Which One is the Good, Which One is the Bad, Which One is the Ugly? by Giovanna
Jana
The Il Volo guys seem to be making the rounds of the Italian (and other) media to promote their upcoming album and tour. The interview below is translated from an article on the Il Volo Italian Fan page by Stefania Zizzari. You may have seen it pop up on Instagram or Facebook. The original article is shown here and fully translated down below.
The red caption near the top says: “In an enchanted place. Gianluca Ginoble (26) Ignazio Boschetto (27) and Piero Barone (28) are the stars of the short film by Oscar winner Vittorio Storaro dedicated to Ennio Morricone, shot in the grotto of Frasassi (in Ancona province, 50 years after its discovery). The guys from Il Volo interpret “Your Love” from the movie “Once Upon a Time in the West.”
The blue caption says: “In 2011 on stage with the Maestro in Piazza del Popolo we were very excited. And He: “Take it easy, I’ll tell you when to lead off.”
All three of us are a little good, bad and ugly.
By Stefania Zizzari
The first time that Gianluca Ginoble, Ignazio Boschetto and Piero Barone met Maestro Ennio Morricone was informally at Forum Studios of Rome, the recording studios where the guys were working on their first album. It was 2010. The following year, Morricone invited them to perform in Piazza del Popolo accompanied by the Rome Symphony orchestra, which he conducted. “We were very young and very excited”, remembers Gianluca “We missed the starting cue and the Maestro said “Don’t worry guys, I’ll deal with it.”
Today those three “little boys” are grown up and to the Maestro, whom we lost last year, they are dedicating a tribute with their extraordinary new record “Il Volo Sings Morricone,” interpreting his most famous soundtracks. Among these is “The Ecstasy of Gold” from Sergio Leone’s film, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” with the lyrics written by Maestro Andrea Morricone, son of the composer. For the video of this track they chose the same setting as the film, which location also inspires the cover of the album.
Gianluca, Piero, Ignazio: which of you is the good one, the ugly one and the bad one?
Gianluca: It depends on the day. We are all three of us a little good, and little ugly and a little bad (laughing).
The album is a tribute to the immense work of Maestro Morricone.
Piero: It’s been like discovering an entire world. Did you know the Maestro wrote “Se Telefonando” inspired by the siren of a passing ambulance, while he was in line at the Post Office?
Gianluca: We would like to make these masterpieces familiar even to the youngest [listeners].
In March you will leave for a world tour: a hundred dates throughout the United States, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Europe, and Italy. How are you getting ready?
Ignazio: We can’t wait to go. On the repertoire of Maestro Morricone, we were already prepared for the event at the Arena di Verona in June (which will be rerun on Raiuno (RAI1) on November 10, the date of the Maestro’s birthday, editor) and we are ready. And then we also work out, take care of our nutrition, and rest a lot, because there will be months of fast pace: we sing, we travel, we keep moving, we change hotels. It’s stressful, but it’s what we love doing.
What do you always bring with you?
Piero: A “Smart Watch” so I can monitor my training. Ignazio and I play tennis and we have tried to bring along our rackets, but it’s complicated to find a court and the time to play.
Gianluca: An object belonging to a person dear to me, so I have them always with me.
Ignazio: I, even more than the others, because I’ll bring my girlfriend!
When you are overseas, what do you miss from Italy, besides your loved ones?
Gianluca: The food. We have a rigorous nutritional regimen so we don’t get weighed down before we sing. But for sure, I miss my mother’s Saturday night pizza
Ignazio: You ask for a chicken breast and they bring it with pesto on top!
Piero: I like to get up early in the morning and go running. In Italy, in every place, there’s a lovely fragrance, a particular light, something magical. Overseas, it isn’t always like that.
When you leave, who is the first one to arrive at the airport?
Gianluca: The most punctual has always been Piero, Ignazio and I have gotten better at it over time.
Piero: The one who has no discipline is Ignazio. This morning he was supposed to be ready at 9:30 for the press conference. I called him at 9:25 and . . . I woke him up!
Ignazio: That’s because I do things rock n’ roll style (laughing).
Who has the most baggage?
Ignazio: I’m the one who travels the lightest. Piero brings everything with him.
Piero: It’s true. Gianluca and I are the fussiest. Yesterday evening I recorded a video on the best way to fold your pants and jackets (laughing).
How do you use your free time during the tour?
Gianluca: I like to be a tourist and go around the city.
Piero: Me too. But first I have to find a trail to go running.
Ignazio: Relaxing in my room.
The caption under the picture of the album cover says:
A Tribute to the Maestro. Among the 14 tracks on the CD, which was released worldwide on November 5, there’s even an unedited version of “the Colors of Love” composed by Adrea Morricone, son of the Maestro.
What are the first three songs on your playlist?
Gianluca: “Moth to a Flame” by The Weekend, “After All” by Elton John and Charlie Puth, “Easy on Me” by Adele.
Piero: “My Way: sung by Simply Red, “La Musica e Finita” (The Music’s Over) by Ornella Vanoni, “Sign of the Times” by Harry Stiles.
Ignazio: It’s the time for “Fiore di maggio” (Flower of May) by Fabio Concate.
Unusual things from among the fans around the world?
Piero: The Japanese public is so attentive that when they listen to you, they close their eyes, and you ask yourself “Am I boring them?” Then suddenly they explode into applause: they have no middle ground.
Ignazio: In Honduras the public screamed so loud we couldn’t hear our own voices in our earpieces.
Gianluca: A fan in Kiev held up a poster that said it all, and we enjoyed it the most: “I love you more than pizza.”
Authors note: So, for those of you planning to attend Il Volo concerts during the US Tour, what are you going to write on your poster?
