Stelvio Cipriani

Stelvio Cipriani (20 August 1937 – 1 October 2018), also known as Viostel, was an Italian composer, mostly of motion picture soundtracks, conductor and pianist.

Biography

Though not raised with a strong musical upbringing, as a child Cipriani was fascinated by his church's organ. His priest gave Cipriani his first music lessons and encouraged the boy and his family. Cipriani attended the Santa Cecilia Conservatory starting at the age of 14. Around this time, he played in cruise ship bands, enabling him to meet Dave Brubeck. Upon returning to Italy, he began working as piano accompaniment for Rita Pavone.

Cipriani's first soundtrack was for the Spaghetti Western The Bounty Killer (1966). This was followed by his more widely known score for The Stranger Returns (a 1967 film, also known by the alternate titles A Man, a Horse, a Gun and Shoot First, Laugh Last, starring Tony Anthony). Cipriani would go on to compose other Spaghetti Western scores and also began composing poliziottesco soundtracks.

Cipriani became prolific in the Italian film world, eventually garnering a Nastro d'Argento for Best Score award for The Anonymous Venetian (1970). Furthermore, one of Cipriani's most famous scores would come about in 1973, the soundtrack for La polizia sta a guardare (The Great Kidnapping). The main theme was recycled by Cipriani in 1974 and 1977 for the scores to La polizia chiede aiuto and Tentacoli. This track was brought to the public's attention again in 2007 when it was featured in Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof. Some of the themes from La polizia sta a guardare were also used by Hélène Cattet & Bruno Forzani in the soundtrack for their first feature Amer. Cipriani was also noted for his score of the 1979 film The Concorde Affair.

In a 2007 interview, Cipriani said that he had composed music for Pope John Paul II and was working with Pope Benedict XVI.

In October 2023, Cipriani was cited by local news agency :it:Italpress as one of the greatest composers in the world, alongside others such as Ennio Morricone, Piero Piccioni, Piero Umiliani, Philippe Sarde and François De Roubaix.

Selected filmography Year Film Directed by Notes Latest CD / Digital Release 1966 The Bounty Killer Eugenio Martín a.k.a. The Ugly Ones GDM / GDM 4155 / 2012 1967 The Stranger Returns Luigi Vanzi a.k.a. A Man, a Horse, a Gun GDM / GDM 4154 / 2012 1968 Luana, The Girl Tarzan Roberto Infascelli as Bob Raymond Beat Records Company / BCM9532 / 2015 The Silent Stranger Luigi Vanzi 1969 Law of Violence Gianni Crea GDM / GDM 4311 / 2013 The Thirteen Chairs Nicolas Gessner a.k.a. Twelve Plus One Digitmovies / CDDM203 / 2012 Agguato Sul Bosforo Luigi Batzella as Paull' Hamus GDM / GDM 4323 / 2014 The Laughing Woman Piero Schivazappa also "Femina Ridens" Digitmovies / CDDM103 / 2008 War Devils Bitto Albertini as Bert Albertini Kronos Records / KRONGOLD017 / 2015 1970 Edipeon Lorenzo Artale Digitmovies / CDDM273 / 2015 Overrun! Mario Siciliano GDM / GDM 4118 / 2008 Whirlpool José Ramón Larraz as J.R. Larrath Digitmovies / CDDM204 / 2012 Le Mans, Shortcut to Hell Osvaldo Civirani as Richard Kean Digitmovies / CDDM221 / 2012 Rough Justice Mario Costa a.k.a. The Beast GDM / GDM 4122 / 2008 The Loves of Daphne Oscar Brazzi CAM / Digital / 2025 The Anonymous Venetian Enrico Maria Salerno Digitmovies / DPDM013 / 2013 The Lickerish Quartet Radley Metzger 1971 Sex of the Devil Oscar Brazzi Quartet Records / QR366 / 2019 Finders Killers Gianni Crea GDM / GDM 4122 / 2008 They Call Me Hallelujah Giuliano Carnimeo as Anthony Ascott GDM / GDM 4119 / 2008 The Lonely Violent Beach Ernesto Gastaldi a.k.a. Death Company Digitmovies / CDDM246 / 2013 Human Cobras Bitto Albertini Digitmovies / CDDM224 / 2012 I Due Della F.1 Alla Corsa Più Pazza, Pazza Del Mondo Osvaldo Civirani Digitmovies / DGST012 / 2016 The Iguana with the Tongue of Fire Riccardo Freda Digitmovies / CDDM069 / 2006 Twitch of the Death Nerve Mario Bava a.k.a. A Bay Of Blood Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 022 / 2016 Blindman Ferdinando Baldi Digitmovies / CDDM044 / 2005 The Two Big Shots Osvaldo Civirani CAM / Digital / 2025 Death Walks on High Heels Luciano Ercoli Digitmovies / CDDM056 / 2006 The Devil Has Seven Faces Osvaldo Civirani Digitmovies / CDDM267 / 2014 Deviation José Ramón Larraz Dagored / RED226 / 2016 1972 To Kill in Silence Giuseppe Rolando Quartet Records / QR189 / 2015 Baron Blood Mario Bava Digitmovies / CDDM046 / 2005 Execution Squad Steno Digitmovies / CDDM150 / 2009 The Boldest Job in the West José Antonio de la Loma a.k.a. Nevada GDM / CD CLUB 7114 / 2012 Timanfaya (Amor Prohibido) José Antonio de la Loma Quartet Records / MS019 / 2013 Return of Hallelujah Giuliano Carnimeo as Anthony Ascott GDM / GDM 4119 / 2008 The Killer Is on the Phone Alberto De Martino Digitmovies / CDDM212 / 2012 Night Hair Child James Kelley & Andrea Bianchi a.k.a. What The Peeper Saw Digitmovies / CDDM261 / 2014 Master of Love Brunello Rondi Digitmovies / DGST 049 / 2021 Il mio corpo con rabbia Roberto Natale CAM / Digital / 2025 Tragic Ceremony Riccardo Freda Digitmovies / CDDM204 / 2012 1973 Put Your Devil into My Hell Bitto Albertini Digitmovies / DGST 049 / 2021 The Countess Died of Laughter Franz Antel Digitmovies / DGST 049 / 2021 Le mataf Serge Leroy GDM / GDM 4165 / 2013 The Bloody Hands of the Law Mario Gariazzo Digitmovies / CDDM100 / 2007 The Great Kidnapping Roberto Infascelli Cinevox / OSTPK 041 / 2021 The Night of the Last Day Adimaro Sala a.k.a. La Notte Dell'Ultimo Giorno Quartet Records / QR421 / 2020 1974 El Ultimo Viaje José Antonio de la Loma Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 039 / 2023 The Student Connection Rafael Romero Marchent Penta Music / PTM008 / 2018 Emergency Squad Stelvio Massi Digitmovies / CDDM150 / 2009 The Sons of White Fang Maurizio Pradeaux GDM / CD CLUB 7120 / 2012 Processo Per Direttissima Lucio De Caro Quartet Records / QR421 / 2020 What Have They Done to Your Daughters? Massimo Dallamano Cinevox / OSTPK 041 / 2021 The Balloon Vendor Mario Gariazzo a.k.a. Last Moments Digitmovies / SPDM007 / 2012 Death Will Have Your Eyes Giovanni d'Eramo Beat Records Company / DDJ024 / 2013 Rabid Dogs Mario Bava Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 021 / 2016 1975 Blind Vendetta José Antonio de la Loma Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 028 / 2018 Evil Eye Mario Siciliano a.k.a. Malocchio / Eroticofollia Digitmovies / CDDM165 / 2010 The Great Adventure Gianfranco Baldanello GDM / GDM 4165 / 2013 Killer Cop Luciano Ercoli a.k.a. The Police Can't Move Cinevox / OSTPK 041 / 2021 The Cursed Medallion Massimo Dallamano a.k.a. The Night Child Digitmovies / CDDM165 / 2010 Mark of the Cop Stelvio Massi Cinevox / CDOSTPK018 / 2016 The 4 Of The Stonehearted Clan Joaquín Luis Romero Marchent Beat Records Company / BCM 9577 / 2016 Sins Without Intentions Theo Campanelli Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 038 / 2023 The Angels with Bound Hands Oscar Brazzi Beat Records Company / BCM 9568 / 2015 Ulli Lommel Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 026 / 2019 Due Cuori, Una Cappella Maurizio Lucidi Quartet Records / QRMM009 / 2012 Frankenstein - Italian Style Armando Crispino 1976 Where's Anna? Piero Schivazappa Digitmovies / SPDM014 / 2018 Blondy Sergio Gobbi a.k.a. Vortex Quartet Records / MS020 / 2013 Colt 38 Special Squad Massimo Dallamano Digitmovies / CDDM284 / 2018 Take All of Me Luigi Cozzi Quartet Records / QRSCE017 / 2010 The Mistress Is Served Mario Lanfranchi Beat Records Company / DDJ005 / 2011 Mark Strikes Again Stelvio Massi Deported Women of the SS Special Section Rino Di Silvestro Maria R. and the Angels of Trastevere Elfriede Gaeng Beat Records Company / BCM9575 / 2016 The Two Orphans Leopoldo Savona 1977 Tentacles Oliver Hellman as "S.W. Cipriani" Digitmovies / CDDM199 / 2011 Stunt Squad Domenico Paolella Highway Racer Stelvio Massi Digitmovies / DGST024 / 2017 Sister Emanuelle Giuseppe Vari The Marble Faun Silverio Blasi Digitmovies / SPDM006 / 2012 Double Game Carlo Ausino The Perfect Killer Mario Siciliano as Marlon Sirko Quartet Records / QR218 / 2016 Dear Wife Pasquale Festa Campanile Quartet Records / QR531 / 2023 1978 Last Touch of Love Filippo Ottoni a.k.a. The Day Santa Claus Cried Beat Records Company / BCM9534 / 2014 Fearless Stelvio Massi a.k.a. Magnum Cop Digitmovies / CDDM312 / 2020 The Bermuda Triangle René Cardona Jr. Digitmovies / CDDM143 / 2009 The Last Angels Enzo Doria Beat Records / DDJ032 / 2014 The Wild Geese Attack Again Mario Siciliano a.k.a. Skin 'Em Alive Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 025 / 2018 Bermuda: Cave of the Sharks Tonino Ricci as Anthony Richmond Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 018 / 2016 Covert Action Romolo Guerrieri Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 010 / 2011 The Bloodstained Shadow Antonio Bido Digitmovies / CDDM099 / 2007 Child of the Night Sergio Gobbi a.k.a. Enfantasme Beat Records / DDJ013 / 2011 Papaya, Love Goddess of the Cannibals Joe D'Amato Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 006 / 2010 Convoy Busters Stelvio Massi Target Guido Zurli Digitmovies / DGST019 / 2016 Secret Day Raimondo Del Balzo 1979 The Concorde Affair Ruggero Deodato a.k.a. Concorde Affaire '79 Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 012 / 2014 Tough to Kill Joe d'Amato Digitmovies / DGST038 / 2019 Encounters in the Deep Tonino Ricci as Anthony Richmond Digitmovies / CDDM143 / 2009 Raimondo Del Balzo Digitmovies / DGST023 / 2017 Raniero di Giovanbattista as Jonas Rainer Beat Records Company / DDJ021 / 2013 From Maid to Lady Vittorio De Sisti Beat Records / DDJ027 / 2013 Lady Lucifera José Ramón Larraz Quartet Records / QR269 / 2017 Hunted City Stelvio Massi Digitmovies / CDDM306 / 2020 The Great Alligator River Sergio Martino Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 017 / 2015 Ring of Darkness Pier Carpi as Peter Karp Digitmovies / CDDM052 / 2006 1980 Orgasmo Nero Joe D'Amato Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 014 / 2014 The Rebel Stelvio Massi Digitmovies / CDDM228 / 2012 The Iron Hand of the Mafia Roberto Girometti GDM / GDM 4311 / 2013 Speed Driver Stelvio Massi Beat Records / DDJ018 / 2012 Nightmare City Umberto Lenzi Quartet Records / QR484 / 2022 The Garden of Eden Yasuzô Masumura Quartet Records / QRMM003 / 2011 Desperate Moves Ovidio G. Assonitis a.k.a. The Rollerboy Beat Records / DDJ020 / 2012 1981 Blue Paradise Joe D'Amato as Anna Bergman Beat Records / DDJ022 / 2012 Last Harem Sergio Garrone as Willy S. Regan Quartet Records / QR174 /2015 Vultures over the City Gianni Siragusa Chris' Soundtrack Corner / CSC 023 / 2017 Piranha II: The Spawning James Cameron & Ovidio G. Assonitis as Steve Powder Digitmovies / CDDM005 / 2003 Pierino il fichissimo Alessandro Metz Beat Records / DDJ019 / 2012 1982 Pieces Juan Piquer Simón Gruppo Sugar / BOS 014 / 2016 1983 The House of the Yellow Carpet Carlo Lizzani Un povero ricco Pasquale Festa Campanile a.k.a. Rich and Poor Digitmovies / CDDM217 / 2012 1984 A Man Called Rage Tonino Ricci as Anthony Richmond Digitmovies / CDDM285 / 2018 1985 Baciami strega Duccio Tessari TV series Digitmovies / CDDM328 / 2024 1987 Rage of Honor Gordon Hessler Beaks: The Movie René Cardona Jr. 1988 Night of the Sharks Tonino Ricci Digitmovies / CDDM189 / 2011 Don Bosco Leandro Castellani Digitmovies / CDDM328 / 2024 1989 Bangkok ... Just Going Fabrizio Lori Universal Music / Digital Only Electric blue Elfriede Gaeng Universal Music / Digital Only / 2022 1991 Voices from Beyond Lucio Fulci Digitmovies / CDDM165 / 2010 If I Didn't Have Love Leandro Castellani Digitmovies / CDDM328 / 2024 1993 The Anticrime Inspector Paolo Fondato Digitmovies / CDDM284 / 2018 Over the Line Ovidio G. Assonitis, Robert Barrett Warner Chappell Music Italiana / 1992 / Digital Only 2000 Death, Deceit and Destiny Aboard the Orient Express Mark Roper Kronos Records / KRONCD079 / 2017 2001 Queen's Messenger Mark Roper Kronos Records / KRONCD085 / 2017 She Timothy Bond Kronos Records / KRONCD071 / 2001 2002 Dog Story Tiziana Aristarco Warner Chappell Music Italiana / 2002 / Digital Only 2006 Bellissime 2 Giovanna Gagliardo Heristal Entertainment / 2016 / Digital Only