Alberto Testa was a Brazilian-born Italian composer, lyricist, singer, and television writer, born on April 11, 1927, in Santos, São Paulo, Brazil. He moved to Italy with his family during his childhood. Testa initially served in the Italian armed forces during World War II and was taken as a prisoner of war in the United States. After the war, he returned to Italy and embarked on a brief singing career before transitioning to songwriting.

Testa became renowned for his work as a lyricist, penning lyrics for some of the most popular Italian songs of the modern era. He collaborated with songwriters such as Tony Renis and Memo Remigi, contributing to hits like "Quando, Quando, Quando" and "Grande Grande Grande." His songs were performed by notable artists, including Mina, Shirley Bassey, Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, and Celine Dion. One of his most celebrated works, "The Prayer," co-written with David Foster, Tony Renis, and Carole Bayer Sager, won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song in 1998.

Throughout his career, Testa co-wrote an estimated 1,500 songs. He continued to write and correct lyrics until shortly before his death on October 19, 2009, in Rome, Italy. His funeral was held at the church of Santa Maria in Montesanto in Rome. Alberto Testa's legacy endures through the timeless quality of his lyrics and the enduring popularity of his songs.