E Ridendo l'Uccise is the fifth collaboration between director Florestano Vancini and composer Ennio Morricone (and the first since 1993's Piazza di Spagno). With its baroque stylings, ever-present harpsichord and occasional flurries from recorder, piccolo trumpet and choir, the score has a passing similarity to one of Morricone's greatest recent works, the extraordinary Vatel.