Italian music legend Peppino di Capri, who famously represented Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1991, has sadly passed away at the age of 86. The beloved singer died on his cherished island of Capri following a long illness, just weeks before his 87th birthday on July 27.

Peppino di Capri, born Giuseppe Faiella on July 27, 1939, was a prominent figure in the Italian music scene for decades. He captivated audiences with his distinctive voice and charismatic stage presence, achieving widespread success throughout his career.

Eurovision fans will remember him fondly for his participation in the 1991 contest held in Rome, where he performed the poignant Neapolitan ballad ‘Comme dddoce ‘o mare‘ (‘How sweet is the sea’). This marked a notable moment as it was the first time Italy had submitted an entry not performed at least partly in Italian. He finished in 7th place with 89 points, showcasing his enduring artistry on the international stage.

https://youtu.be/X2lbFGtJuXU?is=zn3DuVOWjZVkLRVA

Beyond Eurovision, di Capri enjoyed an illustrious career marked by numerous hits, including classics like ‘Champagne‘ and ‘Roberta‘. He was also a two-time winner of the prestigious Sanremo Music Festival, taking victories in 1973 with ‘Un grande amore e niente più‘ and in 1976 with ‘Non lo faccio più‘, a testament to his significant impact on Italian popular music.

His funeral is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Saturday, July 12, at 17:00 local time in the Piazzetta of Capri, a fitting tribute to an artist so deeply associated with the iconic island.

The ESCToday Team would like to convey our deepest sympathies and condolences to Peppino’s family and loved ones during these distressful times.


Sanjay (Sergio) joined esctoday.com in December 2006 as an editor. He was appointed as the Head of Press of ESCToday.com in 2011. Hereafter in 2016 he was promoted as the Head of International Relations & Communications at ESCToday. Sergio has covered the Eurovision Song Contest live 23 times since 2000, having worked for several international magazines and media outlets.