News from Italy
Farewell to Peppino di Capri, an Iconic Voice of Italian Music
Italian music has lost one of its most beloved and influential figures. Peppino di Capri, born Giuseppe Faiella, passed away on July 11, 2026, at the age of 86, just days before his 87th birthday. The singer, who had been facing health problems for some time, died at Villa Castiglione on his beloved island of Capri, a place that had always represented home and inspiration throughout his life.
The Italian press announced his passing. His funeral will be held in Capri, at the historic former Cathedral of Santo Stefano in the Piazzetta, one of the island’s most symbolic locations.
With a career spanning more than sixty years, Peppino di Capri was far more than a singer: he was one of the artists who helped shape the evolution of Italian popular music after World War II. By blending Neapolitan traditions with rock and roll and twist rhythms, he created a distinctive style that reached audiences across generations.
Songs such as “Champagne,” “Roberta,” and “St. Tropez Twist” became part of Italy’s collective memory, representing an era of romance, social change, and musical innovation. Among them, “Champagne” remains one of the most recognisable and enduring songs in Italian popular music.
Peppino di Capri took part in the Sanremo Music Festival 15 times and won the competition twice: in 1973 with “Un grande amore e niente più” and in 1976 with “Non lo faccio più.” In 2023, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ariston Theatre, in recognition of a career that had become an integral part of Italy’s musical heritage.
Born in 1939, he began playing the piano as a child and experienced his first performances during World War II, including concerts for Allied troops stationed on the island. Over the decades, he became one of the most recognisable voices of Italian music.
With his passing, Italy has lost not only a great performer but also a symbol of an entire cultural era. Peppino di Capri leaves behind timeless songs, artistic elegance, and a musical legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
Farewell to Peppino di Capri, an Iconic Voice of Italian Music
Italian music has lost one of its most beloved and influential figures. Peppino di Capri, born Giuseppe Faiella, passed away on July 11, 2026, at the age of 86, just days before his 87th birthday. The singer, who had been facing health problems for some time, died at Villa Castiglione on his beloved island of Capri, a place that had always represented home and inspiration throughout his life.
The Italian press announced his passing. His funeral will be held in Capri, at the historic former Cathedral of Santo Stefano in the Piazzetta, one of the island’s most symbolic locations.
With a career spanning more than sixty years, Peppino di Capri was far more than a singer: he was one of the artists who helped shape the evolution of Italian popular music after World War II. By blending Neapolitan traditions with rock and roll and twist rhythms, he created a distinctive style that reached audiences across generations.
Songs such as “Champagne,” “Roberta,” and “St. Tropez Twist” became part of Italy’s collective memory, representing an era of romance, social change, and musical innovation. Among them, “Champagne” remains one of the most recognisable and enduring songs in Italian popular music.
Peppino di Capri took part in the Sanremo Music Festival 15 times and won the competition twice: in 1973 with “Un grande amore e niente più” and in 1976 with “Non lo faccio più.” In 2023, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Ariston Theatre, in recognition of a career that had become an integral part of Italy’s musical heritage.
Born in 1939, he began playing the piano as a child and experienced his first performances during World War II, including concerts for Allied troops stationed on the island. Over the decades, he became one of the most recognisable voices of Italian music.
With his passing, Italy has lost not only a great performer but also a symbol of an entire cultural era. Peppino di Capri leaves behind timeless songs, artistic elegance, and a musical legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.
