It was almost a surprise; no one expected this wonderful participation from our TV crew on Silvia Toffanin’s show, THIS IS ME, aired on Canale 5 on October 29th.
The announcement of Il Volo’s participation was made only 2-3 days in advance, and in this short video, we see the crew themselves confirm it:
The program was on Canale 5, and Canale 5 videos aren’t available outside of Italy, so I’d like to thank my friend Carmen, the administrator of Il Volo En Clase, who posted the entire video of Il Volo’s appearance, which I’ll now translate for you.
Along with Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca, Silvia’s living room also features two other guests: Gerry Scotti (a great host) and Gigi Buffon (a great goalkeeper).
SILVIA = Good evening and welcome to THIS IS ME! This evening, too, we celebrate the greats of music, entertainment, and sports. We begin with three unique voices, three artists who have sung on the world’s most important stages.
(A video of some of Il Volo’s highlights begins.) I’ll translate the lyrics for you:
IN 16-YEAR CAREER 9 WORLD TOURS
THEY’VE PERFORMED DUETS WITH THE GREATEST ARTISTS
OVER 22 MILLION COPIES WORLDWIDE:
IL VOLO
SILVIA = Il Volo!!
(Amidst the applause of the crowd, Gianluca, Piero, and Ignazio descend the stairs, shaking hands)
Welcome! Hi Gianluca, Piero, Ignazio. (Hugs and kisses)
IGNAZIO = How are you?
SILVIA = Good! Welcome, please take a seat!
You started early, your destinies crossed when you were still teenagers, and from there began a dream that took you to the biggest stages and touring the world together, right? Even arguing sometimes, look!
IGNAZIO = Oh yes!
GIANLUCA = It’s a marriage.
SILVIA = More than a marriage.
(A video with the best moments of Il Volo’s career begins)
(* Voices in the video) *IGNAZIO = You know when you open a drawer and think, what’s in there? (The drawer of dreams) I’d like to do this, that’s what we want to do (is to sing – Ignazio is embarrassed to see himself as a fifteen-year-old).
*PIERO = I had a wonderful childhood, I never lacked love. I’ve had a lot of experience with grandparents, who are the greatest privilege one can receive in life (applause).
*IGNAZIO= I grew up like the usual families who leave their homeland to seek their fortune. I was lively, I got up to all sorts of mischief.
*GIANLUCA=I’m very proud to be from Abruzzo.
I’ve always been a very curious child, a very restless child. We didn’t sing together right away; we were very lucky to be on the same show as each other.
*IN 2009 THEY PARTICIPATED IN THE TALENT SHOW “TI LASCIO UNA CANZONE”
*GIANLUCA= We were the only kids who sang the same genre, then they decided to put us together, and from there our musical journey began.
*WITH “O SOLE MIO” THEY SING TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME
*GIANLUCA= And then life changed radically, from school to Los Angeles.
*PIERO = To We are the World for Haiti
*JUST ONE YEAR LATER, THEY WERE THE ONLY ITALIAN ARTISTS TO PARTICIPATE IN “WE ARE THE WORLD FOR HAITI”
*GIANLUCA = We had a childhood and adolescence that were completely out of the ordinary.
*GIANLUCA, IGNAZIO, AND PIERO BECOME “IL VOLO”.
*IGNAZIO = A good omen for flying to every city.
*THEY WERE JUST THREE TEENAGERS WHEN THEY DUETED WITH A GIANT OF MUSIC
*WITH BARBARA STREISAND ON TOUR THROUGH AMERICA AND CANADA IN 2012.
*IGNAZIO = Many kids want to follow this path, and we were lucky.
*GIANLUCA = We were lucky.
*IGNAZIO = Lucky to do all this.
SILVIA = (to Piero) From school to Barbara Streisand in an instant.
PIERO = Gigi’s video (Gigi Buffon was there with them; the video dedicated to him came before the Il Volo one) ends with Gigi saying, “Each of us is born with a destiny,” but this destiny must be accompanied by great luck, that of having people, parents, who help you discover your greatest calling. If you don’t have these people to help you in this discovery, it’s difficult to reach that destiny. (applause)
SILVIA = So your families have been important.
GIANLUCA = Yes.
PIERO = It was the greatest blessing.
SILVIA = Family.
GIANLUCA = We were talking about parents, and blessing is also having parents who don’t want their children to do what they (the parents) want, but to do what their children want to do.
IGNAZIO = Imagine, I wanted to be a veterinarian!
SILVIA = Oh, just think.
GERRY = But you were fine as a vet, you have the right physique.
IGNAZIO = “Let’s see what’s wrong with this little dog”… ha ha
SILVIA = And yet, the music was the star, Ignazio, and you can’t do without it.
Everything’s ready for you, to hear two wonderful songs…
PIERO = I thought that was for Ignazio (the fabrics are hanging from the ceiling, on which a dancer will be performing).
SILVIA = Marisol (the dancer) is here, and we’re saying goodbye. Everything’s already prepared for Capolavoro and Grande Amore: Il Volo! (The guys get up to go to the place where they’ll sing – applause)
IGNAZIO = (to the other guests) Do you want to come with us?
PIERO = Anyway, excuse me, but doesn’t Gigi Buffon look like the fourth member of Il Volo? (laughter)
SILVIA = That could be it.
GIGI = Starting tomorrow.
SILVIA = Starting tomorrow, Gigi, you have a future!
(The two songs begin, enlivened by beautiful choreography; at the end, there’s huge applause; all three guys turn to applaud the dancers)
PIERO = (to the dancers) Well done, guys!
GIANLUCA = Applause for the dancers.
PIERO = Well done, everyone. Thank you.
IGNAZIO = Thank you so much.
(The crowd stands for a standing ovation)
GERRY = Standing ovation, standing ovation, how wonderful, yes.
SILVIA = Very much.
GERRY = See, you ask me what I envy in life? I wish I could sing 10 times worse than Il Volo and I wish I could save 100 times worse than Buffon, (laughter) and instead I end up being a TV presenter.
SILVIA = Come on, you didn’t do badly.
GERRY = Everyone has the grass on the other side. (meaning everyone appreciates what others do).
PIERO = You’re great, though.
GERRY = The biggest! (He means by size)
SILVIA = (to Gerry) So, I didn’t just have you come from Milan, but I also had a surprise…
GERRY = What’s a panettone? (a typical Milanese Christmas cake)
SILVIA = No, no, always something to eat…
GERRY = La Modonnina (the famous statue of the Madonna that dominates Milan from the high spire of the Duomo)
SILVIA = That’s difficult…
GERRY = What did you have come??
SILVIA = The Wheel and Samira!! (Gerry’s evening program is THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE, a game show, Samira is the valet – applause, the beautiful Samira enters)
Samira = Good evening, good evening everyone, hello Silvia.
SILVIA = You brought The Wheel.
GERRY = We can go home, guys (he jokes, Samira hugs Gerry and says hello to Il Volo and Buffon).
SILVIA = No, you play.
GERRY = You stole it! (meaning The Wheel)
SILVIA = Yes, I stole the wheel.
GERRY = Are you crazy?
SILVIA = Yes, I even customized it because I’ve already formed the teams: Ignazio with Gigi since they have the same type, you two play together, Piero and Gianluca, come here.
SAMIRA = We’re here.
GERRY = They must be looking for her, you really stole her!
SILVIA = I stole Samira and The Wheel too.
GERRY = It’s a different wheel, guys (he means it’s just similar to the original)
PIERO = Hold on, everyone, I have to confess something.
SILVIA = You’re welcome.
PIERO= I travel with an iPad and I watch THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE every evening (applause), no, I didn’t do it for the applause, this wheel is rigged.
SILVIA = No, this is the wheel of wonders made especially for you.
PIERO = All that’s missing is BANKRUPTCY, EXPRESS… (the real themes of the wheel)
GERRY = Bravo!
PIERO = Where’s the EXPRESS? Where’s the joker?
SAMIRA = We have the joker in person (she means Gerry)
PIERO = And the prize?
GERRY = There will be a prize… but there’s the scoreboard!!
SILVIA = Yes, there’s the scoreboard!
SAMIRA = Really, but it’s beautiful, shall I go there?
SILVIA = Yes, go there, go Samira.
SAMIRA = I’m going, I’m going to the board.
IGNAZIO = I’ve never gotten anything right. Express.
GERRY = So, Sam (Samira), we’re live from the La Ruota studio.
SAMIRA = Yes.
GERRY = Now a cameraman is focusing on the board where a sentence will appear that they tell me will be titled: GERRY and SILVIA. (The game works like this: the wheel spins to decide who goes first. You name the consonants, and if they’re in the sentence, the boxes light up and Samira turns them over. At the end, you have to guess the hidden sentence.)
GERRY = So, let’s make Buffon turn. (Gigi)
GIGI = Clockwise or counterclockwise?
PIERO = Like this.
GERRY = Like this and let’s see who starts. Easy, don’t break it, it’s fake.
GERRY = They’ll start saying a consonant…Ignazio and Gigi start.
Let’s see if it works (the scoreboard), it works here too.
GERRY = Good, good. As long as you have the game, you go ahead, say another one.
GIGI = S, the S for Savona.
SAMIRA = No, the S for Samira, sorry….
GIGI = The S for Silvia, then….
SAMIRA = Yes, and for Silvia.
SILVIA = S for Samira!!
GERRY = We only have two.
SAMIRA = There are two.
GERRY = As long as they keep the game (that is, they guess the consonants), they go ahead.
IGNAZIO = T for Tuna.
GERRY = The T for Tuna….
SILVIA = Let’s see….
SAMIRA = One
GERRY = There is, there’s only one.
Oh my, Silvia and Gerry, look, it’s difficult with the board, it’s not easy….Gigi?
GIGI = I have to find a consonant that’s a little out of the ordinary, let’s go with the F.
GERRY = The F.
GIGI = The F for fire.
GERRY = There’s that too.
SAMIRA = One
GIGI = It saved us.
GERRY = I’d put a vowel.
SAMIRA = A vowel, come on, good job.
IGNAZIO = Why can you do that?
GERRY = Yes, you can buy it, I’ll give you 500 euros (laughter – in the real game, vowels have to be paid).
IGNAZIO = It’s a bit expensive, damn! A of damn (in Italian A di Ammazza).
GERRY = A for Ammazza.
SAMIRA = Let’s see if there’s an A… there is, there is…
GERRY = Well done, well done and lucky, but only they (meaning Ignazio and Gigi) are playing.
GIGI = But can they (Piero and Gianluca) play?
GERRY = Not as long as you keep winning.
GIGI = Then I’ll take a chance.
GERRY = Ask for the W.
GIGI = A G for Gigi.
GERRY = A G for Gigi.
PIERO = There isn’t one.
GERRY = It’s your turn (Piero and Gianluca)
PIERO = The L.
GERRY = The L for Luna.
SAMIRA = Let’s see?…two.
GERRY = A couple, go on, Samira…
SAMIRA = Come on, we’re getting closer.
GERRY = Silvia and Gerry….one sentence, the audience is murmuring, it’s your turn
GIANLUCA = The C.
GERRY = The C for Como….is there? Yes, there is, but only one. (Ignazio laughs), don’t disturb…
PIERO = Can I call a vowel?
SILVIA = Yes.
PIERO = An E, the E for Empoli.
GERRY = Let’s see with the E, look, he (Piero) seems ready to give the answer.
SAMIRA = I see him as an expert, there are four.
GIANLUCA = Be careful….
GERRY = Come on, ask for another one, you can do it.
PIERO = Another vowel, the I.
GERRY = The I.
SAMIRA = Let’s see…
IGNAZIO = Okay, the I.
GERRY = There is, there is, and the word Felice is there.
GIANLUCA = UNA FELICE, yes, exactly.
IGNAZIO = I understood the first sentence and the last one.
GERRY = But first they (Piero and Gian) have to make a mistake.
PIERO = The D of Domodossola.
SAMIRA = Two, two.
PIERO = The consonant R.
GERRY = Yes, we’re there…
SILVIA = Yes, go…
SAMIRA = Are we there?
SILVIA = Now it’s easy.
GERRY = The crowd is shouting, soon, say it.
GIANLUCA = We’ve got it, we’ve got it.
PIERO = A HAPPY REUNION FROM THE TIMES OF WORD OF MOUTH (applause and hugs)
PIERO = It’s done!
GERRY = It’s obvious you play, well done!
SILVIA = It’s done, thank you!! Well done.
GERRY = Well done, Samira.
SILVIA = Let’s look at the photo Gerry, it’s us, look how young we were. Too many years ago Gerry.
(The photo of Gerry and Silvia appears in 1999. Gerry Scotti hosted a game show called PASSAPAROLA, which aired on Canale 5, and Silvia was one of the showgirls called Letterine. For Silvia Toffanin, it was her first appearance; she was 20 years old. Piersilvio Berlusconi, the young son of the then owner of the television network, saw her and began courting her. Since then, they have been a couple and have had two children. Piersilvio is now CEO of all Mediaset television networks.)
IGNAZIO = But you were a little girl.
GERRY = She was a little girl, look, how embarrassing, I was so old.
SILVIA = But you look great.
GIANLUCA = He’s Benjamin Button in real life.
SILVIA = Yes. Thanks, Samira, bring the wheel.
SAMIRA = I’ll take it back.
GERRY = (to the audience) Everyone knew (the solved sentence), but you didn’t suggest it, well done.
SAMIRA = Hello everyone, thank you, you’re a great inspiration.
GERRY = Go, Samira, we have to go to work later. Long live Samira.
SILVIA = It’s time to see your extraordinary career that’s taken you all over the world. Look!
(video starts)
*3 YOUNG TALENTS BRING “BEL CANTO” TO THE WORLD
*PIERO = It’s not Il Volo that brings Italian music abroad. It’s the music we sing that has made us discover the world.
*GIANLUCA = This is Il Volo.
*BEST GROUP OF THE YEAR AT THE “LATIN BILLBOARD AWARDS” (2014)
*IL VOLO ALSO WINS THE ITALIAN PUBLIC
*CONTI = Il Volo wins the 2015 Sanremo Music Festival with Grande Amore.
*SANREMO FESTIVAL 2015 “GRANDE AMORE”
*IGNAZIO = We hoped to win, also because we were practically unknown in Italy. And then an earthquake struck.
*EUROVISION 2015.
*SANREMO FESTIVAL 2019 “MUSICA CHE RESTA”
*SANREMO FESTIVAL 2024 “CAPOLAVORO”
*9 WORLD TOURS IN A 16-YEAR CAREER
*PIERO = Here we are in New York.
*NORTH AMERICA
*EUROPE
*IGNAZIO = Good evening, London!
*CHINA
*IGNAZIO = We’re going to China.
*PIERO = We have a 10-11 hour flight ahead of us.
*JAPAN
*THEY JUST CONCLUDED THEIR NEW LATIN AMERICAN TOUR WITH HUGE SUCCESS.
*GIANLUCA = We’ll be at the Movistar Arena in Buenos Aires.
Seeing the emotion on people’s faces is truly refreshing for us and a privilege.
*PROTAGONISTS ON THE STAGE OF THE VERONA ARENA
*IGNAZIO = Ciao Verona.
*THEY HAVE DUETED WITH THE GREATEST ARTISTS
*OVER 22 MILLION COPIES SOLD WORLDWIDE
*THE ALBUM “GRANDE AMORE” HAS BEEN TRIPLATINUM
*THE SINGLE “GRANDE AMORE” HAS BEEN TRI-PLATINUM
*THE SINGLE “L’AMORE SI MUOVE” HAS BEEN TRI-PLATINUM
*THE “CAPOLAVORO” GOLD RECORD
*THE “TEN YEARS – THE BEST OF” GOLD RECORD
*THE PLATINUM COLLECTION GOLD RECORD
*THE “BUON NATALE” GOLD RECORD
*LIVE TIM MUSIC AWARDS 2025
*2019 WORLD YOUTH DAY
*PIERO = Being asked to represent these events makes you understand that you’re doing well, both musically and personally.
*2022 WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES
*2025 YOUTH JUBILEE
*PIERO = What we’ve always tried to do from the beginning is to convey values. (applause)
GERRY = Beautiful
SILVIA = So many things.
GERRY = Beautiful, beautiful.
GIANLUCA = Thanks for this video.
SILVIA = It’s you.
IGNAZIO = And then when I look at myself, you think…is it us?
GIANLUCA = Is it us? Let’s wake up for a moment… (it’s like a dream)
SILVIA = It’s you…and all those people…
IGNAZIO = But because, having started very young, that is, very early, we experienced everything with great naiveté.
I mean, I remember when we first arrived in Los Angeles, we’d go to parties where Ryanna, Lady Gaga, Leonardo DiCaprio were there, then Cindy Crawford would come by, and I… wow, I was 16…
GIANLUCA = We didn’t even speak English back then…
IGNAZIO = No, I just spoke like that… (he imitates foaming at the mouth)
SILVIA = You were catapulted into a huge world, bigger than you.
IGNAZIO = Yes, and it’s crazy because then we’d go home and tell our friends, and they… no, no…
SILVIA = But it was all true.
IGNAZIO = And it was all true.
GERRY = It’s really you.
PIERO = Can I add something?
SILVIA = You’re welcome!
PIERO = We’ve had the opportunity to see some of our experiences, but recently we’ve organized some events, some evenings with the program TUTTI PER UNO, which are dedicated evenings in prime time on Canale 5. If three young people like us have the opportunity to achieve these things, it’s also thanks to those who give us the opportunity to make them come true, and this network is allowing us so much. It’s allowing us to realize great dreams, because we desire so much, we imagine, but then to make them come true, we need someone who gives us the opportunity to do so. (Long applause – it’s a thank you to Mediaset for allowing them to organize the wonderful TUTTI PER UNO events.)
SILVIA = And I’m happy to be here to tell you your dream, Gerry’s dream, Gigi Buffon’s dream.
Everything’s ready for you to sing THE SOUND OF SILENCE.
GIANLUCA = We dedicate this to Gerry.
GERRY = Noooo, it’s one of my favorites!!
I can ruin it for you… (sing with them)
IGNAZIO = If you want, yes.
GERRY = Or I’ll send Buffon. (who’s out of tune)
SILVIA = Il Volo. (applause, the song begins)
(applause and standing ovation)
PIERO = Thank you.
SILVIA = Thank you, come on.
GERRY = Well done, and well done to the dance troupe, obviously, (people cheering the guys on), well done, well done.
SILVIA = Thank you for being here, thank you for telling your story.
GERRY = It was wonderful! So I have to tell you something, Silvia. Usually, as you know, I get emotional about things that concern me. This evening I’m happy because following their stories made me as emotional as I did with my own. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.
It was a beautiful evening. This show, hosted in a very natural and kind way by Silvia, highlighted the best moments of Il Volo’s career, highlighted their beautiful words, and honored their voices.
It was truly a wonderful show, followed by a huge home audience, which earned the highest audience share of the evening.
Our guys were truly genuine and very familiar, they felt at ease in Silvia’s living room. Well done, guys.
But I want to finish even more beautifully with this very sweet shot.❤️💙❤️
The 2025 Festival dello Spettacolo is the first edition of a new event in Milan, taking place over three days, from October 24th to 26th, dedicated to all forms of entertainment.
Born from an idea by TV Sorrisi e Canzoni(a weekly television, music, and film magazine), it will transform Superstudio Più (the venue in Milan where the event will take place) into a huge exhibition area with live events, previews, talks, workshops, and direct interactions between the audience and artists from film, TV, music, sports, and food.
It’s a unique event: it’s the first time a festival in Europe has brought together all the languages of entertainment in one place.
There will be eight themed areas open from 10 a.m. until late at night.
Closing the Festival, on October 26th, Il Volo will take the stage, it won’t be a concert, but a nice chat.
(From the Facebook page Lemammeilvolovers Fangroup, which I thank, I took the video and am sending you the translation.)
(There’s confusion because when the guys entered, people got up and moved closer to the stage to take photos, so there are voices shouting “sit down.”)
HOST= Did you like my presentation?
GIANLUCA= Yes.
HOST= Thanks.
PIERO= I didn’t hear anything (due to the confusion)
HOST= I studied it carefully, I even forgot something, but everyone knows you, so I won’t add anything.
(people don’t sit down or go back to their seats) I’d ask the people in front who are standing to sit down otherwise those in the back won’t see, thanks!
I’m curious….well, when Piero… (Piero, in the meantime, has gone to the front of the stage and pointed to someone, maybe a little girl, who knows Il Volo’s songs, and Piero tells the host)…. oh well, then we’ll have them sing a little bit.
If you’d sit down (referring to the audience), we can get started. Most importantly, I need to send a video about you (Il Volo).
IGNAZIO= Oh, come on!
GIANLUCA= A video?
HOST= Sure, a video, yes! (The video starts and summarizes Il Volo’s latest South American tour)
Wow, how exciting!
IGNAZIO= It’s beautiful!
HOST= You’re making the girls cry like before with Renato Zero, I’d say (He’s a great Italian singer who was on stage before Il Volo).
So, guys, first of all, I’m curious: do you always position yourselves like this? Seated, in a row, when you take photos, with Ignazio in the center.
IGNAZIO= It’s automatic now.
HOST= And you’re always in the center.
GIANLUCA= He’s the tightrope walker, he’s in the center because Piero and I are kind of opposites, right?
HOST= Okay!
GIANLUCA= He keeps his balance a bit.
HOST= Sure, sure!
GIANLUCA= So he has to be in the center.
HOST= Of course. But when you sing, you always start, Gianluca, then Piero, and then Ignazio. Is there a reason? I don’t know, like different voice distributions… tell me.
IGNAZIO= Simply because of our vocal characteristics: he’s a baritone (Gianluca), we’re both tenors. A baritone’s characteristics are in the medium-low range, with a slightly warmer voice, so it’s better if he starts the song than me. It also depends on the song.
GIANLUCA= It’s a dynamic of vocal growth that then explodes with Piero’s voice, obviously.
HOST= Piero, we explode with your voice.
GIANLUCA= Exactly, we explode with his voice.
PIERO= We decided, it’s like a pecking order.
HOST= You’re last, though!
PIERO= Jokes aside, it was all very spontaneous: the projects, how we met, even how we decided to divide a song. To be clear: 15/16 years ago, dividing a song was more complicated because we didn’t know each other well and we didn’t know our personal limitations.
Now, when they propose a song to us, just from the lyrics we understand who should do what part, what’s best. There’s much more awareness, more maturity.
HOST= You just returned from a sold-out South American tour, which started on October 3rd, and then in a few days you’re leaving for a European tour. I read London, Paris, Berlin, and then you’ve already announced new dates in Latin America in March 2026. And then I’ll turn the page because you have so many dates, including Italy, you’re coming back in December 2026 (applause).
I wanted to ask you, out of 365 days a year, how many days do you stay home?
PIERO= The last number!
HOST= Five??
IGNAZIO= It depends, it depends on the years, it depends on commitments. There were years when we were home for two weeks (in a year).
HOST= Really?
IGNAZIO= Yes, there were years when we were home for 2-3 months.
But as you grow up, you realize that even to be a little more productive, you have to take a break every now and then, so we try to take a break for a month and a half, two a year maximum.
HOST= Okay!
GIANLUCA= And stopping these days is a luxury, being able to afford to choose not to work.
HOST= Sure, sure.
GIANLUCA= It should apply to everyone, to understand that perhaps as much as work makes you free, trying to take some time off, even in one day, this applies to everyone and is very important. (applause)
HOST= The first thing you do when you come home from a tour.
IGNAZIO= Take off your shoes, that’s for sure, otherwise my wife will kill me!
GIANLUCA= Good, I agree, how many of you don’t take off your shoes at home?
(Piero raises his hand)
HOST= I take them off.
GIANLUCA= You always have to take them off. I make everyone take them off, even those with holes in their socks, it doesn’t matter!
PIERO= If I come to your house and you make me take off my shoes… I won’t come to your house.
HOST= No, I don’t let others take them off.
IGNAZIO= (to Piero) You have to come to my house on Thursday.
PIERO= I’ll keep my shoes, I’ve never taken them off at your house.
The first thing I do. I personally live by the sea, so I go for a run by the sea to rebalance myself mentally and physically.
IGNAZIO = You said at home, not outside, do you run at home? Do you have a beach at home?
PIERO = Oh, you meant inside?
HOST = Indeed! I also wanted to ask you what it is about Italy that you miss most when you’re away?
GIANLUCA = Coffee. By the way, I saw the interview with Tiziano Ferro (a famous Italian singer who lives abroad) and he said the same thing. It doesn’t take much to make a good coffee. It’s impossible! Maybe we found a good coffee in Colombia.
PIERO = But we can say it. You know when we talk about artists’ vices, they ask for who knows what. We only ask for one thing in our dressing rooms.
GIANLUCA = (he jokes) red carpet, red curtains…
PIERO = …we eat any food, and in recent years we’ve requested, because it’s something all three of us have in common, a Nespresso coffee machine in the dressing room. Before a concert or maybe when you arrive, and it makes you feel good, being able to savor the flavors of home.
GIANLUCA= Which is a Swiss company (meaning Nespresso is a Swiss factory that developed coffee with an Italian flavor), but those are details.
HOST= Those are details for a great coffee!
PIERO= We help the economy grow in Switzerland too.
HOST= I wanted to know who’s the fastest at packing their suitcase.
PIERO= Me.
IGNAZIO= No, not you.
GIANLUCA= (to Ignazio) But you do it?
IGNAZIO= Yes.
GIANLUCA= But since when?
PIERO= Since when?
IGNAZIO= What are you talking about? If we have a plane at 1:00 PM, I’ll pack my suitcase at 10:00 AM.
GIANLUCA= The clothes in Ignazio’s suitcase fold themselves, it’s his method.
PIERO= I discovered something incredible, guys, three days ago. I tried it, and unfortunately, it works.
Do you know who packed my last suitcase, the one for the European tour? ChatGPT (a chat that gives quick answers on any topic).
HOST= Come on, did you ask ChatGPT how to pack?
PIERO= I put my calendar on ChatGPT and said, “Pack my suitcase,” he told me what to pack. He advised me that it rains in Germany this time of year, so bring a raincoat, bring x number of underwear, and socks, incredible!
In a few days, Chat will even do the laundry! (laughter)
GIANLUCA= Soon he’ll be singing for us too, the time will come, sooner or later, you’ll see.
HOST= ChatGPT aside…
PIERO= Guys, it exists, we all have it at our fingertips.
GIANLUCA= Evolution can’t be stopped.
PIERO= We should never be surprised; on the contrary, we should take advantage of evolution.
IGNAZIO= Do you know what worries me most about this Artificial Intelligence?
GIANLUCA= He (Ignazio) is more conservative, we (Gian and Piero) are more progressive…
IGNAZIO= There won’t be a method anymore, the kids won’t have a method anymore, because now for everything they’ll ask ChatGPT how to do it? (applause)
The suitcase with ChatGPT (points to Piero teasingly).
PIERO= Then when you come to me and say:
“Can you lend me a sweater, I forgot it? I’ll let you go out without it.
IGNAZIO= It doesn’t fit me, with your sweater I look like a cured meat. (laughter)
HOST= In fact, I wanted to ask you which of the three is the most absent-minded and has left things all over the world. (both Piero and Gianluca put their hands on Ignazio)
IGNAZIO= It used to happen!
PIERO= Use ChatGPT
GIANLUCA= Look, if he starts using it, you’ll appreciate it.
IGNAZIO= No, it used to happen, but it hasn’t happened for a while now.
HOST= You forgot some of your things all over the world.
GIANLUCA= I have to admit I’m not particularly practical, so maybe…
HOST= Maybe your head is a bit in the clouds…
GIANLUCA=…a little…
HOST= But whose suitcase is the heaviest?
GIANLUCA= My last one weighed 34 kg.
HOST= Wow!
What’s the first thing you pack, Gianluca?
GIANLUCA= 20 kg of books and then…
IGNAZIO= What he doesn’t understand is that books are great at home when you read them, but when you travel, you get a Kindle (e-book reader) that weighs nothing, you take it with you and you have all the books you want.
GIANLUCA= Then I pack the various outfits, all the things you have to be prepared for when you travel, the medicines, you always have to bring a kit, a pharmacy, Piero does that too, right?
HOST= Do you do that too, Piero?
PIERO= Also.
GIANLUCA= When you’re away for two months, maybe you need some kind of medicine…
HOST= Sure, so who’s the pharmacist of the three?
GIANLUCA= Maybe a little more Piero.
HOST= Piero, okay.
The first one to arrive at the airport?
IGNAZIO= We’ll arrive together.
GIANLUCA= Same car.
HOST= Oh, you arrive at the airport together, you don’t meet up…
IGNAZIO= If we’re in Bologna and we have to get to the airport, I always arrive last. Because then I calculate the time.
HOST= Have you ever missed a plane?
IGNAZIO= Yes, it’s my fault.
PIERO= When?
IGNAZIO= In Miami (when the night before departure, Ignazio was unknowingly drugged in a nightclub and woke up in a traffic jam while everyone was looking for him everywhere. Because of this, everyone missed their plane and had to book another afternoon flight, and they had the concert that evening).
PIERO= Oh, well, it was a special moment.
IGNAZIO= But we missed the plane.
PIERO= Yes, but never because of a delay, we’re very good at that.
HOST= Let’s take a step back. It was 2009 and three very young singers showed up at TI LASCIO UNA CANZONE.(An old photo with Antonella Clerici appears behind them.) There you are!
Gianluca doesn’t even look at the photo.
GIANLUCA= You see, miracles happen in life, you see, this is the example that God exists.
If you want a pragmatic and possible example, here’s that photo. (He means the appearance of all three of us.)
HOST= But do you remember what you thought of each other the first time you met there?
IGNAZIO= So, Piero and I were a bit more of a clique.
PIERO= It wasn’t us who were cliquey, but we weren’t considered by those who were cliquey (he means that Piero and Ignazio weren’t considered by the slightly more snobbish group where Gianluca was also).
IGNAZIO= Because unfortunately, when you’re with a lot of people, cliques form: the “fighettini” (meaning the slightly better looking and slightly more haughty ones) and the more social ones.
He (Gianluca) was part of the “fighettini”.
And so he was always with this circle of “cool” kids who stayed away.
Then there were us, and Piero and I had bonded a little more. Then they put us together….
HOST= Did this happen to you?…
PIERO= You can say it’s unfortunate. (he’s joking, obviously)
IGNAZIO= And even today we try to make him (Gianluca) understand that hanging out with the “preppy” kids isn’t…
GIANLUCA= But think about it, when you say… the laws of the universe, how is it possible at the right time… the timing… in the right place we meet, we sing individually on a TV show, we didn’t know each other, for the first time in 10 years on a show like that, three 14/15-year-old kids meet singing the same genre of music, then Roberto Cenci had the idea of putting us together, then Michele Torpedine, along with the producers at the time, Tony Renis was also there, they saw us on TV and everything started from there, so there must be something bigger.
HOST= Of course, since then you’ve become a trio, so you’ve learned to get along, you spend most of your lives together.
Can you tell me the happiest moment the three of you have spent together?
PIERO = A few days ago, a month and a half ago, Ignazio became a father. (applause)
HOST = Yes! We’ll talk about it later.
PIERO = This is part of our private lives. We’re experiencing a moment of happiness right now, a great moment, and I believe we need to talk about good times out loud and acknowledge that we’re living a good time, so that when the bad times come, you can look back.
This is a moment in which we recognize that we’re three privileged young men because we’re doing what we love, we do it with great responsibility, we have to admit this because all three of us are soldiers in our work; when we go on tour, we’re very responsible for everything.
But we live with the greatest passion; for us, the greatest passion, our highest capacity for expression is music, and living with your passion, making it a career, I think is a great achievement that I wish for everyone. There’s a beautiful phrase I like to repeat often: “Not all of us can do what we love to do,” and when you do a job that perhaps doesn’t reflect your passion or vocation, you have to be able to learn from what life has led you to do. Therefore, happiness and serenity are a daily commitment that must always be persevered in and acknowledged. (applause)
HOST= Great! And that time you told each other to go to hell?
PIERO= A little while ago. (laughter)
HOST= What happened?
IGNAZIO= I think it’s also normal for a relationship involving two or more people to have a dialogue, and sometimes that dialogue can be constructive and sometimes destructive. Fortunately, we’re three very intelligent guys, and we’ve made our dialogues, our clashes, constructive for us as people but also as artists, and that’s why we’re still here together today, making music, having fun, and enjoying ourselves. However, I think that not being alone is a choice, and we try to remind ourselves every day that we’re not obligated to be together; it’s a consequence, a choice all three of us have made over the years. The choice must be continuous, daily, and that’s what unites us, this desire, this shared goal of music, but also because I’m not saying we’ve become one, but objectively, who knows us better than the three of us if not the three of us?
HOST= Of course!
IGNAZIO= And this unites us so much, there you go! (applause)
HOST= I’d like to take another step back. The year after the trio was founded, in 2010, you participated in “WE ARE THE WORLD FOR HAITI.” You were about 15 years old, so very young, and you found yourself alongside 80 international stars—we’re talking Lady Gaga, Bono, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand. What do you remember about that first international experience? (A photo of the guys with Celine Dion appears behind them.)
PIERO= I remember that scarf.
HOST= That scarf?
GIANLUCA= Those outfits.
PIERO= Look at the three scarves.
HOST= Actually, I hadn’t noticed the three scarves.
PIERO= But Celine Dion has a scarf too.
IGNAZIO= But anyway, I’m more or less the same, but you (to Piero) are truly a miracle (laughter), you’re a handsome guy now, but I wouldn’t have bet a single cent on that.
GIANLUCA = In fact, in the phases of a career, imagine how difficult it is to be authentic and it also takes the courage to be yourself artistically, because it is easier to conform, to follow trends, and you need that person who believes in you at the right time, who supports your courage to ensure that you can express your full vocation and Michele Torpedine was this for us, he was that push that allowed us to become what we are today and we want to thank him publicly and again as we always do. (applause)
(Meanwhile, the photo behind them has changed, now it’s the three of them with Beyoncé)
PIERO= He’s not Michele Torpedine, but she’s Beyoncé.
GIANLUCA= Exactly! So, you think that back then, Michele had seen these three children and had already seen beyond, as he had already done with Giorgia and with Bocelli.
HOST= Of course.
GIANLUCA= Especially with Bocelli, he was the one who created Andrea Bocelli.
PIERO= While you’re talking about Michele Torpedine, he’s there in that dressing room (it’s a glass space so everyone can see it) having a meeting… Michele!
HOST= He’s not paying attention at all!
PIERO= (he turns to Torpedine and the people with him) You’re not listening to anything we’re saying, we’re talking about you, stand up! Bow! (applause) And then you can go back to the meeting.
HOST= (to Torpedine) Yes, now you can continue talking about other things.
I wanted to share this beautiful memory I have. In 2012, I accompanied you to Los Angeles where, acclaimed like stars, you sang with Barbra Streisand (behind them is a photo from Il Volo with Barbra).
I have this memory: in your dressing room, before you started singing on stage, I remember Gianluca struggling with the hair dryer and hairspray and trying to tame his quiff, Ignazio eating breadcrumbs to clean his voice…
GIANLUCA= He still does it!
HOST=….and Piero who was very pleased with the fact that the shade of his red glasses matched the color of his earphones. So, if you wanted to look back, what would you say to those three kids, because you were truly three very young people?
IGNAZIO= But nothing has changed in the end…I keep eating bread, he (Gianluca) keeps adjusting the quiff….
GIANLUCA= And Piero changed the frame…
IGNAZIO= Yes, he (Piero) keeps changing the frame based on the in-ears. Nothing’s changed, everything’s the same.
GIANLUCA= Basically, the enthusiasm is the same as it was back then, and that’s what should accompany all artists in general. Then maybe we’ve grown a little, hopefully more mature, wiser.
HOST= Of course, that’s true. In 2015, you won the Sanremo Festival with GRANDE AMORE(applause – behind them, the victory photo).
Here you are!
What did it feel like to win the Festival in Italy after so many international successes?
IGNAZIO= That Sanremo there, besides having an important meaning in Italy… we arrived in Italy as almost three unknowns because here we hadn’t done much compared to what we were doing outside of Italy…. so besides having had the satisfaction of winning Sanremo, everyone in Italy has Sanremo in their dreams, but for us it had an important meaning because we were coming from a very difficult year in 2014, and we were perhaps in a bit of difficulty, because in any case ours is a genre where you have to work a lot, you have to come up with lots of ideas and 2014 was a very important year in some respects, in others it was difficult and very particular, so it was a bit of a gamble on Sanremo and arriving at the victory, It wasn’t just saying “I won Sanremo” but I won in the choices I’ve made up to now. That’s why 2014 is so significant for us.
GIANLUCA = Yes, and then it was the great return of “bel canto” to Italy, because after Andrea Bocelli, there had been no one who, in some way, courageously brought bel canto back to Italy. This is a musical genre that, I wouldn’t say, is more appreciated abroad. With hard work, the right choices, and the support of our manager, we managed to bring this musical genre back and make it successful again in Italy. After CON TE PARTIRÒ in 1994 (Bocelli at Sanremo), there had been no one, so it was a great return of bel canto, and we’re very proud of this because it’s not a question of being too nostalgic or melancholic. That’s the point. We’re all influenced by the past, even today’s great pop artists, young artists, singer-songwriters, just as we are influenced by a certain type of art and artists who, over time, have brought this music around the world, and we’ve realized how much our musical culture is truly appreciated by everyone.
Listening to NESSUN DORMA is like walking through the streets of Rome, something eternal with Puccini’s music and we become the vehicle of this cultural heritage that we have inherited, trying to bring it, with great pride, to the new generations as well. (applause)
HOST= But who has the prize? Who’s holding it? (I think she’s referring to Sanremo)
GIANLUCA= Torpedine has the prize.
HOST= I suspected so, Michele Torpedine.
IGNAZIO= He’s lost in meetings.
HOST= Okay, he has it anyway.
IGNAZIO= Yes.
HOST= In your phone book, there are the numbers of the biggest music stars, of Hollywood. Which one do you use most often?
GIANLUCA= I have Ignazio’s number!
IGNAZIO= The one we call most often?
HOST= Among these greats…
GIANLUCA= (to Ignazio) A little while ago with Renato Zero (famous Italian singer).
IGNAZIO= Yes, but it’s better to ask him (Piero), I’m a bit neglectful of relationships.
PIERO= There’s a dear friend of ours we keep in touch with all the time, at least once every two weeks we exchange a message. She’s Priscilla, Elvis Presley’s wife.
HOST= Oh, yes!
PIERO= She often comes to our concerts in Los Angeles.
IGNAZIO= But I can say that there was a time when we often felt like friends with Sharon Stone.
HOST= Wow, guys! But is there a number you don’t have that you’d like in your address book?
IGNAZIO= I don’t have yours yet.
HOST= Okay, I’ll give it to you later.
PIERO= Pope Leo XIV.
HOST= But you do have the photo with him.
PIERO= Every now and then I’d have a blessing, and every two weeks a confession of sins.
HOST= By the way, you’ve met two Popes, for whom you’ve sung. Pope Francis and then Pope Leo, right? What did he say to you?
PIERO= You know he’s very nice.
HOST= Who are we talking about? Pope Francis or Pope Leo?
PIERO= We’ve had several opportunities to meet Pope Francis, at World Youth Day in Panama and at Family Day in Rome. Pope Francis was as we knew him, straightforward as a person.
Even today, we’ve had few opportunities to meet Pope Leo to say, at least personally, his character; that comes with time, character, personality. We’ve had the opportunity to meet him directly, and he was very nice to us. We had an audience a few weeks ago, and the cardinal told him, “They’re Il Volo,” and he said, “Of course, I’ve been listening to you since you were 15 or 16.”
GIANLUCA= The Pope is Venetian (he says that because Piero used a Venetian accent while speaking; in reality, he was born in the U.S.).
PIERO= Yes, he’s a Venetian Pope, from Rovigo (he’s joking).
HOST= I wanted to ask Ignazio something, if I may.
IGNAZIO= You can.
HOST= What’s the song you sing to Gabriele to put him to sleep?
IGNAZIO= Well, sometimes I make them up.
HOST= Do you make them up?
IGNAZIO= Yes, I sing like (and he hums): “Goodnight my love, goodnight”… I make them up.
Or when he’s excited because he has colic, the usual baby stuff. I wrote two songs before he was born, and only those two songs calm him down, because when my wife was pregnant, I always played songs to the belly.
PIERO= It’s amazing, if he (Gabriele) cries, he hears the first note sung by him (Ignazio) and calms down.
HOST= Can you tell us the first note?
IGNAZIO= Ciao….
I+G= Ciao ciao bambina…. (laughter-it’s the beginning of the song Piove)
(The video stops here but I was able to pick up the last bit of speech from another video.)
HOST= It works?
IGNAZIO= It works well!
HOST= Beautiful, beautiful.
IGNAZIO= But it’s also nice because it’s the first time
I didn’t believe she (his wife) sent me the video. I thought, “Well, it’s the music, and like any child who listens to music, he calms down.” They tried playing any music or song, but nothing, he (Gabriele) didn’t calm down. If she plays mine, he calms down, and I was thrilled. It’s a beautiful thing, especially because we were on tour in Latin America, and so I received this video, and it’s touching!
HOST= Great! Speaking of the tour, before we end this lovely chat, let’s remember your upcoming concerts: Italy in December 2026, the 2nd in Florence, the 7th in Milan, the 17th in Rome, the 19th in Turin, and the 20th in Bologna, and we’ll be there!
Thanks guys. (applause)
GIANLUCA= Thank you, thank you all.
We’re working on new things, new projects, aside from the various tours, and we’re really happy to be the bearers of bel canto.
Thank you for all the love you’ve shown us over the past 16 years, for those who have followed us from the beginning. Now we’re back on tour, we can’t wait to see you all. Thank you!
HOST= Thanks to you guys.
I had just finished the translation, when I saw on Facebook the entire translation of the video with English subtitles, posted by Il Volo American Fan Group (thanks Donalee) and so I’m attaching this too.
Before the event, Il Volo was briefly interviewed by Rai1 for the program LA VOLTA BUONA. (Thanks again to Il Volo American Fan Club for the subtitles.)
But that’s not all. This wonderful interview Il Volo did with Lilia Kablin of Brazilian television was also published in the same days.
(Turn on subtitles)
Two lovely chats with our beloved guys, always kind and with profound and appropriate words!
How sweet Ignazio is when he talks about his feelings for Gabriele.
And that’s all, but really for a very short time, because it’s been announced that on October 29th, the Canale 5 evening program THIS IS ME, hosted by the talented Silvia Toffanin, will also feature Il Volo, so see you very soon!!!
And here I am, listing our beloved trio’s latest events at the end of September.
The most notable event was undoubtedly the performance in Rome at the Vittoriano (Altar of the Fatherland) on the occasion of Saint Michael the Archangel, patron saint of the Italian State Police, September 29th.
The Vittoriano, or Altar of the Fatherland, is located in Rome and is an imposing national monument constructed of white marble. Its majestic appearance and central location in Piazza Venezia make it one of the symbols of Rome.
For those unfamiliar with the Vittoriano, or Altar of the Fatherland, it is a complex built between 1885 and 1935. It has represented the unity of the country since November 1923, when the body of the Unknown Soldier was buried in the heart of the Vittoriano.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located inside the Altar of the Fatherland (Vittoriano) and commemorates the Italian soldiers fallen and missing in action in the First World War. The body was chosen from eleven anonymous bodies and was buried on November 4, 1921 (Armed Forces Day in Italy). Since then, it has been guarded by soldiers, representing the symbol of all the nameless fallen.
In this splendid setting, Il Volo performed accompanied by the Police Band and in the presence of high-ranking government officials.
Il Volo sang three songs: Grande Amore O Sole Mio Nessun Dorma
Here is their performance. The presenter is Lorella Cuccarini, the charming showgirl who also hosted one of the concerts in Mantua.
LORELLA = I wanted to take you back 35 years, because 35 years ago, not far from here—I’m talking about the Baths of Caracalla—there was a concert, an evening event that has become iconic and has gone down in history: the Three Tenors concert.
Why do I say this? Because tonight we have the privilege of likely experiencing another moment that will leave its mark on history, because three artists take to this stage who, like the Three Tenors, come from an operatic background but have then chosen to intertwine it with popular music. They are three extraordinary voices, three artists who are the envy of the entire world. There’s only one name, but I’ll name three to introduce them all personally: Gianluca Ginoble Piero Barone Ignazio Boschetto a.k.a. Il Volo!
(applause—the performance begins with Grande Amore and O Sole Mio)
GIANLUCA = It’s truly an honor to be here with you this evening. A big round of applause for these wonderful musicians, the band, and the maestro, please. Thank you, thank you so much.
PIERO = The pieces we’re performing are pieces we’ve inherited, part of our cultural heritage, and belong to all of us. The next piece is perhaps the world-famous aria, written by composer Giacono Puccini, from Turandot: Nessun Dorma! (applause)
LORELLA = Phenomenal, Il Volo, my goodness, but I’ve already told you, how good you are, my goodness, thank you, thank you to all our teachers, thank you to Maestro Billi, you’ve truly given us something incredible.
Then you can use these, nothing happens. (She means they can use the microphones on the stand to speak too.)
PIERO = Do we have to talk?
LORELLA = Yes, you have to talk, can I let you speak for once?
IGNAZIO = Absolutely.
LORELLA = Because only if you sing.
IGNAZIO = In case we speak while singing, (he says a few words in a lyrical tone) Tell me… How? (laughter)
LORELLA = I wanted to thank you on behalf of the State Police because I know you’ve worked so hard to be here this evening. Tell us what your days are like and where you need to be in half an hour. (She’s referring to all the commitments that Il Volo has had over the past two days.)
PIERO = No, let’s not talk about it, they’re normal (always very discreet and don’t like to brag).
LORELLA = But at least the public will appreciate you being here (meaning it was difficult to be here due to commitments, but Il Volo is here).
IGNAZIO = Let’s just say we’ve been together for 16 years now, and we’re used to the hectic life, and we’re enjoying it, so it’s nice to always be on the move. But there’s always a great deal of affection for the State Police, and it’s a huge honor for us, It’s a pleasure to be able to collaborate and share music with these great professionals and people.
LORELLA = Have you ever been to this place?
GIANLUCA = No, never, in fact it’s a privilege to have these experiences at our age.
LORELLA = Isn’t it breathtaking? (From that level of the Vittoriano, it’s like being in a square with a view of the panorama of Rome, truly remarkable.)
GIANLUCA = These are indelible experiences that will remain in our memories. We hope it’s not the last time. We’re always here for you, and thank you for giving us this immense opportunity. (applause)
Maybe we’ll come back here with a concert of our own. We look forward to seeing you all.
LORELLA = Sure, the capacity isn’t great, but if you’re doing an event for television…
Speaking of the hectic life, I’d like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Ignazio, who recently became a father.
IGNAZIO = This joy, he has only one month!
LORELLA = Excuse me, I’m taking a moment with him (Ignazio), especially to see how he feels, how he’s doing, if he’s sleeping…
IGNAZIO = No, he doesn’t sleep, but I think many of you already know that, he doesn’t sleep, but all the sacrifices are worth it when he looks at you, smiles at you, we grow together…
LORELLA = You’re crushed…
IGNAZIO = I’m completely in love, I’m in love again, that’s it!
LORELLA = I’d like to know how these two uncles (Piero and Gianluca) behave? Gianluca?
GIANLUCA = I take him with me every now and then, then you’ll see.
LORELLA= You take him with you, should we be worried?
GIANLUCA= Yes, he (Ignazio) worries a little.
LORELLA = Why don’t you trust him?
IGNAZIO = No, not him.
LORELLA = You trust Piero more.
GIANLUCA = I’m more of a child than your son sometimes.
LORELLA = So wait a few years.
IGNAZIO = I’ll wait more than a few years.
LORELLA = Piero?
PIERO = But, maybe I was born to be an uncle, so I’m totally ready.
LORELLA = But are you ready to be nannies too?
PIERO = Can I say that? Then you should know that I think it’s right to be proud of our relationship, because singing and spending a professional life together for almost 17 years isn’t a given.
IGNAZIO = Be a team.
PIERO = And in today’s society, being a team isn’t very common. (applause)
LORELLA = I’d almost say become a family.
PIERO = Regardless of our achievements, our careers, we can say whatever we want, but what we’re most proud of is the maturity between us, the respect between the three of us, and that’s what we’ve tried to do since day one. Listening to each other, finding a compromise, and moving forward. This can’t be done just for our own interests, but because there’s respect, there’s love, and one thing … maybe it’s the first time we’ve said it, and I’m thrilled because the three of us, beyond being colleagues, love each other…
IGNAZIO = We love each other…
GIANLUCA = We love each other very much…
(In Italy, to love each other -AMARSI – is only understood as a couple, to love each other -VOLERSI BENE- is understood as great affection.)
LORELLA = Okay, we understood (that it’s about great affection).
PIERO = I rarely get emotional, but three weeks ago, when Ignazio’s son Gabriele was born, Ignazio asked me to be his son’s godfather, and so I think this is a “strong” gesture. It really touched me, and I also think it’s a message for young people in the individualistic world we live in.
I think sending this message of unity, strength, and teamwork… is like an orchestra; without a conductor, all these talented professionals couldn’t play together. So, I have so much hope in young people, in our peers. I’m no one to give advice, but let’s try to prove this with our actions.
LORELLA = You truly are a beautiful family, thank you again, best wishes for everything, for the future. Another huge round of applause for these phenomena: Il Volo.
IGNAZIO = Thank you, thank you all.
PIERO = Thank you.
LORELLA = Thank you guys!
GIANLUCA = Thanks, see you soon!
Il Volo also performed the Italian anthem: Fratelli d’Italia!
It must have been a truly remarkable event, in the presence of many dignitaries and from the top of the Vittoriano steps where you can see a beautiful panorama of Rome, as Gianluca sends us with these videos and photos.
Immediately afterward, Il Volo is expected at the “Sistine Corridors” for another event, the GLOBAL SUMMIT 2025 World Travel & Tourism Council.
But what are the “Sistine Corridors”? They are the oldest hospital wards in Europe.
The historic hospital wards commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV Della Rovere for the Jubilee of 1475 are within the ancient complex of Santo Spirito in Sassia (Rome).
Traditionally considered the largest and oldest hospital complex in Europe, with its eight centuries of history and over a thousand square meters of frescoes, they are just steps from St. Peter’s, within a fully operational hospital.
In practice they are long frescoed corridors, where the sick were hospitalized.
One of these lanes now hosts events, and it’s where Il Volo performed.
There are only a few photos of the evening, but it was a very important event on an international level.
And then immediately Il Volo in volo to Verona where they are expected for the memorial to Pavarotti.
September 30th, their arrival at the Arena for rehearsals.
And here, thanks to a video from music_freizeitparks_travel, is Il Volo’s performance.
The event, which featured numerous guests, was hosted by Michelle Hunziker. The evening was filmed by Rai1, but no one yet knows when it will be broadcast. In the meantime, enjoy this video where Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca sing “CAPOLAVORO” alongside three female opera singers, and then, alone but conducted by maestro Placido Domingo, “GRANADA.”
My goodness, so many important engagements in just a couple of days! Before the one in Rome for the Police, Il Volo had performed in Naples at the Hotel Excelsior Vittoria for a private event, of which we offer you this short video.
In short, Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca are highly sought after for high-profile events, certainly also because they embody, in addition to their splendid singing, sound principles. Congratulations again, guys; your efforts over these 16 years are bearing fruit.
But I want to conclude with a look at the family’s new “little one,” Gabriele, who was photographed out for a walk with his mother’s family.
This shot with mom Michelle is so sweet.❤️💙
And what about this sweet shot of Ignazio and Gabriele? ❤️💙
See you soon with the first concerts in South America!!
Once again, I feel compelled to make this publication due to the constant fake news about Il Volo that daily invades every type of social media.
I’ll start by offering you this article published in early September by TRIESTE NEWS newspaper (Trieste is the capital city of Friuli Venezia Giulia, a region in northern Italy).
He pretends to be Gianluca Ginoble from Il Volo, a disabled woman from Trieste, was defrauded.
The same topic was taken up by Radio-Roseto (Roseto degli Abruzzi, Gianluca’s hometown) which published this post which I’m translating for you.
Trieste: Pensioner defrauded online by a fake Gianluca Ginoble profile from Il Volo
A 60-year-old woman living in Trieste fell victim to an online scam orchestrated by a fake Facebook profile impersonating Gianluca Ginoble, a member of the famous band Il Volo. Paradoxically, the artist is known for his dedication to issues related to disability and the elderly.
Convinced that she had been in a virtual relationship with the singer since last March, the retired woman, who has a disability, was persuaded to make numerous top-ups on the “Steam” platform, totaling €2,280.
When she realized the scam, the woman filed a complaint with the Carabinieri station on Via dell’Istria, precisely reconstructing the details of the scam. Investigations are ongoing, and the judicial authorities have been informed.
The artist’s father (Ercole Ginoble) also intervened in the matter, reiterating his call to caution in a public post:
“Despite repeated warnings not to believe these impostors… they are all fake profiles!”
The news was reported by the online news outlet TRIESTE.news.
This incident refocuses attention on the phenomenon of online romance scams, which often target vulnerable individuals, exploiting the victims’ emotional involvement and the notoriety of public figures to defraud them of money.
So the poor woman was induced, like many other fans, to make deposits in cash or with prepaid cards, thinking she was chatting with the real Gianluca.😩🤬
And now I propose this video published on Tik-Tok by Alvise Salerno who is a speaker on Radio Number One (Italian radio), and which I translate for you.
Il Volo paying homage to Charlie Kirk (American conservative political activist) during a live performance?
Fake news, it never happened, but the posts went viral.
ALVISE = It’s necessary to make a video because something’s happening here on TikTok and also on Facebook, especially on these two social networks, regarding Il Volo.
We’re saying this right away because then people will scroll forward.(He means that he reported the news immediately so as not to have the reader scroll ahead looking for the topic.)
THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED, IL VOLO HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS STORY.
Basically, these people created an article that, among other things, leads to a site where viruses are spread. So don’t open this article if you happen to see it. I won’t even show it to you on the screen. But you should know that this article exists that says Il Volo participated in a concert commemorating Charlie Kirk and that during their performance they even stopped, lowered their heads, and gave a eulogy, something of that sort for Kirk himself.
I’m telling you this for a simple reason, aside from the fact that it never happened, because I’ve read thousands, oh boy, thousands of comments believing this bullshit!!
The guys from Il Volo have NEVER participated in any concert commemorating Charlie Kirk, the guys from Il Volo have NEVER sung a song for Charlie Kirk, the guys from Il Volo have NEVER stopped their performance by bowing their heads, as has been described, to pay homage to Kirk himself.
This thing is going around the world, and by the way, it didn’t even start in Italy. There were simply users who took this news, brought it back to Italy, in Italian, created videos, and those videos are getting thousands of likes and thousands of comments.
Boys and girls, NO, STOP!!
Thank you, Alvise, for raising this issue and for rightfully defending our guys.
Did you listen carefully to Alvise’s words? These people are waiting for your comments, your likes, which translate into money for them!!! 🤬🤬
That’s why I’m telling you not to like randomly, but to double-check the site the photos and videos come from.
Finally, I offer you this comment that was written under our article published on February 24, 2025.
Ludwig writes to us from France, his comment was made on September 3rd. and I’ll translate it for you:
“My mother is under the influence of Piero Barone’s fake profiles. She’s 74 years old and has already spent €5,000. We explained and showed her all the comments and evidence that they are scammers. She doesn’t give up, she says the real Piero is in love with her. We’re living in hell; we’re all lost: friends, children, grandchildren. She lied to us so we could advance her money, which went to her scammers. This has been going on since March 25. She wants to prove to us that he will come and that she won’t give up. Do you have any other testimonies? We’re in France. Sometimes I manage to take control of her Messenger and expose the scammers. Then I eliminate one of the henchmen, but 10 more appear.”
Ludwig, I’m so sorry about the scam your mother suffered. Please let her read this article and I hope she can be convinced. Piero would NEVER ask a fan for money.
And this is another article published byACIREALE SOCIAL(Acireale is a Sicilian town).
ONLINE SCAM ALERT: FAKE PROFILES OF PIERO BARONE USED TO DECEIVE MEMBERS
September 7
In recent days, the administrators of Acireale Social have detected a worrying increase in membership requests from profiles supposedly belonging to Italian singers, particularly Piero Barone of the trio Il Volo. These requests, which at first glance might seem harmless or even flattering, actually conceal a well-orchestrated attempt at digital fraud.
On August 24, our page published a photo of Piero Barone having lunch at a well-known restaurant in Acireale. The post attracted considerable interest among members, with numerous comments and shares. It’s plausible that scammers, noticing the attention it generated, decided to exploit the singer’s image to create fake profiles and attempt to virtually approach fans who had interacted with the content. These profiles, often well-constructed and accompanied by photos stolen from official social media, began contacting users directly, initiating private conversations with the aim of obtaining money.
This is not an isolated case. Piero Barone himself previously collaborated with the television show Le Iene to expose a scammer impersonating him, successfully getting an elderly woman to send him money, believing she was chatting with the real artist. The incident highlighted how easy it is for those with malicious intent to exploit the notoriety of public figures to manipulate people’s emotions and trust.
According to the Postal Police, cloning social media profiles is an increasingly widespread practice, especially in conjunction with public events, television appearances, or viral posts. Fake profiles tend to be recently created, with few friends, generic content, and a communication style designed to appear credible. They often offer investments, fundraisers, or ticket sales for non-existent events.
The administrators of Acireale Social urge all members to exercise extreme caution. It is essential not to accept suspicious requests, not to share personal information, and to immediately report any unusual behavior. Verifying the authenticity of a profile also involves checking the creation date, the consistency of posts, and the presence of verified official channels.
The administrators will continue to monitor the situation, but it is important that each user is aware of the risks and remains vigilant.
It is highly unlikely that a famous singer would decide to personally contact members of a local page to discuss local events.
And here is a video made by Ignazio in 2023 where he explaining about the fake profiles that are under his name and which ones are his and please do not message these people if they send you a Facebook message or even if they sent you a Facebook request because it’s not him. He does not have Facebook. The only account he has is his Instagram and it should have a blue check mark next to his name to verify that account is his legit one.
In recent days, after the news of Gabriele’s birth, fake photos of Ignazio with a baby in his arms have appeared on many pages.
Be wary, they are all fake!!! 🤬🤬
I hope that publishing this latest article on the subject of fakes will help many people clarify matters.
Our guys DON’T ASK FOR MONEY, THEY DON’T MAKE FRIENDS TO CHAT WITH FANS, everyone beware of these scams!!
Piero, Gianluca, and Ignazio are much loved individually and also as Il Volo, which is why there are many FAKE articles and FAKE profiles trying to attract your naive attention, playing on your affection for these three wonderful guys. So don’t accept friendships or send money from people who present themselves to you as the real Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble, or as Il Volo!!
And here I am with an update on the various events Il Volo participated in.
Let’s start with September 10th, when Fiorella Mannoia’s concert, held on June 3rd at the Baths of Caracalla, was broadcast on RAI1. I’ve already told you about this concert and attached the videos filmed at that moment, but now that it’s been broadcast on TV, I’m reposting the video of Fiorella and Il Volo’s moment.
On September 12th and 13th, the TIM MUSIC AWARDS took place live from the Verona Arena, where various awards are presented to outstanding singers.
On the evening of September 12th, Il Volo was also present, performing Cohen’s beautiful “Hallelujah” and then accepting the award for their “LIVE” worldwide tours. The event was broadcast live on RAI1.
The event was hosted by Carlo Conti and Vanessa Incontrada, and I’ll translate their words for you.
VANESSA= They’re always touring the world.
CONTI= They’re the most famous Italian trio, having captivated audiences on every continent for over 15 years, and tonight they’re giving us a song that’s primarily a hymn to peace.
By the way, I’m seeing a drone flying, transmitting images; those are the only drones we like to see (he’s referring to the incursion of five Russian drones into Polish territory, which were immediately shot down – applause).
And tonight their song is dedicated precisely to peace.
VANESSA = Exactly.
CONTI = And for you, it’s a chance to turn on all the lights on your phones.
VANESSA = Let’s all turn on the lights, more, more.
CONTI = A sign of peace, so that all the countries of the world can experience evenings like these, of music, joy, serenity, but above all, peace. With us, with Hallelujah:
VANESSA + CONTI = Il Volo!! (the song begins)
(The lyrics at the end of the song.)
CONTI = Il Volo.
VANESSA = At the TIM Music Awards, these three friends, amazing artists.
GIANLUCA = A round of applause also to Maestro Edmondo Savio and the orchestra of musicians, thanks to you too.
VANESSA = (hugs in greeting) Hi Ignazio, how are you?
CONTI = Thank you for this beautiful moment you gave us.
PIERO = Thank you.
CONTI = Here’s the award for you.
PIERO = How lovely!
VANESSA = (to Gianluca, to whom she gives the award) Hi, handsome boy!
GIANLUCA = (in Spanish) How are you, dear?
CONTI = (hands the award to Ignazio) Here you go for your tour.
I+G+P = Thank you, thank you.
VANESSA = So, you did a tour in the United States, some dates in Europe, and special concerts in Italy, right?
IGNAZIO = Yes, absolutely. Today was a bit of a demonstration of how music can be a bridge between different cultures, different ways of thinking, and the best thing about a tour is being able to meet different people, meet our fans, and still give people a feeling through music.
PIERO = This is a special evening because this is the first award Ignazio has received after becoming a dad. (applause)
VANESSA = It’s true! I didn’t want to pry into your private life, but… (as if to say he wanted to respect your privacy, but it’s great news)
CONTI = And you (Piero and Gianluca) are like uncles!!
CONTI = This fall, you’ll be starting your live concert tour in Latin America, then all of Europe, but most importantly, in December, you’ll be back in Italian arenas, back home.
VANESSA = Exactly!
PIERO = We’ll be back on tour in Italy, so we’re waiting for you, and thank you for the support and love you show us every day. Thank you!
VANESSA = Thank you, thank you for coming.
CONTI = And for this very important moment, thank you!
IGNAZIO = Love and respect each other, that’s all, thank you.
VANESSA+CONTI = Il Volo!!
G+I+P = Thank you, bye everyone!
What can I say? I don’t know if any of you had the chance to see the entire event, but 38 singers performed, receiving various awards, many rappers beloved by young people, often “over-the-top” figures heavily tattooed and sometimes scantily clad, and women performing in lingerie. In short, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca always bring a touch of elegance and refinement in addition to their talent. With their song, they highlighted something precious: PEACE, and their voices rose majestically above a sea of “summer hits” that often disappear.
Once again, Il Volo stood out and was appreciated!
On September 13th, the 19th edition of GRACE FOR THE WORLD, conceived by Andrea Bocelli and Pharrell Williams, took place in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. The event was broadcast live on RETE4.
Among the various artists, Il Volo was also present (in addition to Bocelli, the only Italians).
It was a spectacular evening with St. Peter’s Square as a magnificent backdrop and a series of drones in the sky creating beautiful patterns.
During the evening, beautiful words of brotherhood and peace, testimonials and artists from all over the world, a magnificent choir and orchestra, and a truly unique atmosphere.
Piero Ignazio and Gianluca performed towards the end of the event with a splendid MAGNIFICAT, which we had already heard at the Jubilee of Youth, a truly solemn moment!
I also wanted to point out that before all the events I’ve just listed, Il Volo had two private events, one apparently in Greece and one in Milan.
We learned about the second one through a publication by the Franciacorta Orchestra, which follows Il Volo. They published this post, of which I’m translating a portion.
“An evening that will remain etched in our hearts ✨
Last night we had the honor and pleasure of participating in a truly unique private event, hosted in the prestigious setting of Superstudio Events in Milan. A special, elegant, and refined occasion that allowed us to experience and share unforgettable moments.
On stage, joining us, were the talented Il Volo, who conveyed authentic emotions with their music and extraordinary voices. The magical encounter between an orchestra and three internationally renowned artists created a vibrant atmosphere, combining tradition, style, and contemporary energy.”
The update is over for now. It’s been a very intense few days of television, where we saw Ignazio, Piero, and Gianluca in top form. Now they’re back at the end of September for the memorial in honor of Pavarotti.
See you soon: Daniela 🤗
…and may there be peace throughout the world….🕊️❤️
Credit to owners of all photos and videos.
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
