Eduardo Di Capua: The Composer Behind 'O Sole Mio'

Eduardo Di Capua was an Italian composer and songwriter, best known for composing the music of the iconic Neapolitan song "'O Sole Mio". Born in Naples, Di Capua was the son of a musician. He studied violin and composition at the Conservatory of San Pietro a Majella. He achieved international fame primarily through his collaboration with poet Giovanni Capurro on "'O Sole Mio" in 1898. Di Capua spent several years touring as a violinist and conductor, including in Russia and Ukraine, but struggled financially throughout his life. He died relatively young in poverty.
  • Despite the immense global popularity of "'O Sole Mio", Di Capua and Capurro initially received very little financial reward due to the poor copyright laws and practices of the era regarding Neapolitan songs.
  • His most famous composition, "'O Sole Mio", became the basis for numerous adaptations, most notably Elvis Presley's "It's Now or Never" (1960). This led to significant royalties for the Di Capua estate decades after his death, but he personally never benefited.
  • Di Capua died at the age of 52 in Milan, impoverished and largely forgotten by the wider public, despite the enduring fame of his song. The cause of death is generally cited as complications from long-term illness.