Deep Red at Sforza Castle: film and soundtrack, twice the thrill

Milan, July 29, 2025 – A simple arpeggio. Yet just listening to the first notes sends a shiver down your spine. As if it contained a concentration of tension and fear. As if it were capable of opening the gates to mysterious worlds on its own. And then that seemingly playful melody . For children. That chills the blood in your veins.

The power of music. And cinema. Considering one of the most famous soundtracks of all time: " Deep Red ."

The song was written by Goblin , a progressive rock band founded by Claudio Simonetti and Massimo Morante. At the time, they were in their early twenties. The turning point came early in 1975, when they found themselves in the right place at the right time: during the recording process, Dario Argento broke up with jazz musician Giorgio Gaslin, who was already working on some music, and entrusted the boys with the task of composing the main songs.

A multimillion-selling phenomenon was born, topping the charts for 16 weeks. It was a thing of the past. Since then, dozens of soundtracks have followed, along with just as many arguments and lineup changes.

From revolution to revolution, we arrive at Claudio Simonetti 's Goblin (as per the poster), who today at the Sforza Castle are offering a particularly curious evening, just in time for the film's fiftieth anniversary. The songs from " Deep Red " will be performed on stage during the full screening of the film , in a format Simonetti has already experimented with several times, including with his previous band, Daemonia. But that's not all. After the screening, there will also be room for other music by the band, composed over the years for Dario Argento , George Romero, and some cult crime films.

And to think that we also owe Cecchetto's catchy "Gioca Jouer" to Simonetti . He's the author. In the early 1980s. So he has at least a couple of generations on his conscience. An anecdote that also confirms his predisposition for slightly strong atmospheres... Here, however, he's in the company of his Goblins . Thank goodness. On a Tuesday evening with a film club atmosphere. But plenty of rock 'n' roll. With the soundtrack coming to life in a sort of live montage, to once again accompany the improvised investigations of David Hemmings (also unforgettable in Antonioni's "Blow Up") and Daria Nicolodi, later mother of Asia Argento.

They are the protagonists of a thriller packed with twists and special effects. Which ultimately comes full circle thanks to one of the film's opening images. A few shots and you can already understand everything. But you have to sharpen your eyes. And don't be afraid to look through mirrors.