Domenico Modugno (January 9, 1928 – August 6, 1994) was an Italian singer and songwriter. From a young age Domenico wanted to become an actor and in 1951, after his military service, he enrolled in an acting school. While still studying he had a role in a cinematographic version of Filumena Marturano by Eduardo De Filippo, and some other films. In 1957, his song Lazzarella, sung by Aurelio Fierro, came second in the Festival della Canzone Napoletana, bringing him the first popularity.