Eduardo di Capua, born in Naples, Italy on March 12, 1865, is best remember… Read Full Bio ↴Eduardo di Capua, born in Naples, Italy on March 12, 1865, is best remembered for composing the Italian song "O Sole Mio", along with Giovanni Cappuro. He is also responsible for composing other important Neapolitan songs such as "Torno a Surriento" and "Santa Lucia Luntana.

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 ↴

Che bella cosa na jurnata 'e sole!...
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,

sta 'nfronte a te...
'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!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Eduardo di Capua's song "O sole mio" describe the beauty and joy brought by a sunny day. The first stanza describes the clear and fresh air that feels like a celebration after a storm. The second stanza shifts the focus to a woman singing and boasting while doing her laundry while the sun shines on her window. In both of these stanzas, the singer compares the beauty of the day to the beauty of his love interest "o sole mio" or "my sun," who is in front of him.

The final stanza takes on a melancholic tone as the singer describes feeling lonely and melancholic when night falls and the sun sets. He wishes to remain under his love's window when the sun goes down, so he can stay close to her. The repeated lines of "ma n'atu sole cchiù bello" emphasize the singer's love and admiration for his partner.

This song is a classic Italian song that has been covered by many artists in various genres since its creation in 1898. It is often associated with Naples, the city where the composer Eduardo di Capua was born, and with Italian and Neapolitan culture. The song's catchy melody and romantic lyrics have made it a popular choice for pop culture references and in movies, TV shows, and commercials.

Line by Line Meaning

Che bella cosa na jurnata 'e sole!...
What a beautiful thing is a sunny day!...

N'aria serena doppo a na tempesta...
The air is calm after a storm...

Pe' ll'aria fresca pare giá na festa...
The fresh air makes it feel like a celebration...

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!
But another sun, even more beautiful, oh yes, my sun, is shining right in front of you... Oh sun, my own sun, is shining right in front of you... It's shining right in front of you!

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...
The window panes shine; a laundress sings and boasts... and while she wrings, stretches and sings, the window panes shine...

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...
When night comes and the sun has gone, sadness almost takes hold of me... I would stay below your window, when night comes and the sun has gone...

Contributed by Riley M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

@JoshuaJeremiah

14y↑10

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

13w

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