History of Ennio Morricone in Timeline

Ennio Morricone was a highly prolific and influential Italian composer, orchestrator, conductor, trumpeter, and pianist. He composed over 400 film and television scores and more than 100 classical works, demonstrating versatility across various musical styles. Celebrated as one of the greatest film composers, Morricone's work earned him numerous prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards, multiple Grammy Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and other accolades from European film organizations. His significant contribution to cinema and music has solidified his legacy as a master of film scoring.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1928: Introduction of the Academy Honorary Award

Since its introduction in 1928, Ennio Morricone and Alex North are the only composers to receive the Academy Honorary Award.

1950: Met Maria Travia

In 1950, Ennio Morricone met Maria Travia, who would later become his wife.

October 1956: Marriage to Maria Travia

On October 13, 1956, Ennio Morricone married Maria Travia, whom he had met in 1950. They remained married for 63 years until his death. Maria Travia wrote lyrics for some of Ennio's works, including the Latin texts for The Mission.

1957: Birth of son Marco

In 1957, Ennio Morricone and Maria Travia had their first child, Marco.

1961: Birth of daughter Alessandra

In 1961, Ennio Morricone and Maria Travia had their second child, Alessandra.

1964: Birth of son Andrea

In 1964, Ennio Morricone and Maria Travia had their third child, Andrea, who would become a conductor and film composer.

1964: Wins Prize in Chess Tournament

In 1964, Ennio Morricone won a prize in the third category for amateurs at his first official chess tournament.

1966: Birth of son Giovanni

In 1966, Ennio Morricone and Maria Travia had their fourth child, Giovanni, who became a filmmaker.

1966: Release of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

In 1966, the movie The Good, the Bad and the Ugly was released. The score was composed by Ennio Morricone and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2009.

1971: "Targa d'Oro" Received

In 1971, Ennio Morricone received a "Targa d'Oro" for worldwide sales of 22 million records.

1971: First Golden Record

In 1971, Ennio Morricone received his first golden record (disco d'oro) for the sale of 1,000,000 records in Italy and a "Targa d'Oro" for the worldwide sales of 22 million records.

1978: Days of Heaven release

In 1978, the movie Days of Heaven was released. It featured the score composed by Ennio Morricone, which earned him his first Academy Award nomination in 1979.

1979: First Academy Award Nomination

In 1979, Ennio Morricone received his first Academy Award nomination for the score to Days of Heaven.

September 1984: Conducts Orchestre national des Pays de la Loire at Cinésymphonie '84 in Paris

In September 1984, Ennio Morricone conducted the Orchestre national des Pays de la Loire at Cinésymphonie '84 in the Salle Pleyel in Paris, performing his famous compositions like Metti una sera a cena, Novecento and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Michel Legrand and Georges Delerue also performed that evening.

1986: The Mission Soundtrack Certified Gold

In 1986, the soundtrack for The Mission was certified gold in the United States.

October 1987: Concert in Sportpaleis, Antwerp

In October 1987, Ennio Morricone performed a concert in front of 12,000 people in the Sportpaleis in Antwerp, Belgium, with the Dutch Metropole Orchestra and the Italian operatic soprano Alide Maria Salvetta. A live album of the concert was released the same year.

1987: Oscar nomination for The Untouchables

In 1987, Ennio Morricone received an Oscar nomination for his scores to The Untouchables.

1989: Polar Music Prize Founded

In 1989, the Polar Music Prize was founded by Stig Anderson, manager of Swedish pop group ABBA.

1991: Oscar nomination for Bugsy

In 1991, Ennio Morricone received an Oscar nomination for his score to Bugsy.

1994: Dissolution of Christian Democracy Party

In 1994, after the dissolution of the Christian Democracy (DC) party, Ennio Morricone approached the center-left coalition.

June 2000: Flanders International Film Festival Ghent Performance

On June 9, 2000, Ennio Morricone conducted his music at the Flanders International Film Festival Ghent with the National Orchestra of Belgium. The screening of The Life and Death of King Richard III (1912) was accompanied by live music, marking the first live performance of the score in Europe. The event occurred on the eve of Euro 2000.

2000: Oscar nomination for Malèna

In 2000, Ennio Morricone received an Oscar nomination for his score to Malèna.

2001: World Tour Begins

In 2001, Ennio Morricone embarked on a world tour with the Orchestra Roma Sinfonietta, sponsored by Giorgio Armani. The tour included performances in London, Paris, Verona, and Tokyo. As of 2001, Morricone had performed over 250 concerts.

2003: 75th Birthday Concerto, Royal Albert Hall

In 2003, Ennio Morricone performed his 75th birthday Concerto at the Royal Albert Hall in London with singer Dulce Pontes as part of his world tour.

2004: Performs at the Gasteig in Munich

In 2004, Ennio Morricone performed his classic film scores at the Gasteig in Munich.

2005: AFI's Top 25 of Best American Film Scores Nominations

In 2005, four film scores by Ennio Morricone were nominated by the American Film Institute for a place in the AFI's Top 25 of Best American Film Scores of All Time. His score for The Mission ranked 23rd.

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February 2007: North American Concert Debut and United Nations Concert

In February 2007, Ennio Morricone made his North American concert debut at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on February 3rd. The previous evening, he presented a concert at the United Nations, featuring his film themes and the cantata Voci dal silenzio.

February 2007: Academy Honorary Award

In February 2007, Ennio Morricone received the Academy Honorary Award for his magnificent and multifaceted contributions to the art of film music.

2007: Founding Member of the Democratic Party (PD)

In 2007, Ennio Morricone became a founding member of the Democratic Party (PD) in Italy.

2007: Academy Honorary Award

In 2007, Ennio Morricone received the Academy Honorary Award "for his magnificent and multifaceted contributions to the art of film music".

2009: Grammy Hall of Fame Induction

In 2009, The Recording Academy inducted Ennio Morricone's score for The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966) into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

2010: Polar Music Prize

In 2010, Ennio Morricone and Icelandic singer Björk won the Polar Music Prize, Sweden's biggest music award.

February 2012: Australian Concert Debut in Perth

On February 26, 2012, Ennio Morricone made his Australian concert debut, conducting the Western Australian Youth Orchestra and a 100-voice chorus at the Burswood Theatre in Perth.

March 2012: Conducts Adelaide Symphony Orchestra

On March 2, 2012, Ennio Morricone conducted the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra at Elder Park in Adelaide as part of the Adelaide Festival of Arts.

December 2012: Concert in Sportpaleis, Antwerp

On December 22, 2012, Ennio Morricone conducted the 85-piece Belgian orchestra "Orkest der Lage Landen" and a 100-piece choir during a two-hour concert in the Sportpaleis in Antwerp.

November 2013: 50th Anniversary World Tour Begins

In November 2013, Ennio Morricone began a world tour to coincide with the 50th anniversary of his film music career, performing in Moscow, Santiago, Berlin, Budapest, and Vienna.

June 2014: US Tour Cancelled Due to Back Procedure

In June 2014, Ennio Morricone had to cancel a US tour in New York and Los Angeles due to a back procedure on February 20th. He subsequently postponed the rest of his world tour.

November 2014: Resumption of European Tour Announced

In November 2014, Ennio Morricone announced that he would resume his European tour starting in February 2015, along with Dulce Pontes.

February 2015: Resumption of European Tour

Starting in February 2015, Ennio Morricone resumed his European tour along with Dulce Pontes.

February 2016: Academy Award Win for The Hateful Eight

In February 2016, Ennio Morricone won his first competitive Academy Award for his score to The Hateful Eight, becoming the oldest person to win a competitive Oscar at the time.

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2016: Academy Award for The Hateful Eight

In 2016, Ennio Morricone received his only competitive Academy Award for his score to Quentin Tarantino's film The Hateful Eight, becoming the oldest person ever to win a competitive Oscar at the time.

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July 2020: Death at Age 91

On July 6, 2020, Ennio Morricone died at the Università Campus Bio-Medico in Rome, aged 91, due to complications from a femur fracture sustained in a fall. He was later entombed in Cimitero Laurentino.