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.
As we previously announced, the Bologna-based daily newspaper IL RESTO DEL CARLINO celebrated its 140th anniversary and, to mark the occasion, organized events involving the newspaper and prominent figures. Today, Il Volo is ready to delve into the daily life of an important newspaper.
Editors for a day, Il Volo leads Qn-Carlino: “We’re looking to the younger generation.”
Gianluca Ginoble, Ignazio Boschetto, and Piero Barone for Il Carlino’s 140th anniversary. A journey through the news factory, from the paper reels to the editorial office.
(In the photo, Il Volo with the gift dedicated to Barbara Vitali. In the photo, Barbara and the writing “THANK YOU BARBARA”.)
Bologna, January 21, 2026 –
The three talents of Il Volo radiated genuine curiosity and a desire to learn and understand the world of print. Gianluca Ginoble, Ignazio Boschetto, and Piero Barone were guests at the Qn-Il Resto del Carlino headquarters yesterday, taking on the unique role of editors for a day. After their first steps through the building’s corridors, where reproductions of the newspaper’s front pages hang on the walls, the three artists took part in the morning editorial meeting.
“The true heritage we can nurture with passion and dedication, the true legacy we can leave for future generations, is to protect and safeguard Made in Italy: this term encompasses so much.Bel canto, in our case, but also fashion and everything that is most grand, deeply rooted, and noble in Italy and our history. This is what matters to us: protecting the authenticity of the country we bring around the world.”
“We,”the three added, “want to bring Italian bel canto to the stages where we perform, wherever we are. Because it’s an art form that must be passed down and protected. And this concept doesn’t just apply to music. For example, there’s been a lot of talk in the newspapers these days about the death of an icon of Italian fashion, Valentino Garavani (The famous designer Valentino died a few days ago). Well, we think it could be interesting to see how Valentino’s fashion, which brought Italy to the runways of every continent, has influenced trends. Therefore, how much Made in Italy has made its way, but also how much it has brought to Italy itself in terms of economic growth. These are the true legacies that would be interesting to talk about. Not about how much money someone has left as a legacy to who knows who, but how much that Italian personality has influenced and set an example, or even shaped the history, in part, of our beautiful country.”
Barone, echoed by Boschetto and Ginoble, then focused on the younger generations. “We’re a little afraid of misinformation,” they said. “We’d really like to see more and more young people interested in the news, in what’s happening, in current events. How rare is it to see young people flipping through a newspaper? It would be wonderful to be able to study the method, the ‘recipe’, for getting information to young people, to ensure they’re passionate about this world of information. Attending an editorial meeting shows us a lot: everyone has their say, everyone listens, and then, together, we work, as a true team, to find the best solution and create, every day, a good editorial product. One goal: to give the reader the truth.”
The morning continued with a vodcast in which Valerio Baroncini, deputy editor of Il Carlino, read fan questions to the three stars, and a tour of the printing presses. Il Volo received a gift of the commemorative book for Il Carlino’s 140th anniversary and two plates commemorating two key moments in their lives and careers: their victory at Sanremo in 2015 and the page dedicated to their longtime collaborator, Barbara Vitali, who died in an accident in July 2024 and is never forgotten.
IL RESTO DEL CARLINOwrites again:
Gianluca Ginoble, Ignazio Boschetto, and Piero Barone shed their global star personas to immerse themselves in the heart of our editorial office, amidst the presses and journalists’ meetings.
With genuine curiosity, the three artists from Il Volo launched a message of love for our country’s roots: “The true heritage to be protected and safeguarded is Made in Italy,” they explained, emphasizing how Italian excellence—from bel canto to the fashion of icons like Valentino Garavani—is the most noble and authentic image they carry around the world.
But the three “editors” also looked beyond the stage, focusing with concern on the new generations and the risk of misinformation.
“It would be wonderful to find the recipe to get young people passionate about current events and reading newspapers,” they commented, admiring the editorial team’s teamwork aimed at always offering readers the truth.
The day ended with a deeply emotional moment: the presentation of two commemorative plaques to celebrate the victory at Sanremo 2015 and to remember the unforgettable collaborator Barbara Vitali.
This beautiful photo taken in the corridors of the newspaper, the masthead announces the death of Giuseppe Verdi which occurred on January 27, 1901.
PIERO = Bologna is a city that allows you to be yourself. It has a unique way of welcoming people who weren’t born in Bologna. For me, it’s not a city I came to live in; I feel it’s my city.
IL VOLO IS DIRECTOR FOR A DAY
Today, the Carlino editorial staff hosted Gianluca Piero and Ignazio from Il Volo, who enjoyed the experience of being directors for a day.
They were warmly welcomed by the newspaper, which honored them with special gifts to celebrate this unprecedented collaboration between music and information.
The highlight was their participation in the editorial meeting: the three artists got to know the craft.
Talking with journalists, they shared opinions and ideas on news selection: a total immersion in the life of the newspaper.
QUESTION = What newspaper would you like? What would you like to read?
PIERO = To understand the importance of reading a newspaper. I believe there’s misinformation today, many people, especially young people, aren’t used to reading the newspaper. In fact, it’s a novelty to see a young person reading the newspaper. Attending this meeting today is like watching a team effort, a soccer team, a group. It’s important to see how each of you shares and listens to the words of others.
IGNAZIO = What’s worrying is that today we only hear news of divisions between human, political, and marital relationships.
What are we leaving to the next generation? The real question I ask myself when speaking about Italy is: will the authenticity of Italy be lost with the next generations? Will Bel Canto, in this case, be lost? Will Italian fashion be lost? Will a certain “healthy” politics be lost? I worry about seeing my son’s life reshaped when I’m gone or when he has to fend for himself. What will happen?
GIANLUCA = I’m also fascinated by the profession of journalism because, in reality, the search for truth is a lifelong mission. You also bring your sensitivity into play, the way you see the world based on the culture and society in which we grew up, in a country like Italy, which is extremely Catholic, where sometimes, to truly search for the truth, you have to free yourself from these superstructures, and it’s a job that perhaps takes a lifetime.
What I try to do is search for the truth, as perhaps IL RESTO DEL CARLINO can do, trying to be neutral, but offering an influence that aims to foster dialogue.
I’d say, as always, it was a beautiful, productive, and unique day for Piero, Gianluca, and Ignazio, who were able to immerse themselves in the evolution of an article, from its inception to publication.
As always, our guys were very attentive to everything that’s happening, and they offered very knowledgeable opinions.
It was a lovely visit, during which they also read the questions submitted by fans, but we don’t know anything about them yet, and we hope to hear about them soon.
A beautiful opening ceremony recently took place in L’Aquila (the capital of Abruzzo) marking the year 2026 in which L’Aquila was named “Italian Capital of Culture.”
The opening ceremony was attended by our President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, and all the mayors of the province of L’Aquila.
Gianluca Ginoble, a true Abruzzese, contributed to the event by singing the beautiful and sad Abruzzese song “AMARA TERRA MIA” on stage. During his performance, a beautiful video of the Abruzzo region was shown.
Here’s the entire moment of Gianluca’s speech. (translation captions can be activated)
Beautiful lyrics in this sad but truthful song.
The landscapes that pass by in the video are stunning, and what can I say about Gianluca’s voice and emotion?
Fantastic! He sang a single verse in the Abruzzese dialect. Bravo, Gianluca!
Did you notice Maestro Leonardo De Amicis, who conducted the orchestra? He’s also from Abruzzo and a longtime friend.
Gianluca’s speech at the end of the song was absolutely sweet, extending greetings to President Mattarella, also on behalf of his companions, Ignazio and Piero.
Gianluca also wrote a beautiful article for the newspaper IL CENTRO that I’m translating for you.
Gianluca Ginoble: “L’Aquila, the city that accepts the responsibility of flying.”
The singer writes for Il Centro: “Destiny in the name has never abdicated the upward striving.” Quotes from Jung, Battiato, and San Giovanni: “This is a land to be proud of.”
GIANLUCA GINOBLE
Myths are not a thing of the past. They still influence human affairs, dramatize our internal struggles, disrupt our character, and inhabit our lives even when we’re unaware of it. Carl Gustav Jung said that “the gods have not disappeared, they have transformed into illnesses”: into inner forces, tensions, desires, and ambitions that we simply cannot control or eliminate. Myths, in fact, represent archetypal ways of existence: symbolic forces from which we can neither escape nor fully recover. In cultures founded on myth, the gods were inhuman and eternal: the Immortals, as the Greeks called them. Forces that, precisely because they were eternal, made certain traits of the human soul indelible. If there is a mythical figure capable of embodying the tension of ambition, of impetus, of the desire to rise, it is the Eagle. The Eagle carries with it a name and a symbolic destiny. Ancient texts describe it as an animal with a hot, dry temperament and a voracious appetite, always associated with sacred contexts. It’s no coincidence that John, the most spiritual of the evangelists, is traditionally represented by an eagle: a creature that flies higher than all others, that gazes far ahead, that approaches the light without fear. The eagle is the bearer of the spirit in its highest form. It is ambition at its fullest extent: an instant bathed in the shining light and immediately ready to be reborn, to take flight again with the future still ahead. Even in Egyptian hieroglyphics, the letter A is represented by an eagle. Not a simple coincidence, but a sign. This is the symbolic power of a city that bears such a meaningful name.
This symbolism is almost inevitably accompanied by the thought of Franco Battiato (Italian singer), for whom the eagle has never been merely an image, but a key to access. Eagles, in his work, certainly recall a hit song, but above all a symbolic constellation deeply dear to him: that of birds, of the play of wingspans, of secrets revealed only to those who accept the risk of heights. Eagles are destined for unpredictable flights, sudden ascents, imperceptible trajectories that trace a sort of existential geometry. They are called to change their perspective on the world, to use his words. Walking, for an eagle, is an unnatural gesture: its vocation is flight, approaching the sky to intuit its secrets. L’Aquila is the city that rises, that observes from above, that accepts the responsibility of flight. A city that knows the risk of getting too close to the sun, of getting burned, but that never abandons its striving for the sky. Like the eagle, precisely. And Abruzzo is a strong and gentle land, reflecting this same archetype, as Flaiano described it: a harsh, severe, silent land. A region that seeks not to please, but to remain true to itself.
A simple, archaic place, unprone to rhetoric, where the landscape and its people share the same sobriety. A land that has given voice, art, thought, and resistance. A land to be proud of. Because L’Aquila is a city that has learned to rise again, to rebuild itself, to take flight again, always with wings stretched toward the sky. Despite its wounds, despite its difficulties, it has proven itself to be a people capable of strength and vision. Just like its founding myth: the eagle. Always in flight. Always alive. Always with its head held high.
And this is the beautiful moment when Gianluca shakes hands with the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella!
This article about the event published by IMUSICFUN is also very nice.
Gianluca Ginoble enchants L’Aquila: a solemn and distinctive inauguration for the Italian Capital of Culture 2026.
L’Aquila inaugurates 2026 as the Italian Capital of Culture in the presence of President Mattarella; emotion and identity with Gianluca Ginoble and “Amara Terra Mia”
L’Aquila officially opened its year as Italian Capital of Culture 2026 with an intense, solemn ceremony deeply rooted in the region. On Saturday, January 17, at the Auditorium of the Guardia di Finanza, the Abruzzo city began a journey that looks to the future, starting from memory. The ceremony was attended by President Sergio Mattarella, Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, Mayor Pierluigi Biondi, and President of the Abruzzo Region Marco Marsilio.
But more than a celebration, the event felt like a foundational act, a choral narrative intertwining music, words, and images. And among the most moving moments of the morning, Gianluca Ginoble, the singer of Il Volo, undoubtedly stood out, giving the audience a powerful and meaningful reading of “Amara Terra Mia.”
Gianluca Ginoble and “Amara Terra Mia”: The Voice of Emigration and Roots
Conducted by Maestro Leonardo De Amicis, Gianluca Ginoble—a native of Roseto degli Abruzzi—brought to the stage a song that symbolizes Abruzzo’s identity. “Amara terra mia” (Bitter Land of My Love) is more than just a song: it’s a chant of emigration, toil, and nostalgia, born in the early 1900s as a work song for olive pickers in the Maiella area.
Also known as “Nebbia alla valle” (Nebbia in the Valley), “Addije, addije amore” (Addije, Addije Amore), or “Casca l’oliva” (Let the Olive Fall), the song has been passed down through various choral harmonizations and made famous thanks to Giovanna Marini’s work in the 1960s. Ginoble’s interpretation captured the full emotional power of this oral heritage, transforming it into a moment of great civic and musical intensity.
It is no coincidence that the artist wanted to symbolically remember all his “fraternal colleagues”, underlining the collective value of music and shared memory.
Well, Gianluca, we’re here to congratulate you once again.
The event dedicated to your hometown was certainly welcomed with affection and enthusiasm by you, you who always sing the praises of your homeland.
You are a sensitive man who never forgets where he comes from.
We admire you greatly for all this and also for remembering your friends and brothers Ignazio and Piero in your greetings!!
During this period of no concerts, I promised you translations of articles or interviews worthy of translation.
I admit, I missed this wonderful interview, but here I am again to share it with you. It was published in November 2025 in a music magazine: MUSICA INTORNO by Gino Morabito.
Nine studio albums and four live recordings, totaling twenty million copies sold, a Sanremo Festival win in 2015 with “Grande amore,” and a third-place finish at the Eurovision Song Contest. Amid applause and standing ovations, Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble share their story after sixteen years of success. An extraordinary story of talent, passion, and friendship for three young men who took… Il Volo.
Directly from the stage of the Tim Music Awards, the announcement of the return of “Live nei palasport 2026” (produced by Friends & Partners) for five new dates in Italy’s leading arenas. The trio will kick off on December 7, 2026, at the Unipol Forum in Milan and continue on December 12 at the Nelson Mandela Forum in Florence, on December 17 at the Palazzo dello Sport in Rome, on December 19 at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, and will conclude the tour on December 20 at the Unipol Arena in Bologna.
Before these dates, their incredible voices will be the protagonists of “Live in Concert,” a tour that, until December 2025, will touch the main European capitals and Latin America, confirming their status as ambassadors of Italian music around the world.
Ambassadors of bel canto, not with presumption but with great pride.
“The pride of touring our musical and, above all, cultural heritage, to recount the magnificence of those places that are envied around the world.”
As Jim Morrison said, “Don’t settle for the horizon, seek infinity.”
“The goal is to reach an ever-wider audience, continuing to build a special bond with our fans. We can’t wait to get on stage and experience more unique and exciting emotions with them.”
The setlist presents a perfect blend of tradition and innovation that highlights the individual personalities of the three artists. There are also songs from their first album of original songs, “Ad Astra,” including the Sanremo song “Capolavoro,” and their latest single, “Tra le onde.” But also many other hits from their fan-favorite repertoire.
“There’s truly something for everyone! We will embrace our friends from across the border, putting into each performance the same energy and passion that has accompanied us in every concert.”
On stage, the celebration of sixteen years of their career together. A milestone that fills us with pride and gratitude and that, in fact, confirms the deep bond between three child prodigies who, as they grew up, became that magnificent star lighting up the international firmament. In the media-driven age of individualism, it might sound anachronistic, but unity is strength.
“We’ve known each other since we were children, and although each of us has a different personality, there’s a special bond that unites us. This bond allows us to face any challenge together, to support each other in difficult times, and to celebrate successes as a true family. Each concert thus becomes an opportunity to renew our commitment to music and to thank those who have passionately supported us over the years. This tour is also an opportunity to share with the audience everything we’ve learned and experienced. And we don’t stop there.”
There are stories that intertwine, hearts that beat as one, and voices that rise above expectations. Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca’s friendship has evolved over time.
“We’ve grown together. Every concert, every trip, every success, and every challenge has brought us closer together. Being part of this project means sharing every moment, from backstage to the audience’s ovations. It’s not just work; it’s a true family. Our music speaks of us, our experiences, our hopes. It’s our way of connecting with people.” Someone up there loves them.
“We see a kind of cosmic determinism in it; for us, what was meant to happen happened. At that moment in history, we were meant to meet, someone had to bring us together, as if there were a movement in the universe governing events. It’s beautiful to think that’s how it happened.”
The message is clear: music is a powerful instrument of connection and transformation, capable of making the most intimate chords of our being vibrate. And, as they continue to write their story, the world eagerly awaits the next notes of this Oscar-winning trio, ready to soar once again toward infinity.
Thanks for this wonderful interview, Gino Morabito, and we hope you’ll write more for Il Volo soon!
And now I offer you some reactions to our guys’ songs, performed by Coffee & Reactions!!
And finally, listen to this beautiful musical version of GRANDE AMORE played by Jodok Cello.
Kind words for our beloved guys who always manage to amaze us with their fantastic performances.
The Christmas holidays are behind us, and Ignazio is taking advantage of the time to spend with Michelle and Gabriele.
Gianluca had a wonderful vacation in Lapland!
Nothing has leaked about Piero but he is certainly spending wonderful moments in his Naro.
I was about to finish this post when some fresh news arrived.
The Italian newspaper IL RESTO DEL CARLINO celebrates its 140th anniversary this year and has therefore promoted some wonderful initiatives, including one involving Il Volo.
Il Volo, three Carlino directors for a day: leave your questions for the artists here.
Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble will be guests of the editorial team. The event will be held on January 20th at the newspaper’s headquarters in Bologna. Readers can submit questions for the trio; here are the instructions.
Bologna, January 14, 2026– Three great voices. One group. A worldwide success, and now a new commitment to our newspaper and our readers. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, when, as part of the newspaper’s 140th anniversary celebrations, the artists of Il Volo will be the editors of Qn – il Resto del Carlino for a day.
Readers’ Questions
In preparation for this event, readers can actively participate by submitting their questions to the trio, which will be selected and submitted to the artists. Submitting your questions is easy: just go to the bottom of the article and leave your questions in the comments section. They will be submitted to the artists during the “Il Resto di Bologna” vodcast.
Then, in the Wednesday, January 21st edition of Il Carlino, you’ll find an editorial by Il Volo, in which the artists will share reflections and considerations drawn from their experience as “directors,” informed by the news reported that day and in the preceding days. Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble will arrive on Via Mattei following a series of personalities such as basketball player Marco Belinelli and singers Nek and Mika.
(The article continues with a description of Il Volo’s career and other things.)
So if you’d like to submit your questions, try this link:
Note from Pat: I had trouble with this link using Google Chrome. I also tried both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer browsers which worked. Write your questions in the comment section that appears at the bottom of this article. Scroll WAY down to get to it and click on the blue box that says “Lascia un commento” (Leave a comment).
Feel free to write in your own language. If your questions are found interesting, they will be read on Il Volo on January 20th.
There’s still time before the next concerts begin; perhaps they’re considering new dates or thinking about new songs, new events that will keep us company in this new year.
We’re waiting for you, we’re your fans, we’re your support.
See you soon!
Daniela🤗
Credit to owners of all photos and videos.
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
