General news

IL VOLO AT CIRCUS MAXIMUS and more by Daniela

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On June 23, the concert event VITA was broadcast on Rai 1 and aired in Eurovision. The concert took place in Rome at the Circus Maximus, where Il Volo was present among many guests.
The event initiative was born with the aim of raising public awareness on health, prevention, and well-being, in view of World Day Against Drugs and Addictions.
Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio were also interviewed backstage about the topic.

CLICK HERE to view the Facebook reel

PIERO = It’s an evening dedicated to addictions. It’s clear that we can experience a more or less vulnerable period in life, and we young people are perhaps more vulnerable in this regard.
We (Il Volo) try to send a message with music, perhaps the most powerful medium we have, and so we try to do it in the most serious and responsible way possible.
IGNAZIO = I totally agree.
WOMEN = Tonight you’ll be performing Grande Amore on stage, which has become a hit not only in Italy but also internationally. It came out a few years ago, but did you expect it to go this far, to the point of being sung not only around the world but also here 10 years later?
GIANLUCA = Yes, it was February 2015 when we won Sanremo with Grande Amore, and it was kind of the return of operatic pop to Italy. The only one before us had been Bocelli, who had brought “Con te partirò (Time to say goodbye)”. So, it’s a great honor for us to be able to continue bringing this music to new generations, to people our age, and also to those who have always loved this music.
WOMEN = By the way, I always remember that Grande Amore won the Eurovision Song Contest that year by televoting!!
Here is their performance: to the tune of NELLE TUE MANI, the first song by Il Volo.

CLICK HERE to view the Facebook reel

 

Oh my, I’m getting chills, what power, what a performance, and what magnificent views of Rome by night.
Congratulations, guys, you’re in great shape, your voices are unique and special!! ❤️❤️❤️
I translated their words at the end of the song:
NEK= Il Volo
WOMAN= Extraordinary, extraordinary!!
GIANLUCA= A round of applause for Maestro De Amicis (they know him from Ti Lascio una Canzone) and the orchestra, these great musicians.
PIERO= Thank you, thank you.
IGNAZIO= Hello everyone.
NEK= (to Il Volo) Welcome.
WOMAN= We’ve seen some fantastic images of Rome, and my compliments to you all.
NEK= Excuse me, I’ll do some cleaning (he takes away the microphone stands). Thanks to Il Volo. You didn’t see, but we were backstage listening to the song, and our director Guttuso gave us some images of Rome, so we got goosebumps.
IGNAZIO= The most beautiful city in the world.
NEK= Yes, the most beautiful city in the world. Thank you for being here!!
GIANLUCA= It’s a pleasure.
IGNAZIO= And then I lost the battle tonight because I wanted to dress up as a gladiator but I couldn’t. 😁😂
NEK= Would you really have done that?
IGNAZIO= Absolutely!
NEK= Look me in the eyes.
IGNAZIO= I swear.
WOMAN= Who knows on a future occasion… anyway, while I was watching you, I was thinking about how far you have come in all these years and, connecting it to the theme of this evening, they (Piero Ignazio and Gianluca) are very young, the theme of longevity is always thought to be associated with advanced age, instead, as science says “It’s never too early”, so you have to take care of yourself from a young age, and so, Piero, how do you take care of yourself?
PIERO=  With the piggy bank…..
NEK= Be honest.
PIERO= …..longevity is a piggy bank, you have to start young….
WOMAN= Good job
PIERO= I take care of myself with running, I really like running.
NEK= Oh, see?
PIERO= I started by doing 5 minutes, then 10 minutes, and then marathons.
NEK= Now you’ve become a marathon runner.
PIERO= Yes, I really like it, it makes me feel good.
IGNAZIO=……and who’s going to take it anymore!!
GIANLUCA= He’s our Forrest Gump.
PIERO= You know what, it’s also a way to meditate, so discovering it through exercise and proper nutrition, which I think is the foundation…
IGNAZIO= I can give you advice on nutrition, with a marriage and a child, I’ve gained 30 kg. 😁😁  So I’ll take care of the food.
NEK= You know what it’s called: marriage and a rock and roll baby.
Listen, Gianluca, but for all those who say,
“Oh well, I’ll think about it later,” we’re talking about twenty-five-year-olds, thirty-year-olds, forty-year-olds. How can we instill this awareness?
GIANLUCA= Obviously, it’s important to try to live a long life, but even more important is to try to live a broad life, that is, full of meaning, and that means…
NEK= …giving life a sense…
GIANLUCA= Exactly, having a full life, surrounded by love, being in touch with nature, being in touch with ourselves, and then mental health is important. Stress has a huge impact, and we are perhaps the generation that has broken down these barriers. Gen Z, the millennials, we are leaders in this. We are learning to know ourselves better and, why not, influence the older generations as well.
NEK= And this is very important.
WOMAN= And this is also the message for this evening, because even artists who can help scientists disseminate advice, you who are famous all over the world, feel this responsibility?
IGNAZIO = Each of us has a responsibility, we must be an example for everyone, not just artists who have an audience. Each of us has friends, family, and we must set an example for everyone.
Personally… I want to share an experience of mine, especially with younger people. Sometimes we look for an excuse to change our lives or to try to take care of ourselves. I’ve experienced it firsthand, starting to take care of myself when, unfortunately, I lost my father too soon. So, let’s not wait for the right moment to realize that we need to take care of ourselves; let’s start doing it now, right away.
WOMAN = Thanks, Ignazio.
NEK = Thanks to Il Volo, we’ll see you later.
IGNAZIO = See you later.
GIANLUCA = See you later.
PIERO = Bye.
(Immediately afterward, the second guest song: Grande Amore)
WOMAN = It’s an act of love, a great love, I’d say, and who could sing this Grande Amore to us? Il Volo!! (The song begins)
And here’s a review of Il Volo’s performance published by LIBERO.IT.
Il Volo isn’t joking around, and thankfully so. Rating: 8. If there’s still someone who dismisses everything with the word “boredom,” perhaps it’s time for them to refresh their understanding of live music. Ignazio, Gianluca, and Piero rocked the Circus Maximus with the tune “In Your Hands.” Not just a performance, but a demonstration of strength: vocal, artistic, and scenic. Every time they take the stage, they remind us of something we too often forget in Italy: they are an absolute excellence. Three young men who bring Italian music to the world with a credibility that many can only dream of. More than the national team that failed to win the World Cup, more than postcard stereotypes, more than pizza and the mandolin. Yet we continue to take them for granted. A mistake. Indeed, almost an outrage.
Several interviews from Il Volo have been published in recent days, with Ignazio, Gianluca, and Piero reuniting and giving interviews.
This particular one was published by IL MATTINO on June 17th in Naples.
Interview with Il Volo: “Success? It’s judged by the concerts, not the numbers on the platforms.”
Il Volo is coming to Naples and launching the September 8th concert at the Royal Palace of Caserta: “The setting deserves a special tribute. In addition to -O sole mio-, we could do another Neapolitan classic, perhaps -Marechiaro-, a real tongue twister.”
Globetrotters from the front of the stage, Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble are taking a day off in Naples—but a day off is a bit of a stretch, as they’re taking advantage of the opportunity to meet the press and launch their September 8th concert in front of the Royal Palace of Caserta.
“It will be the last stop on our summer tour; we’ll tour Italy, Spain, and Greece,” anticipates Gianluca Ginoble, the trio’s baritone and sex symbol. “The setting is one of those that gives our work the most meaning, allowing us to highlight the continuity that exists in Italy between music, culture, art, and great beauty.” “For that occasion, we’ll have to come up with something,” reflects Piero Barone, the trio’s most lyrical tenor. “Our repertoire already includes ‘O sole mio,’ which we perform all over the world, but we could add another Neapolitan classic, perhaps ‘Marechiare,’ a real tongue twister. But so far, I’ve done it alone a few times; we should all prepare it.” Ignazio Boschetto, the other tenor, with a voice both light and powerful, is ready for the challenge: “It’s true, if you lose the rhythm in the pronunciation of the words, you never find it again. It also happens in ‘Il tempo delle cattedrali,’ one of the key pieces from ‘Notre Dame de Paris.’”
Speaking of signature tunes, you just recorded “Cuerpo sin alma” with Carlos Rivera.
Barone: “We’ve had a good relationship with him, a Mexican Latin music star, for a while now, and we wanted to do something together. We were looking for the most suitable song, but he told us about this Riccardo Cocciante song that his father used to listen to. When he told us the title, we didn’t immediately understand that…”
Was it the translation of “Bella senz’anima”?
Barone: “Exactly. And it seemed perfect, especially since Riccardo had come to us as a guest during the “Tutti per uno” television concerts on Canale 5 and had proposed it himself. It seemed like a sign of destiny.”
While we’re at it, shall we talk about the 2026 edition of “Tutti per uno”?
Boschetto: “We’re working on it; the event is September 24th to 26th in Mantua, Palazzo Te. We’re finalizing the cast.”
So, let’s get back to the Caserta concert. Aside from the tribute to cantaNapoli, what repertoire will you be performing?
Barone: “It will be divided into three acts.”
Boschetto: “Like a massive opera.”
Ginoble: “We want to tell the story of who we are, who we were, who we are becoming.”
Let me explain a little better.
Ginoble: “We started as youngsters, with a magnificent management team. We’ve done great things, and also made mistakes, which are the most important lessons, because you learn not to make them again. We’re growing, we want to choose the direction we want to take, proud of the songs we have in our lineup, of the projects dedicated to Morricone or the Three Tenors, but also with the desire to contribute to building our future.”
Barone: “The three movements will bring together our most classical and lyrical songbook, the more pop-oriented one, and the one inspired by the experience of “Tutti per uno.” There’s room for trios, for duets, for solo performances…”
You’ll be back on tour in the States starting in November. You can’t live on platforms alone, after all.
Barone: “No, I actually think that today, true success should be judged by concerts rather than by streaming. Young people have more time than adults to listen, experience music at any time of day, post it, repost it, comment on it… Our audience, however, chooses to come hear us every night, drives, buys tickets… And we’re still here, 17 years later.”
Ginoble: “I respect artists like La Niña and Andrea Laszlo De Simone; they prove that pursuing your artistic career doesn’t necessarily mean selling your soul to the devil.”
Barone: “Then there are compromises: with the market, with managers, with the public, with record companies. But the important thing is to be faithful to your dreams.”
You were talking about mistakes along the way. Can you name at least one?
“In 2019, we came in third at Sanremo with “Musica che resta,” behind Mahmood and Ultimo. But we don’t perform that song live, we’ve never done it; it was impossible to repeat the success of 2015 with “Grande amore.” While “Capolavoro,” which even at the 2024 Festival, an edition featuring all the talents (Mahmood, Geolier, Mannoia, Annalisa, Angelina Mango), placed eighth, has become our other personal classic.
The interview included two videos, which are combined into this one, which I’m sharing and translating.
I want to emphasize that the interview was conducted by Federico Vacalepre, the man who harshly denigrated Il Volo with harsh and vulgar language in the press room at the 2019 Sanremo Festival. 🤬🤬

CLICK HERE to view the Facebook video

GIANLUCA= The Royal Palace of Caserta will close the Italian summer tour, which begins in early July. The first time we sang at the Royal Palace of Caserta was with Placido Domingo, if I’m not mistaken. Yes, we then had the opportunity to perform a concert in 2024 after the Sanremo Festival with Capolavoro, and obviously it’s a setting that helps; our music can become a soundtrack for these prestigious venues, so we’re very happy to bring our music to the Royal Palace of Caserta again.
PIERO= This year we somehow decided to divide the concert into three acts to showcase Il Volo’s identity, what Il Volo is today, from Grande Amore to O Sole Mio, a song that cannot be missing from the Caserta setlist of the Italian tour, and what Il Volo will be in the near future.
GIANLUCA= There will also be a part dedicated to TUTTI PER UNO where we will sing individually and there will also be duets so we will alternate, not just the three of us all the time, so it will also be interesting to see this new part live.
IGNAZIO= For us, Neapolitan song has become a very important part of our show, especially for the whole world, and we still have to decide which song to sing…
PIERO = Can I challenge the guys?
Since last year at TUTTI PER UNO I sang “Marechiare,” which is a very difficult tongue twister, we’ll try to sing it in Caserta.
Then Il Volo was interviewed by Radio Kiss Kiss on the program “Fuori tutto”—a fun interview!!
Turn on the subtitles!

I can say that after a well-deserved break, a truly great live return for Il Volo. Piero, Gianluca, and Ignazio sounded at their best, their voices magnificent and rested.
The interviews were also great; in short, I’m completely satisfied, but I’d also like to hear your comments.
Daniela 🤗

 

Credit to owners of all photos and videos.

General news

INTERVIEWS by Daniela

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In this period of apparent calm and lack of concerts, I’m offering you the translation of three wonderful interviews with our guys.
The first was published in the newspaper LA GAZZETTA DI MANTOVA.
Il Volo: “Fascinated by Palazzo Te. We’ll have many guests on stage.”
The internationally renowned trio talks about themselves before their live dates scheduled for September 24th, 26th and 27th at the Esedra.
This year, the Esedra of Palazzo Te will once again host the fourth edition of Tutti per uno, scheduled for September 24, 26, and 27. This project, organized and produced by Friends & Partners and conceived by Michele Torpedine, features Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble. In short, Il Volo, an internationally renowned group, talks about themselves in this interview with the Gazzetta.
When asked why Mantua was chosen for the second consecutive year, the immediate response is a quip:
“They forced us.” 
It’s enough to break the ice and transform the interview into an informal chat, consistent with the direct and spontaneous nature of the three artists. Immediately afterward, however, the tone changes:
“Mantua was truly surprising. Palazzo Te is a magical place. Honestly, we didn’t know it well, and when we arrived, we were amazed.” 
They add:
“Seeing it on television was even more wonderful. We came from the Verona Arena and other very important contexts, but Palazzo Te managed to maintain the level we desired. When things are going well, you have to ride them, so we decided to return.”
The guests for the next edition are still top secret for now. The trio emphasizes that there are still several months to go and many confirmations to be made. “We can only say that there will be guests from previous editions, but also many new ones,” explains Piero. One thing is already certain, however: around 90 songs in total on the setlist.
The new single
Then comes the new single “Cuerpo sin alma,” created with Carlos Rivera, one of the most important voices in contemporary Latin music. The song, out Friday, May 22nd on all digital platforms, is a reinterpretation of Riccardo Cocciante’s “Bella senz’anima,” revisited with an Italian-Latin twist and already available for pre-save. “It’s a project designed primarily for the Latin American and South American market,” explains Gianluca. “Carlos is a friend of ours, and we were looking for something to do together. He suggested this song, which was very famous in South America in the 1960s and 1970s.”
The idea, adds Ignazio, is twofold: “On the one hand, to bring this music back to those who experienced it in those years, on the other, to make it known to new generations.”
The human journey
Speaking about future tours and their many years of career together, the three reflect on their personal and artistic journey. “We’re no longer the same as when we were 15. Traveling the world for 17 years shapes you so much.” Today, they feel more mature, more patient, and more willing to listen. “Living together teaches you so much,” they emphasize.
Finally, they reflect on the theme of mistakes:
“Today, everyone wants everything right away, but on the path to a dream, there are inevitably mistakes and failures. And it’s precisely that middle part that’s the most beautiful, because it’s the path that makes you grow.”
The second interview was published by the newspaper LA GAZZETTA DEL SUD and reports an interview with Piero and Ignazio, enjoy.
“Sometimes he says stupid things that you’d just tell him to shut up.” Il Volo on allergies, missed trips, and solo dreams: “If it were just a business, it would have ended 10 years ago.” THE INTERVIEW
An interview with the two members of the popular Sicilian trio. Piero Barone and Ignazio Boschetto announce their new summer tour, debuting in Syracuse and returning to Taormina, and discuss what has kept them together for 17 years.
“Have you ever wanted to go on stage dressed as bad guys and smash everything?”
The question remains there, hanging, to break the ice and the cliché.
Piero Barone smiles with the composure of someone who truly feels that jacket is tailor-made for him. Ignazio Boschetto, on the other hand, allows himself one of his trademark grimaces, the kind of grimace of someone who respects the script but knows where to write his own part.
Gianluca Ginoble, the third point of the Il Volo triangle, is missing. “No purge,” they both joke, “today we’re playing with a majority of Sicilians.”
Roots flourishing now that talk of the new, upcoming summer tour is underway (dates that precede the fourth edition of “Tutti per uno” – September 24, 26, and 27 at Palazzo Te in Mantua, subsequently broadcast on Canale 5. The return to Italian arenas is in December, while a new European leg involving the continent’s major capitals is planned for the fall of 2027). Meanwhile, two dates weigh more heavily than the others on the World Tour calendar: July 11 at the Greek Theater in Syracuse and August 22-23 in Taormina.
If Taormina is a homecoming, a perimeter where every stone and every acoustic reverberation is familiar, Syracuse is the unknown. A complete debut, almost a flash of light that would dazzle even those who have graced stages across the globe.
“We’ve taken the best seats,” confesses Piero.
But it’s not just a matter of homeland; it’s more about children, and therefore about people, about the audience.
There’s a certain rhetoric about the Italian warmth, but what is it that’s really missing in Italy abroad?
“It’s not love or the way to show it,” they explain. “It’s a question of codes, of gut instinct. Even if we’re abroad, we still think in our own language and in translation; instinct gets lost in that transition. In Italy, you speak the way you eat. Interaction is spontaneous, immediate. It’s part of us.”
Then we return to that almost need for control that Barone asserts without embarrassment. “I am what you see. I like to have everything under control, to experience things calmly but precisely. I also have a sense of humor, it’s just that my teammates often don’t understand it.” “Ironic?” Ignazio immediately cuts him off with a laugh. “Sometimes he says such stupid things that you just want to say, ‘Please, shut up.’ But yes, in his rigidity, he’s hilarious.”
No smashed guitars, then, at least in the near future. No rock and roll thrills. Just a straight-laced discipline, despite the twists and turns of the road. And a lot, a lot of awareness (which rhymes with professionalism). Also because, “if you indulge in excess the night before, you pay for it the next day.” No scotch in the glass, just hazelnut coffee (Piero’s new passion, which he sips throughout our chat).
The question is there. Whether being together for 17 years, crammed into such an all-encompassing group identity, isn’t ultimately a forced democracy. A golden cage for cashing in.
Ignazio’s answer is clear and direct: “If it had been just business, it would have ended ten years ago. We have an almost messianic mission: to keep this musical genre alive, to bring it to young people, to reawaken the nostalgia of those who lived through the Pavarotti era. This unites us beyond any misunderstanding. Today, the world is moving toward individualism, but we exist and resist as a group. This is what is sometimes hard to understand.”
Yet the gnawing sting of personal ambition is human. Sooner or later, someone in every band wants to step out of the common car and travel on their own.
Piero doesn’t hide: “It’s a legitimate question. Gianluca has his inclinations towards pop music, and perhaps one day, if it’s ever possible, I might want to indulge in the whim of producing an opera. But today we know that our center of gravity is Il Volo. Today we know that together we have a strength we could only dream of alone.”
They became famous before they even wanted to.
A sliding door called “Ti lascio una canzone,” which they crossed at just 15 years old. When asked what they missed from normal life, the answer is clear. Ignazio had an adolescence, between scooters and hanging out with peers. Piero less so. “I never went on school trips. Never been to Selinunte, for example. I was severely allergic to dust, I couldn’t risk it. The only trip I ever took was to the Alcantara Gorges, and I came home speechless. A disaster.”
Now that they’re adults, the balance sheet closes with a game of mirrors. No mincing words, just a blunt concept dedicated to each other. Piero looks at Ignazio and says, “Honesty.” Ignazio returns the look and says of Piero, “Perseverance.”
The third interview was published by IMUSICFUN, enjoy reading it.
Il Volo, a never-ending journey through melody and bel canto: “We’re not just ambassadors, we love music.”
A musical journey spanning seventeen years, uniting generations and bringing the Italian opera-pop tradition to the world’s most prestigious stages. Following the extraordinary success of their leg in arenas across the United States and Latin America, Il Volo is preparing to conquer the summer of 2026 with a tour spanning Italy, Greece, and Spain.
In a detailed interview with La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno, Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble open up about their new single, their deep connection to Italian tradition, and their highly anticipated performance in Barletta, Puglia, on August 7th.
The new single: “Cuerpo sin alma” featuring Carlos Rivera
The trio recently announced the release of their new single “Cuerpo sin alma,” a stunning international reinterpretation of Riccardo Cocciante’s classic “Bella senz’anima,” performed in a duet with Mexican star Carlos Rivera. The song features the prestigious production of Julio Reyes Copello, a multiple Grammy award winner who has previously collaborated with icons such as Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, and Ricky Martin.
Regarding the genesis of this collaboration, the trio explains:
“Meanwhile, the collaboration with Carlos Rivera was spontaneous. We’d met for dinner and promised to do something together, also because his father was an admirer of Cocciante. Traveling the world, we realized that abroad they love what they don’t have and can’t have or create for cultural or anthropological reasons. A heritage like the Italian one, born in a country that laid the foundations for creating music in every aspect, is fascinating. And we, in our own small way, try to continue the tradition of bel canto because there aren’t many other singers our age who bring it to the world.”
Ambassadors of Bel Canto around the world: a great responsibility
Often described as the true diplomats of Italian music abroad, the three artists live by this label with extreme humility but also with great awareness. When asked if they truly feel like “ambassadors of Italy to the world,” they respond:
“It’s a subjective matter, but a great responsibility, for example, is to try to keep our enthusiasm alive when we sing, to be as consistent as possible with the choices we make. It’s true, some call us ambassadors of bel canto, but that’s only a consequence of how we feel and experience music.”
A success that is not only aimed at a nostalgic audience, but is also reaching an increasingly younger audience thanks to the timeless power of the melody:
“Just see one of our concerts. It’s true that initially, our television career, especially, was followed by an older audience, but our goal has always been to bring this genre to our peers, because today’s platforms offer more commercial tracks, but the melody is absolutely transversal. There’s a significant segment of the audience that has grown up with us.”
From Pavarotti to Operatic Pop: Great Collaborations
Il Volo’s stylistic hallmark lies precisely in their ability to break down barriers between musical genres, a path already blazed in the past by the giants of classical and pop music.
“Obviously, we took inspiration from Luciano Pavarotti; he was the first to do so and to understand the true power of this music, which could reach a wider audience. In Italy, we’re so accustomed to melody that we almost reject it; in England, for example, Adele’s most-listened-to songs are all ballads with orchestra. It’s also not true that romanticism is dead, and perhaps we should start talking about it again, offering less frivolous content. It’s not a war, absolutely, because there’s light music and more challenging music depending on the moment, but, as far as we’re concerned, we like to mix genres, singing with those artists who have become friends today.”
A perfect balance that requires obsessive care of the most important instrument: the voice.
“It takes self-love. In the past, there were times when we were a little more distracted, but today we take singing lessons, we follow a more defined path, we’re always trying to improve. People think that singing is simple, you lean in and breathe, but it’s precisely that knowledge of yourself and your body that makes the difference on stage, and if you don’t take care of it, you won’t have a very long career.”
The 2026 summer tour
The summer tour will see Il Volo perform in Italy’s most evocative historic locations. Among the most anticipated events is the fourth edition of “Tutti per Uno” (a format created by manager Michele Torpedine and produced by Friends & Partners), which will take place on September 24, 26, and 28 in the splendid setting of Palazzo Te in Mantua.
“We decided to celebrate these 17 years together and promised to do something together, but then we got carried away and added more dates. Summer tours in Italy allow us to see wonderful places, and the food in areas like Puglia and Basilicata is so good…”
The secret of 17 years of success together
Starting an international career at a very young age and pursuing it together for nearly twenty years is a rarity in the contemporary music scene. So, what is the secret to Il Volo’s longevity?
“It takes intelligence, not just from ourselves, but also from the people around us. It helps eliminate that ego, because in a group, egos can’t exist; you have to work as a team. We’ve learned this in all these years traveling the world: there’s nothing more beautiful than sharing emotions and goals. And we, who experience such high adrenaline rushes, when we achieve something, we want to celebrate it with others.”
And the last interview is a nice video with English and Hungarian translations. In it the boys talk about their upcoming summer concert in Malaga in July.

CLICK HERE to view the Facebook reel

I hope you enjoyed these four interviews. Our three guys are on vacation, relaxing with family and friends, and we don’t want to disturb them, but soon they’ll be guests at an event with many singers.
That’s all for now, I’m also translating a long interview Luca Maggiti did with Gianluca, very serious and different…..see you soon!!
Daniela 🤗

 

Credit to owners of all photos.

Tour News

WORLD TOUR: OHIO – MICHIGAN – ILLINOIS by Daniela

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The U.S.  West Coast and Midwest tour is coming to a close, and these are the final three concerts.

April 29  Columbus, Ohio

The concert was at the Palace Theatre.

O SOLE MIO

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SMILE

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E LUCEVAN LE STELLE

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IL MONDO

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NESSUN DORMA

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May 1  Detroit, Michigan

The concert was at the beautiful Fox Theatre.

DON’T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA

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WHERE DO I BEGIN

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LOVE ME TENDER

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TI VOGLIO TANTO BENE

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MUSIC OF THE NIGHT

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At the Detroit concert there were several Flight Crew fans and also our administrator, Jana, whose beautiful review of the concert you read, then there were RoseMarie Paliobes and Mark and Mary Minton.
The Mintons sent us their lovely commentary and photos:
“Hi Daniela, we’re in Detroit, and last night we went to the Il Volo concert! It was wonderful, as always. I didn’t take many videos or photos because I had a rather large man sitting a couple of rows in front of me who would have been in every shot. We also attended the soundcheck and the meet and greet after the show. They changed up the show a bit, opening with “O Sole Mio.” The first half of the concert was entirely dedicated to Italian classics—including “Granada”—while the second half was mostly in English. A truly fantastic mix of songs. We also have tickets to see them in Boston and Connecticut in November. Hugs to everyone! Mary.”
Thanks Mary and Mark, it must have been a lovely evening!!

May 2 Rosemont, Illinois

The concert was at Rosemont Theatre.

NELLE TUE MANI

ADDIO FIORITO ASIL

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LIBIAM DE LIETI CALICI + LA DONNA È MOBILE

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Funny Moments

GRANDE AMORE

SE

HALLELUJAH

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And now enjoy this fun interview, recorded in Bologna before leaving for the U.S. East Coast tour, and conducted by San Marino RTV (remember, San Marino is a small state within Italy) in anticipation of Eurovision.
The interview is conducted in English and Italian (turn on subtitles to understand Italian).
It begins with a nice overview of Bologna.

I’m always happy to read comments from people who’ve never heard Il Volo before.
This was written by photographer David Warren Clements, who attended one of their concerts for the first time. Below are some of his photos.
“We journeyed to way south of town to photograph a group that until recently I had not heard of….I love the fact that there is so many different types of music….pretty amazing the diversity of appealing sound.
These three gents, Gianluca Ginoble, Piero Barone & Ignazio Boschetto call themselves Il Volo.”
And finally, this nice review done by HIVE MAGAZINE right after the Dallas concert.
REVIEW: We went to see Il Volo at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas, Texas!

CLICK HERE to view the article

The recent performance by Il Volo at the Winspear Opera House was an evening that blended classical elegance with contemporary charm, leaving the Dallas audience both awed and energized. Known for their powerful operatic pop style, the trio Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble demonstrated once again why they continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
From the moment the lights dimmed, the atmosphere in the room shifted into something almost reverential. The venue provided the perfect backdrop for Il Volo’s soaring harmonies. Opening with a dramatic number that showcased their vocal range, the trio immediately established control over the room. Their voices distinct yet seamlessly blended filled every corner of the hall, drawing listeners into a rich emotional landscape.
The setlist moved fluidly between Italian classics, operatic arias, and modern reinterpretations of popular songs. Highlights included their renditions of ‘Nessun Dorma’ and ‘Grande Amore,’ both delivered with technical precision and emotional depth. Each member had moments to shine individually, but it was in their harmonized passages that the true magic of Il Volo emerged. Their ability to balance power with nuance is a testament to years of training and performance experience.
What made the evening particularly engaging was the trio’s rapport with the audience. Between songs, they shared anecdotes, jokes, and reflections, creating a sense of intimacy despite the grandeur of the setting. Their charm felt genuine, never forced, and it helped bridge the gap between classical performance and modern entertainment.
One of the most striking aspects of the concert was how Il Volo managed to be both serious and fun at the same time. Their musical approach is undeniably rooted in discipline and tradition with every note carefully controlled, every phrase thoughtfully delivered. Yet, they infused the performance with a playful energy that kept the evening from feeling overly formal. Whether it was a lighthearted exchange between the members or a spontaneous moment of audience interaction, they showed that even the most refined music can be accessible and enjoyable. This balance allowed them to honor the integrity of the pieces while still inviting the audience to relax and be entertained.
The orchestral accompaniment further elevated the performance, providing a lush, cinematic quality that complemented the trio’s vocals. The synergy between the singers and musicians was evident, particularly in the more dynamic pieces where timing and coordination were crucial.
By the final encore, the audience was on its feet, responding with a standing ovation that felt both earned and inevitable. Il Volo’s performance at the Winspear Opera House was a demonstration of how classical music can evolve without losing its soul. For both longtime fans and newcomers, the evening served as a reminder of the enduring power of the human voice when paired with passion, skill, and a touch of charisma.
And the U.S. West Coast and Midwest tour is over!
There’s a lot of satisfaction and fulfillment, the fans are happy, and everything went well.
Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca have returned home to Italy, for a little rest.
See you soon:
Daniela 🤗

Credit to owners of all photos and videos.

17 Years, Concert Photos/Reviews

Il Volo Fox Detroit May 1, 2026: Two Thumbs Up!!

36 Comments

Hello All!  Ciao a tutti!

 

It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed a concert here.  Their last performance here in 2025, for me, was met with sadness, as my dear friend had just come home from the hospital, after surviving a very tragic car accident, resulting in rescuers having to use the “jaws of life” to get her out, a compound broken leg, and nearly breaking her neck!  I had bought her the ticket for her birthday/Christmas present last year and she wasn’t able to attend.  We also didn’t have our usual front row orchestra pit seats, due to the crazy prices, so had to settle for 2nd row behind orchestra pit.  They were ok seats, but it just wasn’t the same and they seemed so far away!

We also couldn’t afford meet/greets, so all that combined, I left the concert feeling that something was just missing from the whole evening.  Even though I had arranged a fun party bus to take us downtown, which worked out well, along with our pre-concert dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant, it just wasn’t the same.

2026

It had been a hectic week at work, planning for several all-day meetings, with breakfast/lunch being delivered and an almost all-day meeting on Thursday the day before the concert.  Luckily, I did take Friday off.  But still had to coordinate driver pick-up timing and then deal with unexpected possible construction issues.  I planned as much as I could and there were still a few hiccups, but in the end, everything worked out.

Betty flew up from New Orleans and stayed with me, while Magdalena drove up from Toledo, also staying with me the night of the concert.  It was a full house with them, me, my mom, a new dog, and Topaz! 🙂 

So, on to the show…..

After we finally made it to our seats, needing to stop at will-call to have Betty’s ticket printed out, since she was not able to access it on her phone and we ended up printing everyone’s ticket, which really made it easier all around (I’ll have to remember that for next time instead of housing them all on my phone), I was finally settled and relaxed.  We sat right behind Rose Marie P., who had already attended 3 other concerts!  Even though not front row, the 2nd row proved to be great!

They opened with “O Sole Mio” and then went into “Granada”. For once they didn’t have all the flashing and strobing lights, like the last few shows.  They had a few, but then it died down and had like these electric candles in alcoves on the stage.  Pretty low fanfare, as far as that goes.  The guys brought great maturity, but were still able to bring forth some of their old humor and camaraderie, as Ignazio did “my” favorite thing he does with Piero when he sings the one long note in Granada, where he acts like he is winding him up behind his back.  They hadn’t done that in many years/concerts!

The ”two thumbs up” must be a new thing with Ignazio – he did it several times during the show.  😊

After a few more songs, they chatted a bit, saying how wonderful it was to come back to the Fox, their home, and how they are celebrating 17 years together, as well as thanking some family-like friends that were in the audience.

The one bling that was almost brighter than the lights was Gianluca’s personal bling!  He had on his usual diamond tennis bracelet, but had added this diamond ring.  It looked like just one big diamond across the band, but we were able to enlarge a picture he posted from Instagram and it was a row of diamonds across.  But we could see it pretty clearly from the 2nd row!  He is also sporting a tiny gold hoop earring now, maybe just for concerts?

Ignazio’s tie was pretty classy, kind of gray/black with a vertical row of crystals going down the front. Ignazio, a bit plumper than we’ve seen him in a while, wore a nice vest with his tuxedo.  Piero had on black with a pretty sparkly brooch on his lapel, as well as wearing a cummerbund.  Piero commented that Ignazio is now a new father and Ignazio parlayed back with “it is not new anymore?” and Piero and Gianluca saying that Gabrielle had the two best “uncles.”  Piero commented on Ignazio’s few extra pounds, with Ignazio trying to make light of it saying “what, since I am a new father, now I am fat?”  or something like that – I can’t remember it exactly…. 😉

Their voices – OMG!  We always seem to say they get better and better, but somehow, they really do!  For the first time in a while, the sound at the Fox was just superb.  Their voices magnificent.  Someone told me Ignazio was taking opera lessons now. They must have mentioned it at a prior concert, but they didn’t at Detroit.  However, you could really tell with his voice on the more operatic songs, in how he held his notes, the timbre of his voice and the technique in which he reached the higher notes.  His mouth seemed much more relaxed and open when reaching for those high notes, projecting clear into the balcony!  I swear, I don’t think they even needed mics, they sang everything with such power.

Another comedy scene, was when they had just finished singing “Ecstasy of Gold” and then Piero addressed the audience saying how the previous song and next song were written by the great Italian composer, etc., (of course most of us likely knew it was Ennio Morricone) and then Ignazio comes over and they have this discussion back and forth, with Ignazio asking Piero, “but who is this composer?  You didn’t tell them who wrote the last one.”  Of course Ignazio kept interrupting him each time he tried to tell us it was Morricone, and was trying to say “signore and signori”… and finally gave up and said “ladies and gentleman” “Se” from Cinema Paradiso…

Earlier, before they sang their solos, they told us how they chose Ignazio to sing his first, as they lightly bantered back and forth, finally leaving Ignazio on the stage to perform his new solo.  I was really hoping for one the many songs he sings in English all over Europe, but no, he actually sang something a little more special!  He commented on how he sang this for the first time at their concert from 2011, at the Detroit Opera House, actually about 15 years ago, “Ti Voglio Tanto Bene!!”  Oh, it was glorioso and magnifico!  It’s definitely not one we hear too often.

Piero sang a new solo as well, from some opera set in the United States, forgive me, I can’t remember what opera it was, but I’d never heard of it. 😉

Gianluca’s solo, was a haunting medley of a few Elvis songs.  It started out with the lights on the stage very low, where you could barely detect the profile outline of his face with the lights glowing behind it.  It got a little lighter as the songs went on, but was mostly sung in the shadows (see below).  In the beginning, before he sang the songs, he spoke this beautiful intro about the legacy of Elvis and what he left us with and then when on to sing Love Me Tender, then Dixie, then went into the Glory, Glory, Hallelujah, ……

They also did what they called a medley of “showtune” songs and did this cute little intro with Ignazio saying how they went to see the “Lion’s King” in New York many years ago and how much he liked it.  They then joked with him that there was just “one” Lion, and Igna pointed out the he was really the “king” of the “lions?” therefore “Lion’s” King.  I think he had a point?  Lol!  Much to my surprise, they didn’t sing “Can You Feel the Love?” from the Lion King, but Igna went on to sing one of my most favorite solos of his, “Tonight,” from West Side Story.  Oh, I so love that song and it was gorgeous!  Piero sang “Where do I Begin?” from Love Story, and Gianluca sang his awesome solo of “Music of the Night,” from Phantom of the Opera.  Then at the end, they all sang the big chorus of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” from Evita! – a huge surprise on that one!  You’d think they would have sang Maria, as well?

One really special moment of the concert, when they were singing Caruso (I think), they let a “grandmother” come up to the stage and give Piero a bouquet of flowers.  He was on the left side of the stage, near the piano.  He was really surprised and of course, gracious, while singing.  After he sang his part, they changed places and he went to center stage and he was just grinning from ear to ear, maybe even a little blushing, I wish I could have caught a picture, but I didn’t.  If anyone remembers the scene from White Christmas, where Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby help out the “sisters” and lip sync to “Sister” and at the end, Bing Crosby has this really big grin on his face, that is what Piero reminded me of!  😊

A nice touch this time, they prompted the audience to sing along on a few songs, like Funiculi, Funicula; Il Mondo, Hallelujah, and Grand Amore on the choruses.  It was really nice!  And of course, most know by now that Giampiero Grani is their new conductor!  They also introduced each other, but none of the orchestra?  Maybe they were all DSO folks?  At the end, they did a little encore and came back to sing “Nessun Dorma,” and then it was over.

A big thank you to Rose Marie, who provided me with the setlist from Detroit!  It comes with a misterioso footprint on it!  As well as refreshed my memory on songs that were not listed!!  😊

I would have taken more pictures, but I had lost half my battery trying to resolve an issue.  ☹

I literally got goosebumps, so many times during the show!  I have to say I truly enjoyed this one so much, more than I thought I would.  It was just like the perfect mix of songs, talking, jokes, interaction, etc.  Even the Fox Gestapo wasn’t trying to stop us from taking pictures or videos for once!  At the end, they also allowed some of the folks to approach the stage, with no security from where I sat, and the guys smiled, laughed, and shook hands.  I don’t know, it’s like the whole concert just had a different feel to it for some reason?

Now, for a little morning side trip story….

Sharon, bless her heart, wanted to do something big for the guys again, celebrating their 17 years together!  However, most things didn’t quite work out, except for this one thing.  I live in Farmington Hills, MI and Farmington, MI (technically our sister city) just recently became a sister city to Vacri, a city in the Abruzzo region.  Being that Gianluca was “Man of the Year” for Abruzzo, I thought it was a really cool connection to Gianluca and Il Volo. So, Sharon did her best and was able to get the Mayor of Farmington, Joseph LaRussa (very active in the local Italian community and strongly promoted this concert), wrote a beautiful letter to give to the guys.  See photo…hope you can read it.  If you click on the picture, it will make it bigger. Sharon was able to snag a last-minute meet/greet and gave it to the guys.  They were so touched and thrilled and they actually asked Sharon, “Can we keep this?”  😊  Like, no, we’re taking it back.  Lol!

Oh yeah, I had to go to the mayor’s office that morning and pick it up! 😊  No, didn’t get to meet the mayor, but the City Manager, a very nice lady, had it all ready and she said, he had “just signed it!”  We had gotten there about 11a or so.  On Saturday, I messaged the mayor on FaceBook and told him the letter was a success and thanked him for doing it.  He said, “I’m so glad!”

Most of the pictures here are mine, but a few are from Rose Marie and Magdalena, and the OMGVIP pic with Sharon and the certificate.  Thank you, ladies!  No videos…. I noticed there didn’t seem to be a lot of videos surfacing from the Detroit concert…?  Maybe the Gestapo was sneakier than I thought?! 😉

Til we meet again!

 

 

Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!