di Capua studied at the San Pietro Conservatory in Majilla. His first songs were influenced by a chance encounter in 1887 with poet Cinquegrana. "O Sole Mio" was not composed in Italy, but in Odessa, Russia, while on a trip. Considered the unofficial, romantic Italian anthem, it was performed during the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp on a fluke as the band conductor conductor could not locate the music to the Italian national anthem.
Eduardo di Capua died on October 3, 1917, in Milan Italy.
'O sole mio
Eduardo di Capua Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
N'aria serena doppo a na tempesta...
Pe′ ll'aria fresca pare giá na festa...
Che bella cosa na jurnata 'e sole!...
Ma n′atu sole
Cchiù bello, oje né′,
'O sole mio,
'O sole,
′O sole mio,
Sta 'nfronte a te...
Sta ′nfronte a te!
Lùceno 'e llastre d"a fenesta toja;
Na lavannara canta e se ne vanta...
E pe' tramente torce, spanne e canta,
Lùceno ′e llastre d"a fenesta toja...
Ma n′atu sole
Cchiù bello, oje né',
′O sole mio,
Sta 'nfronte a te...
′O sole,
'O sole mio,
Sta ′nfronte a te...
Sta 'nfronte a te!
Quanno fa notte e 'o sole se ne scenne,
Mme vène quase na malincunia...
Sott"a fenesta toja restarría,
Quanno fa notte e ′o sole se ne scenne...
Ma n′atu sole
Cchiù bello, oje né',
′O sole mio,
Sta 'nfronte a te...
′O sole,
'O sole mio,
Sta ′nfronte a te...
Sta 'nfronte a te!
The opening lines of the song 'O sole mio' are filled with joy and appreciation for a beautiful sunny day. The singer describes the clear air after a storm as if it were a celebration. The repetition of the phrase 'Che bella cosa na jurnata 'e sole!' reinforces the idea of happiness and beauty, painting a vivid picture of a beautiful sunny day.
The singer then goes on to express the beauty of the sun itself, referring to it as '′O sole mio' (my sun) and describing how it shines in front of him. The lines 'Lùceno 'e llastre d"a fenesta toja' and 'Na lavannara canta e se ne vanta' give us a glimpse of the singer's life, as they describe the view from his window and the sounds of a washerwoman singing. These lines give the song a personal touch and create a sense of intimacy and familiarity.
The final verse of the song takes a melancholic turn, as the singer expresses the feeling of loneliness that comes with the night and the departure of the sun. The phrase 'Mme vène quase na malincunia' (a feeling of sadness comes over me) encapsulates the mood shift perfectly. Even so, the singer finds comfort in the thought that the sun will return and be in front of him once again.
Overall, 'O sole mio' is a beautiful ode to the sun, with powerful imagery and emotion. It takes the listener on a journey of joy, intimacy, and melancholy.
Line by Line Meaning
Che bella cosa na jurnata ′e sole!...
How beautiful a day of sun!...
N'aria serena doppo a na tempesta...
After a storm, the serene air...
Pe′ ll'aria fresca pare giá na festa...
The fresh air makes it seem like a celebration...
Che bella cosa na jurnata 'e sole!...
How beautiful a day of sun!...
Ma n′atu sole
But my own sun
Cchiù bello, oje né′,
is more beautiful, oh yes,
'O sole mio,
my own sun,
Sta ′nfronte a te...
is standing right in front of you...
'O sole,
sun,
′O sole mio,
my own sun,
Sta 'nfronte a te...
is standing right in front of you...
Sta ′nfronte a te!
Is standing right in front of you!
Lùceno 'e llastre d'a fenesta toja;
The glass panes of your window shine;
Na lavannara canta e se ne vanta...
A laundress sings and boasts...
E pe' tramente torce, spanne e canta,
And she twists and wrings, stretches and sings,
Lùceno 'e llastre d'a fenesta toja...
The glass panes of your window shine...
Ma n′atu sole
But my own sun
Cchiù bello, oje né',
is more beautiful, oh yes,
'O sole mio,
my own sun,
Sta 'nfronte a te...
is standing right in front of you...
'O sole,
sun,
'O sole mio,
my own sun,
Sta 'nfronte a te...
is standing right in front of you...
Sta 'nfronte a te!
Is standing right in front of you!
Quanno fa notte e 'o sole se ne scenne,
When night falls and the sun goes down,
Mme vène quase na malincunia...
Almost a melancholy feeling comes over me...
Sott'a fenesta toja restarría,
I would stay under your window,
Quanno fa notte e ′o sole se ne scenne...
When night falls and the sun goes down...
Ma n′atu sole
But my own sun
Cchiù bello, oje né',
is more beautiful, oh yes,
'O sole mio,
my own sun,
Sta 'nfronte a te...
is standing right in front of you...
'O sole,
sun,
'O sole mio,
my own sun,
Sta 'nfronte a te...
is standing right in front of you...
Sta 'nfronte a te!
Is standing right in front of you!
Writer(s): Capurro Di Capua, Orch'd: Giancarlo Chiaramello
Contributed by Victoria Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JoshuaJeremiah
I've sung with him before as well, and there is plenty of "ping" in the voice. This must be an acoustical trick of the room, or recording. The best part of his singing is how supported it is throughout the voice. Great legato and a constant vibrato that carries the voice from pitch to pitch. Bravo Chris.
@maestrobamusic
Yes, this venue does not have the best sound.
@pointofnoreturn3103
Wow!!! He sang this WELL! I particularly love his agility on the grace notes and triplets! And, his ornamentations made sense musically. He understands appoggio, and from what I can tell, appoggio is muscle memory for him! And, his voice, itself, honestly reminds me a bit of Mario Lanza. Some of Christopher's warmth and richness... I loved this!! Thank you so much for uploading this! Susan
@coppercommander119
amo questa canzone
@ArtFernandez1
I love this!
@stefanogori5337
Meraviglia
@soniasunshine35
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! VERY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
@myahgormley9788
yes! love this piece!
@susanwilliamsarcm3017
This was such a fabulous performance!
@ceddrerehau1258
His tone is beautiful! Exquisite phrasing! A joy to listen to!