Frolic is an instrumental composed by Italian Luciano Michelini in 1974 for the film La bellissima estate, where it represents the barone rosso. The music blends circus-style energy with a hint of bossa nova, featuring a quirky ensemble of tuba, mandolin, banjo and piano plus various sound effects. It gained wide fame as the opening and closing theme of Curb Your Enthusiasm after Larry David heard it in a bank advertisement, and HBO obtained the rights with Michelini’s permission in 2000. The tune has appeared in other advertisements and even a Snoop Dogg rap, and its mandolin melody sits over downward chromatic chords to create a playful, whimsical feel. It is part of Michelini’s music library, and is widely regarded as a classic television theme.
