Stephen Warbeck, Russell Watson - Captain Corelli's Mandolin / Stephen Warbeck (2001 film)

As told by John Madden (director of Shakespeare in Love, not the NFL guy), the screen adaptation of novelist Louis de Bernières's World War II love story Corelli's Mandolin has taken some dramatic licenses. But in coloring his recasting of the popular romantic drama, Madden once again turned to his Academy Award-winning Shakespeare collaborator, Stephen Warbeck. The composer displays his mastery of romantic drama (though here in a bit more somber setting), casting the main love theme of "Pelagia's Song" in a mood that's more emotional than geographic. Warbeck's music then subtly coaxes the Italian and Greek influences from the source material, interpolating some Verdi and other standard works with occasionally dryly humorous effect (Italian infantryman segue from "La Donna e Mobile" to crooning the hoary German standard "Lili Marlene"). "The Tango" and "The Mandolin" offer up some ethnically diverse, if warmly human dimensions to the proceedings, with "Agii Fanentes," "The Guitar," and "On the Jetty" adding to their spare instrumental charm. Warbeck's emotionally compelling final cues are seasoned with a pair of strong performances by young English tenor sensation Russell Watson, "Senzi di Te" and "Ricordo Ancor," a lovely vocal version of the main love theme. --Jerry McCulley Amazon.com

Beautiful and dramatic Greek and Italian music

The soundtrack to Captain Corelli's Mandolin is very beautiful with dramatic and moving selections from the film as well as vocal selections of opera and Italian music of the 1940's which are performed by the cast during the film. The film is about and Italian army officer in occupied Greece at the beginning of World War II when the Italians fought the Greeks in Albania. He falls in love with a beautiful Greek woman. There love affair is fought with many barriers; historic, cultural, and emotional. The soundtrack captures these movements well. November 11, 2007

Takes you to that island near the Agean Sea

It's more evocative of the book instead of film but the music helps one recall those moments illuminated under the Mediterranean sun. October 5, 2006

Sad mistake`

It's only fair that I take responsibility for buying what is simply a Sound Track Only of the movie. I'm deaf and need a sound track like I need a hole in the head. September 4, 2005

Beautiful Music

I grew up with Greek and Italian music and that is one of the reasons I bought this CD in addition to absolutely loving the movie. The music is original and traditional. "The Mandolin" is perfection. If you want to take a romantic journey through another time and place this music will give you that chance. January 27, 2003

Brings back memories

Awsome music; lyrics, as well as instrumentals. Takes you away to a land of beauty. If you also grew up with Italian music in your home, you may especially enjoy this version of standard favorites such as Santa Lucia and La Donna E Mobile. I consider this movie as the Italian Americans' "Pearl Harbor". Lots of heroism in the movie and the music elaborates on that with spendor. April 21, 2002

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