The well-known Italian magazine SORRISI E CANZONI TV, has dedicated the cover photo to a beautiful image of IL VOLO, taken in Budapest.
Inside, a really nice article dedicated to Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio and which I translate for you.
Budapest, night interior.
Stained glass window of a room overlooking a square in the historic center.
Inside, in a slightly secluded area, a strange group of people is laughing, to tears: Ignazio has just hit the mark, on the third attempt, throwing a bottle cap with his thumb, inside a mug of beer, on the opposite side of the table.
Gianluca, between a miso soup and tempura shrimp, interrupts the river of jokes, to greet a young Greek tourist, who came over to ask for a selfie (during the day it was a continuous pilgrimage of fans of all ages and nationalities).
And while Ignazio sings the tune of a Robiola spot (an Italian soft-ripened cheese), and Piero is chatting with Priscilla (his friend, as well as Elvis Presley’s ex-wife), the manager Michele Torpedine uses the chopsticks of the Japanese restaurant, to give us a proof of his first life as a drummer.
All crazy for us, all normal for IL VOLO guys.
Il Volo celebrates their first ten years of career: while the tour that will take them to Latin America in October and to North America in February continues, on November 8th the collection of “10 Years” hits will be released worldwide.
Canale 5 will celebrate the anniversary with a great evening of honor, dedicated to the three stars, which will be broadcast in November.
And we, from Sorrisi, also reveal that Il Volo is preparing a surprise for all the fans: the appointment is November 10th in Piazza Duomo in Milan, for an extraordinary event, which will see their three incredible voices, and which will continue with the signature of “10 Years” at the Mondadori Megastore.
“We like to say that it is ten years of friendship, music and loyalty, the most important thing,” explains Gianluca. “We are three leaders and sometimes it is not easy to live together, but we have grown together and we have helped each other, both professionally and humanely. We are like brothers”.
The exact day, in which their partnership was born, is well printed in the memory of Il Volo: “It was April 25th 2009, third episode of TI LASCIO UNA CANZONE, Roberto Cenci, (director and creator of the talent led by Antonella Clerici, ed). He put us together and we sang ‘O Sole Mio’. From there it all started.”
How have you changed since then?
Ignazio: In addition to being physically, we have grown professionally. On stage, however, we feel the same adrenaline of the early days. Singing for us is not a job, but a passion, a fun, a way to feel complete.
The first time you met, what did you think of each other?
Piero: Ignazio was unpleasant to me. I remember him on the bus he was singing, but he was also the first one I tied with. Gianluca, instead, was in the group of dudes ……
Ignazio: I never thought about this, Gianluca was on the sidelines, but then it was natural to be together.
Gianluca: When you’re small and you’re on Rai1, you do everything they tell you.
The program lasted nine weeks and we were rivals, a bit of envy was created, and in those days we exchanged only a few words. But the success we received was incredible.
What’s left of those kids?
Piero: Everything. We are always us and we have fun at every concert. We have the same passion and spontaneity of those times. Before going on stage, we laugh about anything. We do not follow a script, we help each other and we get excited a little.
We are not spoiled. We have certain needs, just because we need them to stay healthy and do concerts well. The responsibility we have towards those who work with us, and the public, is enormous. If one of us gets sick and misses two or three concerts, it’s a disaster. So, to avoid the risk, maybe we avoid going to the disco.
Ignazio: Also because we always sing live. This summer, for example, after the concert in Palermo, I didn’t go out with friends, because the next day we had another concert in Taormina.
Gianluca: Musically speaking, we are always in search of perfection, and we strive to grow and make people understand who we are.
How can we grow as brothers without being brothers?
Piero: It was difficult, but lately our relationship has improved. Before, we did the spite, now we openly say to each other, what is wrong. There is no grudge between us.
Gianluca: There is a difference between being together for work, or by choice. In the first case there is a little tension, when instead we are together to have fun, it is another thing, indeed we should do it more often.
You have very different characters. What is your way of living love, family, friendship and social media?
Ignazio: I am the least social of the three. I know it’s important to keep my private for myself. A little privacy, it takes. My character is particular, I am sensitive, but very strong and hard. I do everything, but you must respect me.
Gianluca: I am a little narcissistic, because I need confirmation. In kindergarten, I always asked the teacher twice if I was good. And this insecurity, I brought it with me, until today.
Every day I hear my parents, my dearest ones, my girlfriend. I vent with them, as well as with Piero and Ignazio.
We love each other. On social media, if I put lots of photos, the fans are happy, the haters are a little less, but I continue to be myself.
Piero: We can’t hide anything between us. If I lie, they notice it.
With the people I know and choose, I am very generous, open, sunny. But I only trust my best friend, my brother and my sister. I have a big flaw: for me, either it’s white or it’s black, I give you my heart, but if you do me a wrong, you’re dead.
Gianluca: I have learned that we must try to understand why a person behaves in a certain way. I never hold a grudge. Piero instead gets angry, for the criticisms and the free offenses.
Piero: In fact, before I used social media so much, now only for work things.
The secrets of your success?
Piero: The first is that we study a lot. The second is our manager, Torpedine, who has been following us for years. The third is the music we sing.
Gianluca: But talent and work alone are not enough, sometimes timing counts. To be recognized, you have to be special, and we were the first to perform at a very young age, in bel canto: this struck people’s hearts.
Who are the hottest fans?
Gianluca: Perhaps the South Americans. (Torpedine told us that in Mexico, fans broke through the window of the hotel where they were staying, ed)
Piero: But even in Bulgaria, they showed us unexpected affection. And the Japanese, apparently so rigid, go wild during the concerts and come to the front of the stage.
Gianluca: Let’s say that with our performances, we help the public to free themselves. We tend to make a very engaging event, not a serious concert.
How can you not let this go to your head?
Gianluca: With intelligence you cannot get carried away by the wave of success, but the people who follow you and the support of the family matter a lot. Staying attached to the origins is the most important thing. If you let it go to your head, then people will notice it.
What are you missing when you’re on tour?
Gianluca: Normal life.
Ignazio: Waking up at home, carrying the dog around, everyday life.
Piero: After the concert at the Arena di Verona, I went home one day and enjoyed that moment, like never before. I felt an immense pleasure in going to the laundry and to the yogurt shop: it was how I did it for the first time.
Do you want to try your hand at some other musical genre?
Gianluca: If we changed genre, we would no longer be us and people would no longer recognize our music. In ten years, how do you see yourself?
Ignazio: Ten years ago, they asked us the same thing and we didn’t know what to answer. Our way of thinking has changed: so I would have answered married, with children, today not. Situations change.
Piero: I don’t know, new artists are born every day, the future is a question mark. We hope not to disappoint the fans.
Who do you want to thank for what you are now?
Piero: If today we celebrate ten years of career it is thanks to the fans, we have grown together and we hope to celebrate with them 50 years of career!
Gianluca: We thank the musical heritage we have, the bel canto, which has allowed us to travel around the world.
Ignazio: Words are not enough to thank all those who deserve it.
I say thanks to those who believed in us, Michele Torpedine, our manager, and those who work closely with us. And thanks to life, for what he has given us: voice and luck (word that has been tattooed on his arm, ed).
Piero: And thanks to Sorrisi for this cover and for having always supported us.
LOOK, WE’VE PEOPLE IN THEIR HOTEL ROOMS.
Piero: In the room I always ask that they cover the carpet with sheets, because I am allergic and I must preserve the voice.
I always have two suitcases, a big one with all the clothes and things I need (including Sicilian vacuum-packed almonds and natural tuna in a can) and an emergency trolley, with a second dress for the concert, for safety. And an agenda on which I record the commitments. Including this interview for Sorrisi.
Ignazio: When I’m on tour, in Italy, I always carry my guitar with me, abroad, unfortunately not.
I go to the gym, in fact we only choose hotels with a fitness area. In the room I relax as much as possible, maybe watching a soccer game on my mobile (I support Juventus). I also play football, as an offensive midfielder, and I’m pretty good. In fact, when I’m at home, every Wednesday, I go to play with friends. And when I can, I make two tennis matches with Piero.
Gianluca: I have no special requests and I adapt easily. I am very tidy, almost maniacal, I keep everything perfectly folded and I even line up my slippers. I am lactose intolerant and pay attention to what I eat: rice, fish, vegetables, protein snacks and for breakfast pancakes with egg whites and peanut butter.
Once a week we “go” with a pizza. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink and I have never got drunk in my life, because I don’t like losing control. I train early in the morning and go for a run. Sport has changed my character, I have become more willing and disciplined.
BACKSTAGE: How do I shoot a service for the cover of Sorrisi? Here is a nice backstage with the guys from Il Volo directed by our photographer Pigi Cipelli.
I = Hello everyone we are IL VOLO.
G = From Tuesday on the newsstands our cover on Sorrisi e Canzoni, which celebrates our 10-year career.
P = Don’t miss it, a hug from Budapest.
Really a beautiful article and beautiful photos, the boys responded with sincerity.
But how beautiful and natural they are in the backstage video !!
They are loving.
But what will they be preparing for Milan in November? I really hope to go there!
Daniela
Credit to owners of all photos and videos.