Augusto Martelli (15 March 1940 – 3 November 2014) was an Italian composer, conductor, arranger and television personality. Born in Genoa, Italy, he worked across popular music, film soundtracks and television from the 1960s onward. Martelli is best known for composing the evocative tune Djamballà, which served as the main theme for the 1971 film Il dio serpente and became a recognizable piece of Italian soundtrack repertoire.
Career and musical style
Martelli combined roles as composer, arranger and orchestra leader. He wrote music for cinema, arranged recordings for singers and acted as a musical director on variety shows and television productions. His style blended orchestral textures with popular rhythms of the period, creating memorable melodies suited both to broadcast formats and cinematic mood-setting. As a conductor he led studio orchestras for recordings and live television performances.
Notable works and roles
- Composer: film themes and instrumental pieces, including the famous Djamballà.
- Arranger: studio arrangements for popular Italian songs and recording artists.
- Conductor and musical director: led orchestras on television and in the studio.
- Television personality: appeared on-screen in musical and variety programs, bringing musical expertise to a broad audience.
Throughout his career Martelli helped bridge the worlds of pop music and soundtrack composition, adapting orchestral arrangements to contemporary tastes and the demands of televised entertainment. His work is noted for clear melodic lines and rhythmic drive that supported both narrative film scenes and mainstream radio play.
Martelli died in Milan on 3 November 2014 at the age of 74. His melody for Djamballà and his contributions to Italian television music continue to be cited when discussing the era's crossover between popular songwriting and cinematic scoring.
For a concise sense of his output, listeners often begin with recordings and soundtrack compilations featuring his compositions and arrangements; his music remains a reference point for students of Italian pop and film music of the 1960s and 1970s.