Giovanni Capurro

Giovanni Capurro ( born February 5, 1859 in Naples, † January 18, 1920 in Naples) was an Italian writer and the author of the lyrics to the song ' O sole mio.

Capurros Father Antonio worked as a language teacher, on request of his father Giovanni turned first technical studies, but then bought a flute diploma at the Conservatory of Naples. As a result, he became a journalist for the socialist journal La Montagna, and also wrote for the periodical Don Marzio and the newspaper Roma. There he was admitted in 1896 as employees. Capurro was a respected poet and playwright. Wrote in 1898 Capurro the words to O Sole Mio! and asked Eduardo Di Capua, to put it into music. The song won the competition of the Festa di Piedigrotta 1898 to second place, but was soon famous.

Capurro benefited little from his worldwide success. He continued working for the newspaper Roma as a reporter, theater critic and civil servant, but also performed as a singer and entertainer.