At the Detroit concert there were several Flight Crew fans and also our administrator, Jana, whose beautiful review of the concert you read, then there were RoseMarie Paliobes and Mark and Mary Minton.
The Mintons sent us their lovely commentary and photos:
“Hi Daniela, we’re in Detroit, and last night we went to the Il Volo concert! It was wonderful, as always. I didn’t take many videos or photos because I had a rather large man sitting a couple of rows in front of me who would have been in every shot. We also attended the soundcheck and the meet and greet after the show. They changed up the show a bit, opening with “O Sole Mio.” The first half of the concert was entirely dedicated to Italian classics—including “Granada”—while the second half was mostly in English. A truly fantastic mix of songs. We also have tickets to see them in Boston and Connecticut in November. Hugs to everyone! Mary.”
Thanks Mary and Mark, it must have been a lovely evening!!
And now enjoy this fun interview, recorded in Bologna before leaving for the U.S. East Coast tour, and conducted by San Marino RTV (remember, San Marino is a small state within Italy) in anticipation of Eurovision.
The interview is conducted in English and Italian (turn on subtitles to understand Italian).
It begins with a nice overview of Bologna.
I’m always happy to read comments from people who’ve never heard Il Volo before.
This was written by photographer David Warren Clements, who attended one of their concerts for the first time. Below are some of his photos.
“We journeyed to way south of town to photograph a group that until recently I had not heard of….I love the fact that there is so many different types of music….pretty amazing the diversity of appealing sound.
These three gents, Gianluca Ginoble, Piero Barone & Ignazio Boschetto call themselves Il Volo.”
And finally, this nice review done by HIVE MAGAZINE right after the Dallas concert.
REVIEW:We went to see Il Volo at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas, Texas!
The recent performance by Il Volo at the Winspear Opera House was an evening that blended classical elegance with contemporary charm, leaving the Dallas audience both awed and energized. Known for their powerful operatic pop style, the trio Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble demonstrated once again why they continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
From the moment the lights dimmed, the atmosphere in the room shifted into something almost reverential. The venue provided the perfect backdrop for Il Volo’s soaring harmonies. Opening with a dramatic number that showcased their vocal range, the trio immediately established control over the room. Their voices distinct yet seamlessly blended filled every corner of the hall, drawing listeners into a rich emotional landscape.
The setlist moved fluidly between Italian classics, operatic arias, and modern reinterpretations of popular songs. Highlights included their renditions of ‘Nessun Dorma’ and ‘Grande Amore,’ both delivered with technical precision and emotional depth. Each member had moments to shine individually, but it was in their harmonized passages that the true magic of Il Volo emerged. Their ability to balance power with nuance is a testament to years of training and performance experience.
What made the evening particularly engaging was the trio’s rapport with the audience. Between songs, they shared anecdotes, jokes, and reflections, creating a sense of intimacy despite the grandeur of the setting. Their charm felt genuine, never forced, and it helped bridge the gap between classical performance and modern entertainment.
One of the most striking aspects of the concert was how Il Volo managed to be both serious and fun at the same time. Their musical approach is undeniably rooted in discipline and tradition with every note carefully controlled, every phrase thoughtfully delivered. Yet, they infused the performance with a playful energy that kept the evening from feeling overly formal. Whether it was a lighthearted exchange between the members or a spontaneous moment of audience interaction, they showed that even the most refined music can be accessible and enjoyable. This balance allowed them to honor the integrity of the pieces while still inviting the audience to relax and be entertained.
The orchestral accompaniment further elevated the performance, providing a lush, cinematic quality that complemented the trio’s vocals. The synergy between the singers and musicians was evident, particularly in the more dynamic pieces where timing and coordination were crucial.
By the final encore, the audience was on its feet, responding with a standing ovation that felt both earned and inevitable. Il Volo’s performance at the Winspear Opera House was a demonstration of how classical music can evolve without losing its soul. For both longtime fans and newcomers, the evening served as a reminder of the enduring power of the human voice when paired with passion, skill, and a touch of charisma.
And the U.S. West Coast and Midwest tour is over!
There’s a lot of satisfaction and fulfillment, the fans are happy, and everything went well.
Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca have returned home to Italy, for a little rest.
The tour progresses quickly, interspersed with many interesting interviews.
The next state was Texas, where there were two concerts.
April 25th SUGAR LAND
The concert was at the Smart Financial Centre.
Before we get to the concert, I want to remind you that April 25, 2009, was the first time Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca sang together, exactly 17 years ago!!!
Happy Anniversary, guys! You’ve come a long way, and you’ll go a long way yet!🎉❤️🎉❤️🎉❤️
The concert featured the talented singer Maura Nava, whom we have already seen in other performances with Il Volo, together they sang the beautiful:
E PIÙ TI PENSO
At the first evening in Texas, our dear friend Deborah Georgini Beaupre was present and these are some of her testimonies, thank you Deborah! 😘
“At the end of the sound check, when they were saying see you tonight, I called out “Buon anniversario! Diciassette anni oggi!” ….and Piero immediately got excited, smiled and said…”Oh yes, that’s right! It is today and started talking to us about it! So here is the short video during the Concert about their anniversary!❤️❤️❤️”
Here we have the Musical Medley performance with four songs starting with Gianluca Ginoble singing “The Music of the Night”, Piero Barone singing “Love Story (Where do I Begin)”, Ignazio Boschetto singing “Tonight” and all three great voices singing “Don’t Cry for me Argentina”.
“My M&G photos and some photos I took. Until next time, whenever that may be! The concert was wonderful, the guys fantastic!!
A hug to all the fans: Deborah”🥰🥰
What can I say Deborah, “grazie mille” for the wonderful report on the concert and also for the beautiful videos and photos, you were fantastic, thank you so much!!😘
April 26 DALLAS
The concert was at the Winspear Opera House.
CIELITO LINDO
LIBIAM DE LIETI CALICI
SE
E PIÙ TI PENSO with Maura Nava
And finally, another nice and funny interview by USA TODAY Entertainment, preceded by a nice video with Ralphie Aversa.
Il Volo on advice from Andrea Bocelli. Why Pope Leo is their favorite.
NEW YORK– When the three singers of Il Volo left Italy for the United States to sign a record deal, it was the first time any of the then-teenagers had visited the country. It was 2009, and the trio signed with Geffen Records. At the time, Geffen and its sister labels housed the likes of 50 Cent, Eminem, Maroon 5 and the Black Eyed Peas, and those groups topped charts with hip-hop, pop and dance songs.
Still, Il Volo stuck to its goal of bringing bel canto (beautiful singing) to a global audience and they never considered the idea that they could potentially switch genres.
“We don’t want to be a copy of someone who does it better than us,” Gianluca Ginoble, 31, tells USA TODAY alongside his groupmates Piero Barone, 32, and Ignazio Boschetto, 31. “We are operatic pop singers. It’s like asking the Black Eyed Peas to sing ‘Nessun dorma.’“
The reference is an aria from the final act of the Italian opera “Turandot.” The solo song has been used in a number of films and it was performed by Andrea Bocelli at the opening ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. The trio says they have a “great” relationship with the Italian tenor, who they all count as an inspiration.
And yes, Bocelli has even offered the three younger vocalists some advice on what to do both on and off stage.
“The best advice he gave us? Eat the pasta, but with the ancient grains,” Barone reveals as the guys laugh. Ancient grain pasta is an alternative to modern wheat and can be easier to digest. “If you eat the pasta with ancient grains, you are not going to suffer with jet lag, you’re not going to suffer before a concert. Since I personally ate ancient grain pasta, my life changed completely.”
Il Volo on touring the U.S. and meeting Pope Leo XIV
Il Volo is in the middle of a spring tour in the U.S. that runs until May 2. The operatic pop trio revealed exclusively to USA TODAY that they’ll return to North America this fall for additional dates on their world tour. The eight-city trek kicks off Nov. 10 in Hollywood, Florida, and wraps Nov. 21 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
However, Il Volo jokes that while in the U.S., the group may not be looking to find the best restaurants that serve ancient grain pasta.
“Bring me to something typical here, right?” Boschetto says. “When you come to Italy, I’m not going to tell you, ‘Let’s do a beautiful barbecue,’ because (Americans) are better than us at that.”
The trio has a few more food hot takes up their sleeves: no pineapple on pizza and “shorter” (smaller) coffees. But as for performing on stage, Ginoble says the group is “really happy to be back on tour” and will be backed by a “big orchestra.”
In between their strings of dates in North America, Il Volo will play a number of shows back in Italy this summer. In August 2025, the group performed in Rome for Pope Leo XIV during the Catholic Jubilee celebration. Barone remembers a cardinal introducing the group to Pope Leo before their performance.
“‘Oh, I know them. I’ve listened since 15 years ago to your music,’” Barone recalls the pope saying as he shook their hands. “He’s my favorite.”
I’d say the Texas leg also went very well. A few more days and they’ll be ready for the final three concerts.
What about Maestro Grani, who, as you’ve seen, conducts all the concerts?
Congratulations, Maestro! Our guys can rest easy with you!
The concerts begin in Colorado, then California, then Texas, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois.
What about the new series of songs?
Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca have chosen a more classical program, with several operatic romances and bel canto. They are chameleonic and can afford to range from classical to pop!
April 15 Denver, Colorado
The concert was in Boettcher Concert Hall.
The guys at the gym before the concert!
ECSTASY OF GOLD
CHAT
IL MONDO
ADDIO FIORITO ASIL(Ignazio’s solo from Madama Butterfly)
This interview with FOX31+ DENVER is beautiful and funny.
APRIL 17 CALIFORNIA
The concert was in SAN JOSÉ at the San José Civic Center.
IL Volo was interviewed with a series of questions and answers by Classic Divinity, here is what was published.
#Repost @classic.divinity
Q&A with Il Volo – Pt. 1
We are truly honoured to have had the privilege of partnering with the world-renowned trio Il Volo (@IlVoloMusic) for a special Q&A session in anticipation of their upcoming North American tour.
It was an exceptional opportunity to engage with such remarkable artists and to share their insights, stories, and passion with all of you. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who took the time to participate and contribute thoughtful questions. Your enthusiasm helped make this experience all the more meaningful.
With appreciation, Aaron Isaiah Liu Founder & CEO, Classic Divinity
All the years I’ve followed Il Volo, I’ve never heard them perform where I live in Denver, Colorado. I’ve gone as far as Taormina, Sicily, and Lecce, Italia and stateside in NY and NJ, to hear them, but they have not come here. If I’m not mistaken, I think they have not performed here since March 2016, when they played the Paramount Theater, near the 16th Street Mall. That’s back when they looked like little boys, Piero didn’t tuck his shirt in, he was still wearing those very red eyeglasses, Gian wore his hair sticking way up, and the group didn’t book a very large venue. This time they used the Boettcher Concert Hall.
2011 to 2016 era: Mamma mia, quanto erano giovani! (Wow, how young they were!)
Il Volo in volo (Il Volo in Flight)
I’ve read the horror-stories/rumors on various web pages about Il Volo landing in Denver years ago in a snowstorm, having problems breathing at mile high altitude, and having Piero’s wheeled case full of eyeglasses get lost at our DIA airport. I have no idea if any of it is true or not. [By the way, Piero explained on Denver Fox 31 a few days ago that singing is Denver is no problem after singing in places like Mexico City or Bogota. “Just run 5 kilometers and you’re fine.”] However, after years of using Denver’s airports (old and new), I’m not particularly surprised about lost luggage. On stage this week, Ignazio added a Piero story to the DIA narrative. Igna says he doesn’t mind traveling on their big tour bus, because he gets a kitchen to himself. He says he’s a good “cooker”. He explained that during one tour season, when he and Gian were traveling by bus from the previous show to a Las Vegas show, “Prince Piero” chose to fly. They didn’t mention whether something happened with his volo (flight) or collegamenti (connections) or our strange weather, but he promptly got himself stuck in Denver. Piero protested it was still better to sleep in a hotel room than a bus bunk.
There were lots of rumors running around the auditorium lobby, including:
Piero got married.
All three guys are married.
Gianluca’s been divorced.
A group of concertgoers knew someone in Colorado Springs who claims she talks on the phone daily to all three guys to help them with their English.
I have no patience for that kind of stuff. In any case, I’m glad the guys started the US leg of the 2026 tour in the Mile-High City. Denver’s Boettcher Concert Hall, designed for opera and classical programs, has wonderful sound. It’s also shaped in the round, so most seats are close to the stage.
Although I’ve been to many Il Volo concerts, I’ve never been to a Meet and Greet, so I finally bought a VIP ticket that included Meet and Greet, along with the pre-show soundcheck. Soundcheck was cancelled, and like the cancellation in New York, I got different reasons from different people. The fan page standard text message always says cancellation was due to the venue. The Meet and Greet photographer/director, John shown here, said the guys were still working out this season’s new program and wanted rehearsal time without interruptions. That made sense.
John (more about him later)
On to the Boettcher Hall
It’s amazing how far people come to hear Il Volo live. Even though the Boettcher Hall (sadly) was not full, some people had come as much as 1,000 miles to this concert. The first person waiting at the entrance was Mary Ann Weaver, shown here, who had driven all the way from Shelby, Montana, had gone through major difficulties getting the right ticket, and ended up attending alone. She had photo gifts for the guys and a special one for Gianluca.
The next one I walked up to, Candice Wood, came all the way from Portland, Oregon. I thought she might have come the farthest. David and Sigifredo came from Albuquerque, NM. Like me, they had tried to attend the concert in Las Vegas at the start of COVID in 2020. Unlike me, they found out the concert was cancelled before they travelled. They’ve been waiting for a show in the mountain states ever since. I was hoping Il Volo would do some songs in Español for them.
Joice Dougherty, a long-time fan shown here, flew from Phoenix and drove with her daughter from Colorado Springs. Joice, a paesana Siciliana née Venuti, had one daughter with her and another daughter riding horses on the beach at Taormina, Sicily as we spoke. I’m so jealous and homesick for that place!
Molte Surprese (Many Surprises)
I waited to see Giampiero Grani seat himself at the piano just before the guys came out. However, there was a new young pianist on the bench. To my surprise, Giampiero walked across the stage and stood in the maestro/conductor spot. It was wonderful to see him with the baton in hand. Il Volo started by describing their respect and trust for him in that new role.
As always, an Il Volo concert has splendidly powerful young men’s voices, and uplifting, polished instrumental musicianship. Yet this one was different – more mature, more classical, more themed. This time it was also much more serious: not much scherzi e buffonate (joking and horseplay). Piero explained they have changed because they are always pushing themselves to improve. As Ignazio explained, you should “Never finish to study.” Some changes:
No appliquéd suit jackets or sparkle shoes.
It was the first time I’ve heard them perform Granada, the Great Caruso, or Funiculi, Funicula live, although many of you have. Since we were in the Spanish-speaking downtown of Denver I was happy they sang Granada but I had hoped for Cielito Lindo, too. Someone else was yelling for El Triste.
In honor of being in the American west, they added an aria from Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West (that one is sort of a spaghetti western opera style).
They added a medley of American classical/show melodies and no pop songs.
They did many more of my favorites, Mattinata, Libiamo ne’ Liete Calici from La Traviata, Nessun Dorma, along with some they’ve done for two or three seasons now, La Donna è Mobile from Rigoletto and Ennio Morricone’s Se from Cinema Paradiso.
When they did an old stand-by like “My Way”, Ignazio wanted it to be a sing-along.
Although Igna and Piero each did Puccini solos, Gianluca didn’t do a full solo. People more observant than me commented that it looked like he wasn’t feeling well and hurried off the stage at least once.
Many of the arrangements were shortened, but that may have been in deference to Gianluca. These guys pour out everything they have, and give a high energy performance every show, so it’s not surprising if any one of them wears themselves out or gets sick on occasion. I forgot what song it was on, but I did notice that Gian took his breath for his last high note, couldn’t do it, quickly rephrased, and skipped the sustain. It sounded fine (not flat) but, clearly, he was struggling with something, poverino (poor thing). When he spoke to me later, he seemed to be doing better.
As always, Ignazio introduced Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah as a prayer in honor of the many loved ones who over the recent years no longer stand alive next to them (Barbara Vitali, Igna’s father, and some Il Volo grandparents), reminding the audience we could share in the prayer to honor our own lost loved ones. I always like it when he introduces it that way.
They do have at least one new battuta (joke). Piero reminds the audience that Ignazio is now a father. Then he adds, “The best things about his son, is that he has the best uncles.” Ignazio cracks back, “Yes, because they’re rich.” I don’t know if that means Uncle Piero and Uncle Gianluca have been spoiling baby Gabriele with expensive giocattoli e regali (toys and gifts). Maybe or maybe not. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard Igna tease Piero for being rich.
Dopo (Afterwards)
I had been forewarned by Flight Crew staff and other fans what a Meet and Greet is like. John, the photographer and Meet and Greet director, explained that the guys had just performed for 2 hours, they had to travel early the next morning, they don’t want to get infected with anything, etc. Predictably, he planned to run a brief waiting line followed by a rush through. The rules were: no hugging or kissing (germs), no grabbing or handling, no long conversations, just a hello, a quick handshake, a picture, and move on. Well, it didn’t go exactly like that, but it wasn’t my fault.
To save time, as I walked up, I told the guys in Italian that despite writing for Flight Crew for some years, I had never met them, and this was my first Meet and Greet. Ignazio asked in Italian where my family was from, and when he heard Regione di Palermo, he started telling me in Sicilian all about having some relatives there. (Didn’t he know there’s no chiacchiere (chitchat) allowed!)
Il mio paesano (my paesano)
Piero reached over to tap me politely, also acknowledging that we were paesani (countrymen). (Didn’t he know there’s no touching allowed!)
Il mio altro paesano (my other paesano)
I was going to kid Gianluca, but he beat me to it. I was going to tell him (in Italian) “Don’t make fun of me for being so short. It makes everybody who stands next to me look tall, except Ignazio, who is already tall enough.” I never said it. Instead, Gian still had my hand and arm while he shook his head and started telling me how he notices that conversations with Igna and Piero always seem to switch from the guest being Italian to being Sicilian and always default to Sicilian dialect. He told me, “I’m amazed how all of you [Sicilians] slide automatically from Italian to ‘Siciliana sugno,’ like you just did. It happens every time.” (Didn’t Gianluca know he was making more chiacchiere that’s not allowed!)
Apparently, there are not that many Abruzzezi-Americani who switch the conversation to Gianluca’s dialect for him. If you are an Abruzzeso-Americano at a Meet and Greet at one of their American shows, please speak in your dialect to Gianluca. He’d appreciate it. (Even though there’s no chiacchiere allowed!)
I was facing the guys while they were still talking to me. At some point Ignazio spun me around to face the camera and get the pictures done. He could see over my shoulder that John, the photographer, was losing patience with the chiacchiere and was about to complain. But it was Igna’s fault. He started it.
So, if at another Il Volo concert you get to attend a “Meet and Greet”, and the photographer gets even stricter with the rules, don’t blame me.
Il Volo adds 2026 tour dates, bringing operatic pop to more cities – Exclusive
The Italian operatic pop trio Il Volo will be figuratively running it back in North America and for two of the members, literally running back through the States this fall. USA TODAY can exclusively reveal the group of Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble will extend their world tour with additional North American dates. The eight-city trek kicks off Nov. 10 in Hollywood, Florida and wraps Nov. 21 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Tickets go on sale April 17 at 10 a.m. ET on the group’s website. The announcement comes as Il Volo prepares for its spring trek in the States, which runs April 15 through May 2.
For Barone, 32, and Ginoble, 31, that will mean another chance to lace up their running shoes and explore. The singers reveal over a recent Zoom interview with USA TODAY that when they visit New York, a Central Park run is a must. The trio will play the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden Nov. 17, so hopefully they pack their cold-weather gear. Barone ran the TCS New York City Marathon in 2023 and calls it “the best experience of my life.”
“We are used to emotional feelings on stage,” Barone says, noting it’s a privilege to have that experience with their audience. “But the feelings of the marathon, it’s something that I suggest to all my closest friends because it’s something you will never forget in your life.”
You could call Il Volo’s journey a marathon in its own right, although the group’s name translates to “the flight.” The singers met as teenagers in 2009 while competing on the Italian TV show “Ti Lascio una Canzone” (“Leavin’ You a Song” in English). They signed to Geffen Records shortly after and released their self-titled debut album internationally in 2011.
In 2015, the trio represented Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest, placing third but earned the top vote from both the accredited press at the event and the telephone fan vote. Since inception, the group has toured every continent and racked up hundreds of millions of Spotify streams.
As far as the extended North American tour, Boschetto, 31, teases that the group “loves Christmas,” and with the additional dates near the holidays, that will change the setlist.
“Most of our repertoire is inspired by The Three Tenors,” Ginoble adds, referencing the trio of Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and José Carreras. “So that’s our goal, especially in the States and all around the world, to keep bringing bel canto (beautiful singing) to those people who used to listen to it and lived ‘The Three Tenors’ and (Andrea) Bocelli, but of course to the new generation.”
Yesterday, April 9th, Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero were with you and will participated in the Today Show!!
They sang the theme song from The Gladiator – Nelle Tue Mani.✨ What a powerful performance it was! 🎤🎵🎶
Here’s the Today Show video.
Furthermore, for the last episode of the program SUPERNOVA hosted by Alessandro Cattelan, a funny interview was aired, recorded before the departure of the South American tour. (Turn on subtitles.)
And finally….
Before the World Tour kicked off, I told you that several articles had been written announcing the tour. I’ve already shared some of them with you, but there was one that really caught my attention. I told you I’d translate it later because it deserved the attention for the depth of the words reported. It was written by Progetto Radici.
Radici (with its website Progetto Radici.it), “The newspaper of Italians from around the world,” is an independent newspaper founded in 2018, which offers daily in-depth journalistic columns on cultural events affecting Italy and Italian communities around the world.
Il Volo World Tour 2026: Italian music around the world
Il Volo on a world tour: the Italian voice that crosses continents
Il Volo World Tour 2026: a journey through community and roots
Italian music continues to speak to the world through one of the most recognizable bands of recent years. Il Volo’s 2026 World Tour will kick off outside Italy, with an international schedule that will visit Latin America, the United States, and Europe before focusing on Italy.
This is no coincidence: starting abroad means immediately encountering Italian communities living far from the peninsula, transforming every concert into a moment of collective belonging. Not just musical performances, but true cultural gatherings where language, emotion, and shared memory take center stage.
March 2026 will see the trio perform in Latin America, an area with a historically strong presence of Italians and their descendants.
Here, the concert takes on a value that goes beyond music: it’s a call to one’s origins, a way to feel close to one’s homeland through songs.
Each stop represents a different story of Italian emigration, made up of generations who have kept alive the bond with their culture of origin.
United States: A Meeting of Tradition and New Generations
In April and early May 2026, the tour will continue in the United States, another key territory for Italy’s global presence. The audience here will consist not only of long-time emigrants, but also of young professionals, students, and second-generation Italians who often rediscover the Italian language and music through artists like Il Volo.
In these cities, the concert often becomes a family event, where several generations meet under the same melodies.
Europe: Summer 2026 and a Look to 2027
After the American leg, the tour will arrive in Europe. A highly anticipated summer date has already been confirmed:
These European stops strengthen the bond with the Italian communities living on the continent, offering a meeting opportunity that combines language, music, and a sense of belonging.
Beyond Music: Identity and Cultural Continuity
Il Volo’s 2026 World Tour confirms how Italian music continues to play a central role in the lives of Italians abroad. Each concert becomes a small, symbolic return home, a moment when geographical distance and cultural differences fade.
It’s not just a show: it’s a collective celebration of identity, memory, and continuity. Different stories meet in the audience, yet united by the same musical language, capable of crossing borders and generations without losing its essence.
How exciting to see the November dates released!!!
The tour is definitely turning into a long journey around the world!!
Please don’t buy tickets from unofficial sites, and don’t be fooled by the sweet talk of fake Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca.
See you soon: Daniela 🤗
Credit to owners of all photos and videos.
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
