MovieScore Media release Marc Timón Barceló's orchestral score for Coliseum: Games of Rome. Produced by Drakonia, Coliseum is a spectacular show which recreates the deadly games of Ancient Rome in a live movie experience. The production follows the adventures of Marcus Octavius Atellus, the legatus of Rome who has been sentenced to fight as a gladiator in the Coliseum to recover his freedom; he must also survive the machinations of his nemesis Dominicianus, the evil brother of the Titus who plans on becoming the emperor. Featuring more than 100 actors, horses, exotic dancers, fire stunts and chariot races, the show features such set pieces as the Battle of Hispania, a "David and Goliath" duel with Porphyrion the Giant and a tender romantic subplot between Marcus and his one true love, Cleopatra...

Marc Timón Barceló delivers an incredibly pleasing and atmospheric score for Coliseum. Thankfully he steers well clear of Hans Zimmer-esque Gladiator cliches (something that has become the norm with these style of scores of late). Instead Barceló has leaned more towards the feel of Miklós Rózsa Ben-Hur and Alex North's Cleopatra to provide a much more epic, classic feel. Oh, okay, he does stray slightly into Zimmer territory, with a very short segment on 'Domicianus Treason'.

Of this album's 20 tracks (55 min, 55 sec) personal favourites include 'Cleopatra's Theme' (easily this album's most beautiful piece); and 'Domicianus and Titus'.

In addition I couldn't help notice that 'The Emperor's Entourage' and 'The Tribes' had a short segment of music that was reminiscent of Williams's score for the original Star Wars movie.

This is an epic, bold score that captures the golden years of Hollywood cinema.

9

Darren Rea