The tour continues apace, as Il Volo leaves Mexico, but before looking at the next stage I want to show you something that happened in Mexico and that I missed in the previous post, a beautiful marriage proposal made during the concert, while Il Volo was singing Nessun Dorma, how sweet!! ❤️❤️
With great anticipation, Il Volo resumed concerts. A few days ago, Ignazio Piero and Gianluca flew to the first stop of this long WORLD TOUR and arrived in Mexico because that’s where the tour will kick off:
March 3 MEXICO CITY
The concert was at the Auditorium National.
And it’s off to a great start because the Auditorium is sold out!
Start of the concert:
NOW WE ARE FREE (The Gladiator)
There were several surprises during the concert, Il Volo sangCOSTANTEMENTE MIA,a song they had sung in Mexico during their first appearances and now the song was performed together with a good Mexican singer: MAURA NAVA.
Another surprise was to sing the beautiful song CUERPO SIN ALMA, the Spanish version of the beautiful song BELLA SENZ’ANIMA by the talented Italian singer-songwriter Riccardo Cocciante, and special guest to sing it with Il Volo the very famous actor – singer in Mexico: CARLOS RIVERA.
In an interview, Ignazio said:
“The collaboration with Carlos Rivera began a few months ago, perhaps over a year ago, through a friendship. We met him; he’s a great person as well as a great artist. One idea led to another, and we decided to pay homage to the great Riccardo Cocciante because his song “BELLA SENZ’ANIMA” was a hit all over the world, especially here in Latin America, so we decided to sing it together.”
Carlos Rivera stated: “I admire all you, my friends; I love you and respect you. Thank you for inviting me to sing with you; it’s a true honor.”
And then the lovely surprise of the song sung with the Mariachis!! Wonderful, I love this way of remembering the traditions of other cultures.
Between love, faith, and the emotional return of Il Volo to Mexico.
Upon their return to the National Auditorium, the group spoke to us about music, chivalry, and their new artistic phase.
The Italian group Il Volo has visited Mexico approximately six times over the years, performing concerts there. With a solid and even innovative career, they met in 2009 on an Italian television program, when they were teenagers, aged 14 and 16. During their visit to Mexico City, they revealed details about their careers and current lives.
In their early youth, they made an unpopular decision for a young career: singing operatic pop. Their three voices, composed of a lyric tenor, a baritone, and a lyric spinto tenor, created operatic melodies and numerous sold-out shows around the world, including at the National Auditorium in Mexico City on March 3, 2026.
How do they feel loved in a relationship?
With love as his musical torch, Gianluca Ginoble confessed that feeling heard is how he experiences love within a relationship.
I believe the key to a good relationship is to listen more than to speak, and to say only the right things. Feeling heard and understood is probably what makes me feel most loved.
Gianluca Ginoble
For his part, Ignazio Boschetto, when asked what the key is to being a gentleman, said that he tries to be one in his daily life.
It’s like I need to show affection, and yeah, that’s not something you can teach, you have to feel it a little.
Ignazio Boschetto
Nearly two decades of love songs
Seventeen years after first singing “O Sole Mio” as a group, Piero Barone explained that when Il Volo started, they were too young to decide which repertoire to perform. Over time, this dynamic has changed.
When we started, there were people telling us what to sing, because we were too young to understand what to sing.
Piero Barone
Today, he said, the group steps on stage fully aware of their artistic identity and the type of music they want to share with the audience. They know what the audience expects, which allows them to enjoy each concert with greater maturity and connection, without losing the emotion that has characterized them from the beginning.
Music and divinity.
Gianluca spoke of music as a spiritual awakening, arguing that since the beginning of humanity, we have needed music to connect with God. He explained that opera, by Italian composers like Puccini, was born with the purpose of going beyond simple entertainment.
He emphasized that, while popular music is also important, the repertoire performed by Il Volo, rooted in the Italian tradition, allows us to touch deeper chords and approach something absolute and transcendent.
The music we sing, the music born in Italy, allows us to come into contact with the highest part of ourselves, with the absolute, which is God.
Gianluca Ginoble
At this stage of their career, he assured, the group seeks to evolve artistically and personally, to go beyond the great classics with which they began and explore new and deeper compositions that reflect their maturity as performers and as individuals.
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Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca also had fun pronouncing difficult Spanish words!!
Il Volo triumphs in Mexico with guest Carlos Rivera
The Italian trio celebrates their career by singing with mariachis.
The celebrated Italian vocal trio Il Volo—composed of Gianluca Ginoble, Ignazio Boschetto, and Piero Barone—lit up the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City.
With this concert, the three artists inaugurated their new series of international performances, celebrating an important professional milestone.
“Good evening. How thrilling to see you again after three years. It’s an honor for us to return to Mexico. We’re celebrating seventeen years, and much of it is thanks to you,” the performers exclaimed from the stage, delighting the crowd with timeless classics like ‘O sole mio’ and ‘La donna è mobile’.
The event also provided unique moments thanks to the presence of Mexican singer-songwriter Carlos Rivera, who duetted with the trio on the song ‘Cuerpo sin alma’. After singing some traditional hits accompanied by local mariachis, the singers concluded the show with a moving rendition of the Alleluia, dedicated to the victims of conflict: “We want to dedicate it to those who live in parts of the world where unfortunately peace is lacking, so that the voice may reach all those who travel with God.”
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Mexican television TELEVISA ESPECTACULOS also talked about the Il Volo concert!!
Il Volo also received a gold record forGRANE AMDORE.
March 5 GUADALAJARA
The concert is in the Guadalajara Arena.
The TV channel KNTV MX posted this video with these beautiful words.
The Italian group Il Volo arrived at the Guadalajara Arena, where over 5,000 people were stunned by their powerful voices, charisma, and, why not, their good looks. The tenor trio returned to Guadalajara after a three-year absence and gave their all for their fans.
The Italian trio Il Volo arrived at the Arena Guadalajara to celebrate their 17-year career, treating the audience to an evening filled with emotion, talent, and extraordinary performances.
👌🏼 With their unmistakable style blending opera and pop, the concert brought together fans who loved every moment of this unique show, demonstrating why Il Volo continues to conquer stages around the world.
🎤 A musical celebration that will remain in the memory of Guadalajara ❤️
The article above, written by INFORMADOR.MX, is very interesting. I’ll translate it for you:
IL VOLO EXPERIENCES A GREAT LOVE IN GUADALAJARA
Between opera and Mexican classics, Il Volo enchants Guadalajara
The group returned to perform for the fourth time in Mexico and also celebrated their 17-year career.
The lights at the Guadalajara Arena dimmed shortly after 9 p.m., and the audience’s anticipation turned into an immediate standing ovation when three figures took the stage. Gianluca Ginoble, Piero Barone, and Ignazio Boschetto, members of the Italian trio Il Volo, returned to Guadalajara to reunite with their Mexican fans as part of their world tour, “Live in Concert! 2026,” an evening where operatic pop, opera, and popular classics coexisted for nearly two hours.
After a three-year absence from the country, the group returned to perform in Mexico for the fourth time, celebrating their 17-year career. Their artistic journey was reflected in a repertoire that combined iconic songs with intimate moments and references to Mexican musical culture.
The concert began around 9:20 PM, when the trio entered to applause and cheers from the audience. Dressed in elegant black suits and accompanied by an orchestra of approximately thirty musicians—including wind instruments, piano, and percussion—the singers opened the evening with “Grande Amore” and “Opera,” inaugurating a show that alternated solemn moments with moments of intimacy and humor.
Before continuing with their repertoire, the artists took the microphone to greet those in attendance and express their excitement at their return to Guadalajara.
“Good evening, Guadalajara. Mexico is very special to us. And especially this year, which we started a couple of days ago in Mexico City and now here in Guadalajara, we are celebrating our 17th anniversary together. Thank you so much for your support since the first day we started singing. Thank you for all the love you’ve shown us throughout this time. Tonight will be a celebration,” they said to the audience, who responded with a standing ovation.
The evening continued with “Granada,” the famous song by Mexican composer Agustín Lara, performed with such intensity that it created one of the first emotional moments of the evening. The excitement grew even further when the singers performed “Cielito Lindo,” sung by thousands of voices in the Guadalajara Arena.
During the concert, Il Volo explored the different styles that have marked their artistic career. They performed classics such as “O Sole Mio,” “La Donna E’ Mobile,” and “The Winner Takes It All,” alongside contemporary interpretations that demonstrated the trio’s vocal versatility.
Between songs, the singers shared anecdotes and reflections with the audience. At one point, they spoke about the importance of personal relationships and affection.
“It’s important to take care of ourselves. We want to remind the younger generations, especially, that the most precious thing a person can have is someone who truly loves them,” they commented briefly.
The atmosphere also left room for humor. Between jokes and pranks, the artists discussed the private life of Ignazio Boschetto, who recently became a father. The singer himself, laughing, commented that he didn’t necessarily recommend that experience, sparking laughter from the audience.
The concert featured individual performances by each member. During his solo set, Gianluca Ginoble paid tribute to Elvis Presley, whom he described as an irreplaceable figure in music history.
“His genius was too powerful to be tamed, too bright. Today, Elvis is no longer with us, but his powerful music remains, and we must be ready to welcome it,” he said before performing “Suspicious Minds.”
The energy intensified again with “La donna è mobile,” one of the recital’s most famous songs. This was followed by songs such as the main theme from Cinema Paradiso and “My Way,” popularized by Frank Sinatra.
One of the most moving moments occurred when the trio invited the audience to turn on their cell phone lights.
“We want to dedicate this next song to those who are not with us. Turn on your cell phone lights to join us,” they said before performing “Hallelujah,” creating an intimate atmosphere amidst thousands of lights.
They then performed “Miserere,” a song they explained marked the beginning of their musical genre. Shortly afterward, they invited singer Maura Nava, a Mexican composer living in Miami, on stage, with whom they performed “Constantemente mía,” adding a Latin touch to the show.
Arena Guadalajara posted this short reel with these words:
“Here’s another of Il Volo’s best moments, we continue to shock with the talent of Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca.❤️
The boys’ arrival at the Arena for concert rehearsals.
ASI SOY TV released this video of the beginning of the concert, accompanied by these words:
A night of powerful voices and emotion in Monterrey. The trio Il Volo returned to Arena Monterrey after three years to celebrate 17 years in the music industry with their fans. Among classics like “My Way,” “Hallelujah,” and “‘O Sole Mio,” there was also a moving tribute to Mexico with mariachis and songs like “Si Nos Dejan” and “El Triste.” The finale with “Il Mondo” brought a standing ovation, confirming that the connection between Monterrey and Il Volo is stronger than ever.👏✨
IL MONDO – O SOLE MIO – NESSUN DORMA
EL TRISTE
SE
Look at Piero, what a beautiful Mexican poncho he wears during the concert while singing the song SI NO DEJAN 🥰
IL VOLO + MARIACHI
MY WAY
HALLELUJAH (dedicated to all victims of war)
In short, these first dates of the world tour in Mexico were fantastic.
Great support from the audience, and lots of praise from the local press.
Piero, Gianluca, and Ignazio just had time to say a warm goodbye to their Mexican fans before heading straight to the next stop: Panama!
Unfortunately, fake news continues to rage in the world of Il Volo.
On February 23rd, the website NEWS.1 CHALLENGE published this post. The news is FALSE, and we don’t know if the website was the first to publish it or if it copied the news from another publication, believing it to be true.
Below is the link to the website, and immediately afterward I’ll transcribe what they published.
The Harmony of a Decade: Il Volo Secures a Landmark $10 Million Netflix Deal. ws
The Harmony of a Decade: Il Volo Secures a Landmark $10 Million Netflix Deal
The world of operatic pop is currently echoing with the resonance of a massive industry shift as the iconic Italian trio, Il Volo, officially signs a historic $10 million deal with Netflix.
This 7-episode limited series is poised to be more than just a musical retrospective; it is a high-stakes deep dive into the hearts and voices of Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble.
For a group that has spent nearly two decades defying the boundaries of genre, this partnership represents the ultimate validation of their influence on global music culture.
From the cobblestone streets of Italy to the bright lights of the world’s most prestigious stages, the series promises to capture the raw essence of the “Bel Canto” tradition reborn for a digital age.
The landmark $10 million partnership between Netflix and Il Volo marks a transformative moment for the classical crossover genre, signaling a new era where high-art vocals meet mainstream streaming dominance.
This unprecedented deal underscores the streaming giant’s commitment to diverse, high-quality cultural storytelling, recognizing that the trio’s appeal transcends borders and languages.
By investing such a significant sum into a 7-episode format, Netflix is betting on the enduring fascination with the “three voices” that have consistently sold out stadiums from Tokyo to New York.
The series is expected to utilize a cinematic lens to frame their career not just as a succession of concerts, but as a monumental movement that brought the sophistication of Italian opera into the living rooms of millions.
Chronicling the meteoric rise of three teenage boys from the competitive stage of Italian television to the pinnacle of global stardom, the series will explore the origins of a phenomenon that few saw coming.
When Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca first appeared on Ti lascio una canzone in 2009, they were individual soloists with immense potential, but the decision to unite them into a trio sparked a musical wildfire
The documentary will trace those early, formative years, highlighting the sheer vocal power that initially shocked judges and audiences alike.
It will navigate the transition from being “teenage sensations” to becoming seasoned professionals who had to carry the weight of a centuries-old musical heritage on their young shoulders, all while navigating the complexities of the modern music industry.
Il Volo has single-handedly bridged the gap between traditional Italian “Bel Canto” and contemporary pop, a feat that will be a central pillar of the documentary’s narrative arc.
The trio didn’t just sing old songs; they revitalized them, stripping away the perceived “stiffness” of classical music and replacing it with raw passion and sophisticated charm.
This series will delve into the technical mastery required to maintain such vocal excellence over thousands of performances.
It aims to explain how their “operatic pop” style became a universal language, proving that the human voice, when trained to its peak, possesses a power that needs no translation to stir the soul of a listener halfway across the globe.
Beyond the technical brilliance of their harmonies lies a profound story of brotherhood and the unique challenges of coming of age under the intense scrutiny of the international spotlight.
While the world sees three polished gentlemen in tailored suits, the Netflix series promises an intimate portrait of the men behind the tuxedos.
The narrative will explore the friction, the laughter, and the shared sacrifices that come with growing up in the public eye.
Maintaining a partnership for over fifteen years is a feat in itself, and the show will provide a rare look at how their bond evolved from colleagues to brothers, revealing the “relentless spirit” that kept them united through grueling world tours and the pressures of fame.
The inclusion of never-before-seen archival footage and deeply personal interviews promises to peel back the curtain on the private struggles and triumphs that have defined their artistic journey.
Fans who have followed Il Volo since their inception will finally gain access to the “unseen” moments—the backstage nerves, the quiet reflections in hotel rooms, and the rigorous rehearsals that precede every standing ovation.
This project isn’t merely a highlight reel; it is an honest reflection on the challenges of artistic growth.
By featuring exclusive commentary from the trio themselves, the series will allow the artists to reclaim their own narrative, offering a candid look at the heights of their success and the personal costs of a life lived on the road.
With a career defined by sold-out stadiums and a relentless dedication to vocal perfection, the trio has solidified their position as a towering force whose influence echoes across every continent.
The series will highlight their global footprint, from their historic performance at the ruins of Pompeii to their emotional tribute to Ennio Morricone.
It will document how they became ambassadors of Italian culture, carrying the torch of “Made in Italy” to the farthest reaches of the earth.
Their success isn’t just measured in album sales or Grammy nominations, but in the way they have inspired a younger generation to appreciate the timeless beauty of the human voice, proving that classical roots can indeed produce the most vibrant modern flowers.
As the world prepares for the premiere next year, this limited series stands as a definitive tribute to the enduring power of music and the three voices that taught a generation to dream
The anticipation surrounding this project is already reaching a fever pitch, with fans and critics alike eager to see how the “Il Volo” story will be immortalized on screen.
It is more than a documentary; it is a celebration of the human spirit’s ability to connect through melody.
When the series finally debuts, it will undoubtedly remind us why these three men remain at the forefront of the music world—as artists who didn’t just follow the trends, but instead chose to sing a timeless truth that continues to captivate millions.
I have to say this article is really well written, but the news about Il Volo’s deal with Netflix isFALSE.
A couple of days ago, when my dear friend Judith sent me this article, I was truly shocked to read it. The news had a vague sense of being fake, but the article was actually very good.
I then tried to send the article to the Il Volo staff to clarify the veracity of the news, and they responded that it wasENTIRELY FALSE!!!!
I also find it very strange that such a well-written and detailed article, with so many compliments to our guys, is the work of a fake news writer, and I’ve come to believe that whoever wrote it is a fan of Il Volo but stumbled uponFAKE NEWS.
Once again, I urge you: don’t listen to anyone claiming to be Gianluca, Ignazio, and Piero.
On Saturday, February 7th, an episode of the show C’è Posta Per Te aired on Canale 5, and among the various guests was Il Volo.
Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca have already participated in this format in past years, which is based on one person’s request to meet again or thank another.
The show is hosted by the talented Maria De Filippi.
I translate for you.
MARIA = This is the story of a gift, let’s start with the video.
IGNAZIO = What we’re experiencing is so beautiful that I’m almost afraid to wake up from this life that seems almost magical.
GIANLUCA = The goal is to show that we’re proud of what we’ve built but that we have so much to say. PIERO = Maestro Placido Domingo.
COLLABORATION WITH THE GREATEST ARTISTS IN MUSIC
DOMINGO = Thank you for having an incredible friendship.
PIERO = Thank you, Maestro.
Il Volo will be together for a long time, we hope forever, and full steam ahead.
MARIA = Il Volo! (Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca enter the studio, kisses and hugs)
PIERO= Hi
IGNAZIO= Hi, good evening. How are you?
MARIA= Good, thanks. Go ahead.
GIANLUCA= Good evening.
PIERO= Thank you, thank you.
IGNAZIO= Thank you so much.
You have a crowd more enthusiastic than an 80,000-capacity stadium.
GIANLUCA= Incredible!
IGNAZIO= The same volume, exactly the same!
MARIA= They’re absolutely spontaneous.
IGNAZIO= Thank you.
PIERO= Thank you, thank you.
MARIA = Absolutely.
Let’s let Annamaria in. (The woman who sent the letter enters, kisses and hugs with Gianluca, Ignazio, and Piero)
When I met Annamaria, she said to me:
“I want to come to C’è Posta Per Te for my husband Giuseppe.” Then, she said to me: “We’ve been married for many, many years, and the worst thing that can happen to a mother and father has happened to us.”
In four months, they lost their daughter Sara, who was only twenty years old. She said to me: “Now Sara is at home in a little heart-shaped urn, with all her things, with all our cats, and every morning we give her lilac tulips because it’s right that a flower should be with flowers.”
She told me: “When Sara left, I feared my marriage would fall apart, because it’s a huge pain for me and for him. When Sara was born, he told me he had two queens: one was me and the other was Sara.”
Since Sara’s passing, her husband has put aside all his pain and has focused solely on her. She told me that all he does is look at her to see if she’s suffering. He has to go to work but doesn’t want to go for fear of leaving her alone. He’s always there to welcome her and listen to her. At this point, she decides to come here to tell him that she’s ready to embrace his pain, too, and that he needs to stop thinking only of her, but that she needs to be the one to think of him, too. She told me she wants them to cry together and talk about Sara. She wants him to vent to her, because she’s ready to listen. She said:
“I’m here. I know I can be strong right now. I know he’s hurting, but he’s keeping everything to himself and not telling me.”
I know, guys, it’s not easy. I understand, it wasn’t easy for me either, and I’m older (Maria lost her husband a few years ago).
Let’s see the mail being delivered.
(At this point, a video starts of a postman delivering the show invitation to Annamaria’s husband, and we discover that they live in Syracuse, Sicily.)
POSTMAN = Hi Maria, I’m in Syracuse today and I have to deliver your invitation to Giuseppe. I’m off!
Good evening, nice to meet you. I’m Andrea from C’è Posta Per Te and I’m looking for Giuseppe. Are you?
GIUSEPPE = Yes.
POSTMAN = Maria De Filippi sent me this. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the show.
GIUSEPPE = Sure.
POSTMAN = So, I have an invitation for you (at this point he asks a few questions to be sure of the person). I know you were born in December.
GIUSEPPE = Yes.
POSTMAN = I know you attended the IPSIA Institute in Syracuse.
GIUSEPPE = Yes.
POSTMAN = Perfect, then I’m very happy to deliver you the official invitation from C’è Posta Per Te. Here it is, it’s from Mrs. Maria De Filippi, and before we say goodbye, we always say one thing:
GIUSEPPE = C’è Posta Per Te.
(The delivery is finished, he returns to the studio)
MARIA= Guys, I’ll have you stand over there. (She asks Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca to stand near the large envelope so they won’t be seen by the camera.)
Here we are. (turning to Annamaria)
Andrea (the postman who is now in the studio)
POSTMAN= Yes, Maria.
MARIA= Has Giuseppe accepted the invitation?
POSTMAN= Giuseppe has accepted the invitation and is here with us. Please. (Giuseppe enters)
MARIA= Hi, I’m Maria, please come in. So, in a little while, we’ll see who sent it to you, and you tell me if you want to listen.
GIUSEPPE = Yes.
MARIA = Let’s open the envelope. (At that moment, he sees the sender, who is Annamaria.)
Did you know? Did you understand? Can I get her to talk?
GIUSEPPE = Sure.
MARIA = You’re welcome, Annamaria.
ANNAMARIA = Hello my love. Unfortunately, life with us has been cruel, unfair. You always said you had two queens, but now you have only one queen left. But I want to thank you for everything you do for me, for all the care you give, for the attention you give. You’re a model husband, wonderful.
I’m here to tell you that I want to comfort you now. I want to give you all the comfort you deserve so that one day you can see that smile that defined you when Sara was here again. She would want that.
(Two children enter, positioning the hull of a boat)
(Now Maria will read a long letter with Annamaria’s words)
MARIA = Giuseppe, my love, the love I have for you is as immense as the sea we’ve loved all our lives. It has the same force as the waves that beat against the boat when we went out on sunny days, the same depth of the waters when we moved away from the coast, the same peace of the sunsets that you and I silently admired, huddled together on our sun loungers. The sea has been our heart’s place; in the blue we confided in each other, we laughed and daydreamed; in the blue we watched our little girl play and grow, and we felt happy and lucky.
Maybe that’s why when I think of our love, I see water, the water that today holds the most beautiful memories of our lives. The spark of our love, however, was struck far from the sea, one August afternoon back in 1992, when you came into my house with the excuse of accompanying my cousin. I was 15 and you were 17, and from that afternoon onward, you stopped by every day, looking at me and smiling with those shy, clean green eyes, and even though I pretended nothing was happening, something stirred inside me.
I remember when you came to pick me up from the Quintiliano Teacher Training Institute. I saw you arrive on your Cagiva Mito (a motorcycle), and my heart beat faster than the engine. “Jump on,” you’d say, laughing, and even though I was scared, I trusted you.
That trust, Giuseppe, never abandoned me, because you courted me like a boy from another time , without haste, with respect and so much sweetness. My parents weren’t really into getting engaged because of my young age until you came to dinner one night. That evening, you barely breathed, but you managed to win everyone over. From there, 10 years of engagement followed: the trips, the laughter, the silly jealousies, the nights spent talking, the mornings when you picked me up from school even in the rain. Then one fine day, without mincing words, I said to you: “Giuseppe, silver engagement rings don’t exist. Do we want to get married or not?” And the next day, you had already found the wedding reception hall. On June 7, 2003, you waited for me at the altar with teary eyes. “You’re beautiful,” you said, and shortly thereafter, life gave us the most beautiful gift: Sara, our little girl, our greatest joy, we became three.
(a little girl carrying a heart enters the studio)
Sara was born on August 31st via emergency cesarean section because she was in such a hurry to be born. You held her before me, and as soon as you touched her little hands, you gave her her first smile. I’d never seen you so excited, and just thinking about it still makes me emotional. Once we got home, you bent over backwards to help me. You bathed her, prepared her food, and cuddled her to sleep. And when Sara struggled to sleep, you patiently loaded her into the car, drove around the block, and she collapsed within minutes. The first word our daughter uttered was, in fact, “Daddy,” and when you heard it with your own ears, you dropped your work bag on the floor in shock and ran to shower her with kisses.
Even the kindergarten teachers adored you so much that you were hired as the class Santa Claus, and you, in your red suit, were even more excited than the kids. We took so many camper trips with our Saretta. Oh my, so many photos, so many laughs, do you remember? She’d sit in the front next to you, waving at everyone at the traffic lights, and you’d laugh and always repeat: “Have you seen how beautiful she is?” You were her first teacher in so many ways: you taught her to ride a bike without training wheels, she learned to swim without armbands with you, and you taught her to trust life. The three of us traveled halfway across Italy, belting out every song we could. Then came adolescence, high school, her dream of one day becoming a voice actress, solo trips around Europe, and you had the courage to let her do it.
You know, I trembled every time she left, but you always said: “Our daughter has a good head on her shoulders, let’s let her go,” and you were right, my love, because Sara was smart and it was right to trust her. Our life was a calm, colorful sea, and everything revolved around our little mermaid. None of us could have imagined that the worst of hurricanes was brewing on the horizon.
(Children enter the office carrying high waves.)
The world truly collapsed on us: that pain tormenting Sara’s chest, a cyst that wasn’t a cyst, the CT scan at the hospital, the rush to Milan, her sleeping in our bed like a baby, the two of us without a wink of sleep, and then those words from the doctors that no parent should hear.
Every time the doctor called us, you always tried to protect me and faced everything alone. Then I’d find you at night, crying in secret so as not to scare me and the “picciridda” (a Sicilian dialect word meaning “the little one”). But Sara was too smart. One day she looked at us and said, “I’m not stupid, why don’t you tell me exactly how I am?” And you collapsed on top of her, moved and tender, and said, “You’ll see, you’ll see, we’ll make it.” There wasn’t a minute that you didn’t dedicate to her. You wet her lips with water, you fixed her hair, you held her close as if you wanted to protect her from everything. When the doctors told her, “You have a wonderful father,” she smiled proudly: “I know, my dad is special and I love him so much.” But it wasn’t enough to save her. On February 2, 2025, our world of hers shattered and we sank into the blackest abyss.
A pain that has no name, no words to describe a parent who loses their daughter, but there’s something I feel today, a year later, that motivates this letter. I’m certain that Sara would like to live on through us, Giuseppe, and we must find strength and rise again for her.
(A moon descends from the top of the studio.)
Since that terrible day, you’ve put yourself aside, you’ve completely lost yourself, you’ve built a wall around your pain, and you’ve certainly done it to protect me. You ask me how I’m doing 100 times a day, you check if I’m eating, sleeping, breathing, you shower me with cuddles. To avoid leaving me too alone, some afternoons you take me with you to your business meetings. If we go out for pizza, you always make sure to sit next to me, as if you were afraid of losing contact with my hand, which you hold tightly whenever you can. You watch me talk to people, but you don’t speak anymore. You have a strong body and it seems like you can handle everything, but your soul has lost its light and I’m afraid because I see how your eyes sink when you think, I know you feel guilty for something that doesn’t depend on you or anyone else, because fate doesn’t ask permission when it acts and you, my love, did everything for your daughter, you took her to the doctors, you ran, you insisted, you suffered, you prayed, you loved as the best father knows how.
No one in the world could have done more than you. It’s time for you to stop saying, “It’s my fault,” because it’s not true, and above all, this terrible thought can’t bring our daughter back. If we’re here, it’s because I don’t want you to live just to protect me. I want to be the one to protect you. I want to help you feel better. I want you to vent to me without worrying about worrying me, because you’re a wonderful man, and above all, because Sara wouldn’t want to see you like this.
(In the studio, a sail descends from above for the boat and seagulls fly overhead.)
Giuseppe, we will never be the same again. We won’t be three anymore, but we won’t be two either, because Sara is always with us every day and in every gesture. She’s in the photo in the kitchen, in the lilac tulips you bring me on Sundays, in the tattoo we bear on our skin. I long with all my heart to see you slowly breathe again, talk again, maybe even smile one day, because Sara loved that smile and wants it back, and if you trust me, we’ll find it again together. You are the man who has loved me for 33 years, without ever letting me go without anything. You are the best father a daughter could wish for. You are all that remains of our wonderful family with our Sara walking beside us and a “great love,” Giuseppe, just like that song you loved so much and that the three of us sang together while it was on the radio.
But I have a little secret for you that’s about to be revealed: the radio stayed at home, but someone is about to come down from that staircase in front of you who I’m sure will give you the first of those smiles you deserve.
(The song “Capolavoro” begins, and Gianluca, Ignazio, and Piero come down the stairs and hug Giuseppe.)
IGNAZIO = Giuseppe, who for us in Sicily is Peppino (Sicilian way of calling Giuseppe).
PIERO = Hello Giuseppe.
GIUSEPPE = Pleased to meet you. (Everyone sits on the sofa.)
IGNAZIO = I have to tell you that you have an amazing wife, you have a great wife, and let’s just say I thought several times back there whether to talk about it or not because I recently became a father. My son is now four and a half months old, and it’s really difficult. It’s something that can’t be explained, the love for children. I can only tell you that you two are superheroes, truly.
It would be completely obvious to say that Sara is always with you, because you know it. I can only tell you, as far as I’m concerned, that you always have to start from your strengths when you’re in difficulty, and I very humbly believe that your strength today is having someone like that by your side (applause) with whom you can share and experience all the moments that come your way, even if it’s difficult, I know. (applause) It’s important to have someone like that by your side, a wife who understands you, a wife who loves you, a wife who supports you, because the man is always seen as the one who has to take care of the woman, and it’s difficult to let the woman take care of you. I see this a lot with my wife. I was lucky enough to find someone who makes me feel safe, and letting her take care of me was perhaps one of the most beautiful things I’ve learned in my life, and I’m only thirty. (applause)
PIERO = Shall I go?
GIANLUCA = Do you want to say something?
PIERO = It’s also difficult to say something because in these cases I believe that pain is an extremely personal thing, so we can’t come here and tell you how to deal with it and in what way, but we respect the way you deal with your pain.
Annamaria is your strong point, but I heard in her letter that she spoke so much about your smile. She wants to see you smile again without feeling guilty, because you’ve already proven yourself to be a great person. Strengthen your smile, your smile for your wife. (applause) We know, some people spend sixty years working through such a difficult loss, but as Ignazio said, now try to find the clarity to face the future, and it’s nice to lean on memories too. Now what remains is the memory, and I’m pleased that we are present in your memories because we know you listened to our song “Grande Amore” together, and this makes us honored to be present in your memories together with your daughter. (applause)
GIANLUCA = If there’s one thing that’s moved me since the first time we met you, it’s the light you carry within you. You have a kindness of spirit that moves me and is palpable, even though it’s the first time we’ve seen each other. It’s clear that pain may be difficult to overcome, but in life we must learn to bear it, to face it, because this is the mission we are all called to, because unfortunately, life is unpredictable.
Even if we haven’t met her, we, all the people here, Maria, Sara will also be with us, because we will carry her through your eyes, through the light that Sara transmits to you because she is within you every day of your life, and we promise you that we too, all of us, will carry her with us because we have known her through your eyes. (applause)
IGNAZIO = I feel like saying just one thing. Maria and I have talked about it often. In 2021, I lost my father, and I learned that there is a big difference between ABSENCE and LACK. Today, we can feel the absence of those who are no longer physically by our side, but not the loss, because as Piero said, we have memories, we have moments together, and some moments that only we have in our hearts, and if we close our eyes, we know what we are experiencing. Loss isn’t a bad thing sometimes, when these things happen, because you have your memories inside. (applause)
PIERO = But really, get rid of the guilt, try to get rid of it, that’s the only comfort I can tell you and give you, so rely on your smile, you’re a beautiful person, Giuseppe, and you too, Annamaria. (applause)
IGNAZIO = And then, to help you give a smile…can we? (He says, turning to Maria)….
PIERO = In the dressing room, we looked at who has the biggest pockets…
IGNAZIO =… not the wallet, Piero has the biggest one (laughter)…
PIERO = …..so Giuseppe, we know you sang our song together, we sang it in July if I’m not mistaken, right, Annamaria?
IGNAZIO = Annamaria, when is that?
ANNAMARIA = Yes, in July.
PIERO = We’ll be singing in Syracuse in July, and we want to have you at our concert. Here are the two passes for our concert, one for you and one for Annamaria (applause), but you have to make me a promise. I know you sang together, but I don’t know your vocal grade. Don’t sing at the concert, listen to the songs…
GIANLUCA = Maybe he’s better than you!!!
IGNAZIO = (he starts singing Grande Amore a cappella, Giuseppe follows him but he’s out of tune)…ok, fine, just listen!! (applause and laughter)
PIERO = Here, Giuseppe.
IGNAZIO = It’ll be a pleasure to have you with us, but then we have another…
PIERO = Wait, let’s be clear, if you’d prefer to come to our concert in another city, you can, it doesn’t have to be just the one in Syracuse.
GIANLUCA = Annamaria, we heard you’re afraid of flying, not of us (pun intended), in other words, of flying. If you change your mind, we’ll invite you wherever you like because we’ll be happy to have you. (applause)
IGNAZIO = They told us you’re afraid of flying, and then you like us, which is very strange (Il Volo = The Flight).
Since we think a moment together is essential, we’ve decided to give you a week-long vacation wherever you want. You don’t have to fly, you don’t have to worry, with your feet on the ground, you decide (he takes an envelope with the coupon). This is the trip, we want to offer you a trip, you and your wife, you have fun, you decide the place, where, when, why, be careful (all recommendations), there’s no flight, don’t worry, the spa… (laughter, applause)
MARIA = Annamaria, do you want to add anything?
ANNAMARIA = Yes. (to her husband) You have to promise me that from now on you’ll think more about yourself, that in the morning, as soon as you wake up, instead of asking me how I’m doing, think about how you’re doing. I will always be by your side, I will always be there, and we will always be together. We will never leave each other, because that’s exactly what Sara would have wanted, and from this evening on, we will face life even more united. I love you. (applause)
MARIA = (to Giuseppe) You have to answer her.
PIERO = Giuseppe, you have to answer, that really moved us all!
It’ll be difficult…
MARIA = He’ll do it whenever he wants…ok, let’s take the envelope off! (The envelope-wall is removed and now everyone can see each other. Kisses and hugs)
IGNAZIO = Wait, wait, it’s a ritual now, like every year, a hug all together!!! (applause)
MARIA = How sweet!!
ANNAMARIA = Thanks guys!!
Maria, I wanted to say something, if I may.
MARIA = Say it yourself
ANNAMARIA = I’d like to thank the National Cancer Institute, Pediatrics Department, in Milan (a center of excellence for these diseases) from the first to the last day. They pampered us, not just Sara, but us too: doctors, nurses, everyone! (applause)
MARIA = Good! (She kisses and hugs everyone, lastly Ignazio, to whom she says:) Hi Dad!
IGNAZIO = Hi Maria. As always, we want to thank you.
MARIA = Thank you.
IGNAZIO = Because, as always, you’re a crazy person because they see you through a camera, we see you outside.
MARIA = Thank you so much, thank you everyone.
IGNAZIO = Bye!
MARIA = Il Volo!!!
As always, our guys found the right words to address such a sad and moving story.
It’s hard to be appropriate, but once again, Il Volo showed us their humanity and understanding.
The Italian trio Il Volo arrived at the Arena Guadalajara to celebrate their 17-year career, treating the audience to an evening filled with emotion, talent, and extraordinary performances.
