Michele Zarrillo in Bologna

Michele Zarrillo is an Italian singer-songwriter and guitarist, born in Rome in 1957, known for melodic pop ballads such as “Cinque giorni,” “Una rosa blu” and “L’elefante e la farfalla.” Before beginning his solo career, he played in the progressive rock group Semiramis. In 1981, he entered Italy’s principal televised song competition with “Su quel pianeta libero.” He won its newcomers’ section in 1987 with “La notte dei pensieri,” then returned with “Cinque giorni” in 1994 and “L’elefante e la farfalla” in 1996 at the Festival di Sanremo.