Romualdo Marenco (March 1, 1841 – October 9, 1907) was an Italian composer primarily noted for ballet music.
Marenco started his musical career as a violinist in the Doria Theater in Genoa.
He was appointed the orchestral conductor for La Scala in Milan and also directed the ballet company there for seven years.
His best-known ballets were written in collaboration with choreographer Luigi Manzotti during that period.
Excelsior is a tribute to the scientific and industrial progress of the 19th century, from the electric light to the telegraph, steam engine, Fréjus Rail Tunnel, and Suez Canal.