’s complete original score for “Le legioni di Cleopatra”. Directed by Vittorio Cottafavi in 1959, film told the tragic romance of Cleopatra and Antony.
Rossellini, was one of the pioneers of Italian film music and he composed the music for more than 90 films between 1936 and 1965. His music for the Cottafavi picture is lush, passionate and operatic, but it can also be intimate and delicate with exquisite use of woodwind soli for the romantic night scenes. All in all, it is a multi- faceted score rich in themes which are constantly varied on a refined level.

On the master tapes we have also found two surprising demo versions for piano and bass drum of the two dances in the film and have added them as bonus tracks at the end of the CD. May our CD contribute to the rediscovery of an extraordinary Italian Golden Age score and its fascinating, but totally neglected composer.

Due to the age of this soundtrack the original mastertapes had some defects and anomalies which we tried to correct as best as possible during the mastering process. Although the sound quality in some tracks could not be improved, we have nevertheles decided to include them in this edition for their historical and musical value. Limited Edition. --- from the label.

1. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Main Title) 2:16
2. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Fight at the Beach) 2:50
3. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Arrival of Mark Antony) 2:07
4. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Fight in the Tavern) 1:34
5. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (The Dwarf) 1:40
6. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Daughter of Amon-Ra) 1:17
7. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Slave Market) 2:54
8. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Berenice’s Dance) 4:27
9. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (The Kiss - Divine Augustus - War Plans) 3:02
10. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Meeting with Berenice) 2:09
11. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Rome Salutes You - The Roman Must Die - Leave This Land) 2:11
12. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Goodbye Marianne)1:41
13. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Cleopatra in Love) 1:15
14. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Berenice and Marianne - Dance for Cleopatra) 2:32
15. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Attack in the Cave - Death of the Child) 3:04
16. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Curridio Follows Berenice - Unmasks Cleopatra) 2:03
17. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Cleopatra’s Destiny) 1:32
18. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Curridio’s Rescue at Sea) 3:25
19. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Curridio Meets Augustus) 1:49
20. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Preparations for Battle) 2:06
21. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (The Battle - Part 1) 3:42
22. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (The Battle - Part 2) 3:24
23. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Antony’s Farewell to Cleopatra) 1:24
24. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Cleopatra in Her Chariot) 1:43
25. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Cleopatra Negotiates with Augustus - Return to the Palace) 2:25
26. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Antony’s Death) 2:06
27. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (News from Alexandria - Curridio Rides to Alexandria - Augustus’ Entry into Alexandria) 3:15 28. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Joined in Death) 1:19
29. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Finale) 1:16
Bonus Tracks
30. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Berenice’s Dance - Demo Version) 3:09
31. Le Legioni di Cleopatra (Dance for Cleopatra - Demo Version) 3:06