As we previously announced, the Bologna-based daily newspaper IL RESTO DEL CARLINO celebrated its 140th anniversary and, to mark the occasion, organized events involving the newspaper and prominent figures. Today, Il Volo is ready to delve into the daily life of an important newspaper.
Editors for a day, Il Volo leads Qn-Carlino: “We’re looking to the younger generation.”
Gianluca Ginoble, Ignazio Boschetto, and Piero Barone for Il Carlino’s 140th anniversary. A journey through the news factory, from the paper reels to the editorial office.
(In the photo, Il Volo with the gift dedicated to Barbara Vitali. In the photo, Barbara and the writing “THANK YOU BARBARA”.)
Bologna, January 21, 2026 –
The three talents of Il Volo radiated genuine curiosity and a desire to learn and understand the world of print. Gianluca Ginoble, Ignazio Boschetto, and Piero Barone were guests at the Qn-Il Resto del Carlino headquarters yesterday, taking on the unique role of editors for a day. After their first steps through the building’s corridors, where reproductions of the newspaper’s front pages hang on the walls, the three artists took part in the morning editorial meeting.
“The true heritage we can nurture with passion and dedication, the true legacy we can leave for future generations, is to protect and safeguard Made in Italy: this term encompasses so much.Bel canto, in our case, but also fashion and everything that is most grand, deeply rooted, and noble in Italy and our history. This is what matters to us: protecting the authenticity of the country we bring around the world.”
“We,”the three added, “want to bring Italian bel canto to the stages where we perform, wherever we are. Because it’s an art form that must be passed down and protected. And this concept doesn’t just apply to music. For example, there’s been a lot of talk in the newspapers these days about the death of an icon of Italian fashion, Valentino Garavani (The famous designer Valentino died a few days ago). Well, we think it could be interesting to see how Valentino’s fashion, which brought Italy to the runways of every continent, has influenced trends. Therefore, how much Made in Italy has made its way, but also how much it has brought to Italy itself in terms of economic growth. These are the true legacies that would be interesting to talk about. Not about how much money someone has left as a legacy to who knows who, but how much that Italian personality has influenced and set an example, or even shaped the history, in part, of our beautiful country.”
Barone, echoed by Boschetto and Ginoble, then focused on the younger generations. “We’re a little afraid of misinformation,” they said. “We’d really like to see more and more young people interested in the news, in what’s happening, in current events. How rare is it to see young people flipping through a newspaper? It would be wonderful to be able to study the method, the ‘recipe’, for getting information to young people, to ensure they’re passionate about this world of information. Attending an editorial meeting shows us a lot: everyone has their say, everyone listens, and then, together, we work, as a true team, to find the best solution and create, every day, a good editorial product. One goal: to give the reader the truth.”
The morning continued with a vodcast in which Valerio Baroncini, deputy editor of Il Carlino, read fan questions to the three stars, and a tour of the printing presses. Il Volo received a gift of the commemorative book for Il Carlino’s 140th anniversary and two plates commemorating two key moments in their lives and careers: their victory at Sanremo in 2015 and the page dedicated to their longtime collaborator, Barbara Vitali, who died in an accident in July 2024 and is never forgotten.
IL RESTO DEL CARLINOwrites again:
Gianluca Ginoble, Ignazio Boschetto, and Piero Barone shed their global star personas to immerse themselves in the heart of our editorial office, amidst the presses and journalists’ meetings.
With genuine curiosity, the three artists from Il Volo launched a message of love for our country’s roots: “The true heritage to be protected and safeguarded is Made in Italy,” they explained, emphasizing how Italian excellence—from bel canto to the fashion of icons like Valentino Garavani—is the most noble and authentic image they carry around the world.
But the three “editors” also looked beyond the stage, focusing with concern on the new generations and the risk of misinformation.
“It would be wonderful to find the recipe to get young people passionate about current events and reading newspapers,” they commented, admiring the editorial team’s teamwork aimed at always offering readers the truth.
The day ended with a deeply emotional moment: the presentation of two commemorative plaques to celebrate the victory at Sanremo 2015 and to remember the unforgettable collaborator Barbara Vitali.
This beautiful photo taken in the corridors of the newspaper, the masthead announces the death of Giuseppe Verdi which occurred on January 27, 1901.
PIERO = Bologna is a city that allows you to be yourself. It has a unique way of welcoming people who weren’t born in Bologna. For me, it’s not a city I came to live in; I feel it’s my city.
IL VOLO IS DIRECTOR FOR A DAY
Today, the Carlino editorial staff hosted Gianluca Piero and Ignazio from Il Volo, who enjoyed the experience of being directors for a day.
They were warmly welcomed by the newspaper, which honored them with special gifts to celebrate this unprecedented collaboration between music and information.
The highlight was their participation in the editorial meeting: the three artists got to know the craft.
Talking with journalists, they shared opinions and ideas on news selection: a total immersion in the life of the newspaper.
QUESTION = What newspaper would you like? What would you like to read?
PIERO = To understand the importance of reading a newspaper. I believe there’s misinformation today, many people, especially young people, aren’t used to reading the newspaper. In fact, it’s a novelty to see a young person reading the newspaper. Attending this meeting today is like watching a team effort, a soccer team, a group. It’s important to see how each of you shares and listens to the words of others.
IGNAZIO = What’s worrying is that today we only hear news of divisions between human, political, and marital relationships.
What are we leaving to the next generation? The real question I ask myself when speaking about Italy is: will the authenticity of Italy be lost with the next generations? Will Bel Canto, in this case, be lost? Will Italian fashion be lost? Will a certain “healthy” politics be lost? I worry about seeing my son’s life reshaped when I’m gone or when he has to fend for himself. What will happen?
GIANLUCA = I’m also fascinated by the profession of journalism because, in reality, the search for truth is a lifelong mission. You also bring your sensitivity into play, the way you see the world based on the culture and society in which we grew up, in a country like Italy, which is extremely Catholic, where sometimes, to truly search for the truth, you have to free yourself from these superstructures, and it’s a job that perhaps takes a lifetime.
What I try to do is search for the truth, as perhaps IL RESTO DEL CARLINO can do, trying to be neutral, but offering an influence that aims to foster dialogue.
I’d say, as always, it was a beautiful, productive, and unique day for Piero, Gianluca, and Ignazio, who were able to immerse themselves in the evolution of an article, from its inception to publication.
As always, our guys were very attentive to everything that’s happening, and they offered very knowledgeable opinions.
It was a lovely visit, during which they also read the questions submitted by fans, but we don’t know anything about them yet, and we hope to hear about them soon.
During this period of no concerts, I promised you translations of articles or interviews worthy of translation.
I admit, I missed this wonderful interview, but here I am again to share it with you. It was published in November 2025 in a music magazine: MUSICA INTORNO by Gino Morabito.
Nine studio albums and four live recordings, totaling twenty million copies sold, a Sanremo Festival win in 2015 with “Grande amore,” and a third-place finish at the Eurovision Song Contest. Amid applause and standing ovations, Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble share their story after sixteen years of success. An extraordinary story of talent, passion, and friendship for three young men who took… Il Volo.
Directly from the stage of the Tim Music Awards, the announcement of the return of “Live nei palasport 2026” (produced by Friends & Partners) for five new dates in Italy’s leading arenas. The trio will kick off on December 7, 2026, at the Unipol Forum in Milan and continue on December 12 at the Nelson Mandela Forum in Florence, on December 17 at the Palazzo dello Sport in Rome, on December 19 at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, and will conclude the tour on December 20 at the Unipol Arena in Bologna.
Before these dates, their incredible voices will be the protagonists of “Live in Concert,” a tour that, until December 2025, will touch the main European capitals and Latin America, confirming their status as ambassadors of Italian music around the world.
Ambassadors of bel canto, not with presumption but with great pride.
“The pride of touring our musical and, above all, cultural heritage, to recount the magnificence of those places that are envied around the world.”
As Jim Morrison said, “Don’t settle for the horizon, seek infinity.”
“The goal is to reach an ever-wider audience, continuing to build a special bond with our fans. We can’t wait to get on stage and experience more unique and exciting emotions with them.”
The setlist presents a perfect blend of tradition and innovation that highlights the individual personalities of the three artists. There are also songs from their first album of original songs, “Ad Astra,” including the Sanremo song “Capolavoro,” and their latest single, “Tra le onde.” But also many other hits from their fan-favorite repertoire.
“There’s truly something for everyone! We will embrace our friends from across the border, putting into each performance the same energy and passion that has accompanied us in every concert.”
On stage, the celebration of sixteen years of their career together. A milestone that fills us with pride and gratitude and that, in fact, confirms the deep bond between three child prodigies who, as they grew up, became that magnificent star lighting up the international firmament. In the media-driven age of individualism, it might sound anachronistic, but unity is strength.
“We’ve known each other since we were children, and although each of us has a different personality, there’s a special bond that unites us. This bond allows us to face any challenge together, to support each other in difficult times, and to celebrate successes as a true family. Each concert thus becomes an opportunity to renew our commitment to music and to thank those who have passionately supported us over the years. This tour is also an opportunity to share with the audience everything we’ve learned and experienced. And we don’t stop there.”
There are stories that intertwine, hearts that beat as one, and voices that rise above expectations. Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca’s friendship has evolved over time.
“We’ve grown together. Every concert, every trip, every success, and every challenge has brought us closer together. Being part of this project means sharing every moment, from backstage to the audience’s ovations. It’s not just work; it’s a true family. Our music speaks of us, our experiences, our hopes. It’s our way of connecting with people.” Someone up there loves them.
“We see a kind of cosmic determinism in it; for us, what was meant to happen happened. At that moment in history, we were meant to meet, someone had to bring us together, as if there were a movement in the universe governing events. It’s beautiful to think that’s how it happened.”
The message is clear: music is a powerful instrument of connection and transformation, capable of making the most intimate chords of our being vibrate. And, as they continue to write their story, the world eagerly awaits the next notes of this Oscar-winning trio, ready to soar once again toward infinity.
Thanks for this wonderful interview, Gino Morabito, and we hope you’ll write more for Il Volo soon!
And now I offer you some reactions to our guys’ songs, performed by Coffee & Reactions!!
And finally, listen to this beautiful musical version of GRANDE AMORE played by Jodok Cello.
Kind words for our beloved guys who always manage to amaze us with their fantastic performances.
The Christmas holidays are behind us, and Ignazio is taking advantage of the time to spend with Michelle and Gabriele.
Gianluca had a wonderful vacation in Lapland!
Nothing has leaked about Piero but he is certainly spending wonderful moments in his Naro.
I was about to finish this post when some fresh news arrived.
The Italian newspaper IL RESTO DEL CARLINO celebrates its 140th anniversary this year and has therefore promoted some wonderful initiatives, including one involving Il Volo.
Il Volo, three Carlino directors for a day: leave your questions for the artists here.
Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble will be guests of the editorial team. The event will be held on January 20th at the newspaper’s headquarters in Bologna. Readers can submit questions for the trio; here are the instructions.
Bologna, January 14, 2026– Three great voices. One group. A worldwide success, and now a new commitment to our newspaper and our readers. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, when, as part of the newspaper’s 140th anniversary celebrations, the artists of Il Volo will be the editors of Qn – il Resto del Carlino for a day.
Readers’ Questions
In preparation for this event, readers can actively participate by submitting their questions to the trio, which will be selected and submitted to the artists. Submitting your questions is easy: just go to the bottom of the article and leave your questions in the comments section. They will be submitted to the artists during the “Il Resto di Bologna” vodcast.
Then, in the Wednesday, January 21st edition of Il Carlino, you’ll find an editorial by Il Volo, in which the artists will share reflections and considerations drawn from their experience as “directors,” informed by the news reported that day and in the preceding days. Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble will arrive on Via Mattei following a series of personalities such as basketball player Marco Belinelli and singers Nek and Mika.
(The article continues with a description of Il Volo’s career and other things.)
So if you’d like to submit your questions, try this link:
Note from Pat: I had trouble with this link using Google Chrome. I also tried both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer browsers which worked. Write your questions in the comment section that appears at the bottom of this article. Scroll WAY down to get to it and click on the blue box that says “Lascia un commento” (Leave a comment).
Feel free to write in your own language. If your questions are found interesting, they will be read on Il Volo on January 20th.
There’s still time before the next concerts begin; perhaps they’re considering new dates or thinking about new songs, new events that will keep us company in this new year.
We’re waiting for you, we’re your fans, we’re your support.
It is the first time that Il Volo held a concert in Val d’Aosta which is a small region in the north, on the border with France and Switzerland.
The concert was held in the Bard Fort which is a beautiful fortified complex in the middle of the Alps, a typical example of a barrier fortress from the early 19th century.
The concert took place in the internal courtyard which has been used for the event. The performance of Il Volo opened the concert series.
Unique emotions. A great evening of music with Il Volo which opened the 2024 summer of Forte di Bard. A musical journey that celebrates 15 years of activity of the famous trio.
And here are some moments from the concert. (turn on subtitles)
I remind you that after this concert, on July 9th, unfortunately and with immense pain, Barbara Vitali died.
On July 11th there was a concert in Catania and we talked about it in the post previous to this one.
July 9th, a very sad date, Barbara Vitali is no longer with us, with her beloved boys.
“The show must go on” and we’ll continue with the chronology of the concerts.
July 13, concert in Palermo, the beautiful city full of wonderful monuments and the capital of Sicily.
The concert was held in the Falcone-Borsellino velodrome, the two magistrates killed by the mafia.
I immediately propose this beautiful video which contains many clips of the songs of the evening.
Before singing Hallelujah the boys made a beautiful dedication to Barbara and then sang for her with emotion.
I thank our friends Yukio and Kumico Kobayashi who were present at the concert in Palermo and recorded the video of the dedication to Barbara which I translate for all of you.
IGNAZIO= This is a special song and it is even more special for us, because in life the beautiful thing is to create relationships, friendships, real relationships, human relationships, and we had created one of these relationships with a wonderful person, a wonderful person who was our shadow for 15 years.
(applause). She was perhaps one of the five most important people in our lives outside of our family, who helped us grow, helped us become the men we are today.
PIERO= Her name was Barbara (applause) she traveled with us to every part of the world, without her we wouldn’t go anywhere. (applause) We ask you to turn on the flashes of your cell phones one at a time to create an atmosphere and perhaps go up there.
At the end of the song all the people stood up and gave a very long warm applause.
LA CURA (Gianluca) On a special note, before starting the song Gianluca spoke about the love and care that a person must have for the person they love. At the end of the speech he said that he is in love and that she was there.
So Gianluca is in love again! 😍
AMOR VIDA DE MI VIDA (Piero)
SHOW MUST GO ON (Ignazio)
MISERERE
CAPOLAVORO
A sweet moment during the concert.
This little girl who sings CAPOLAVORO is truly beautiful and this comment was written by her mother, Tsvetelina Rizzuto:
My wonderful daughter is a super fan of, as she calls them, “our boys”. Going on stage yesterday was a dream of hers and she was very emotional! We came from Bulgaria to see the concert in Palermo! It will remain a beautiful memory for both of us. 🥰
Ignazio asks the little girl who her favorite is and suggests he say Piero, the little girl nods.
Piero greets the little girl and tells her to go back to Santa Claus (Torpedine). 😂
But the performances in Palermo are not over yet because on July 15th in Palermo Santa Rosalia, patron saint of Palermo, is celebrated.
This festival is deeply felt by the people of Palermo and this year marks the 400th celebration.
The story goes that the plague and the dark ages had invaded Palermo, there was pain, disease and famine.
Rosalia, a very young girl from Palermo who was martyred, will free Palermo from the plague.
It is a very long ceremony that takes place in several stages.
The statue of Santa Rosalia is carried along the main avenue starting from the Palazzo dei Normanni (Royal Palace) and reaches the Cathedral where Il Volo will perform singing two songs from the roof of the Cathedral.
They will sing NESSUN DORMA and CAPOLAVORO, but only Nessun Dorma will be filmed on local TV because, due to copyright issues, Il Volo cannot be recorded for more than three minutes. So we will only be able to see Capolavoro recorded from fan videos.
The procession will then continue to the Quattro Canti and then arrive on the seafront where there will be splendid fireworks.
300 thousand people were expected, it is a truly very special event.
The Sicilian moment of Il Volo with the concerts in Catania, Palermo and the Santa Rosalia party ends here.
Our boys quickly return to Bologna, on July 15th there will be the funeral ceremony dedicated to Barbara 🙏❤️, Il Volo communicated it with these words:
For those who wish to say a final farewell to Barbara Vitali, the funeral will take place on Monday 15 July with a Holy Mass which will be celebrated at 11.30 am at the Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi – Strada Maggiore 43 Bologna, and at 4.00 pm with a Holy Mass. Mass at the Parish of Santa Maria Villiana hamlet. Gaggio Montano.
The Bologna newspaper IL RESTO DEL CARLINO published this article.
Il Volo at Barbara Vitali’s funeral: “You were our second mother”
The funeral of the 54-year-old manager who died in an accident in Gaggio Montano: the Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi in Bologna was packed. The coffin was carried by relatives and friends united in grief. The singers also spoke to remember their collaborator and friend.
Bologna, 15 July 2024 – A day of condolence for the numerous people who gathered this morning at 11.30 to say a final sad farewell to Barbara Vitali, inside the Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi, in Strada Maggiore.
The coffin is surrounded by family and friends of the 54-year-old, historic collaborator of the tenor trio Il Volo, who died on Tuesday 9 July at Sant’Orsola due to serious injuries sustained in a car accident that occurred two days earlier in the Gaggio Montano area.
Inside the Basilica the coffin was carried by relatives and friends united in grief over the passing of their loved one. The tears of the emotional eyes of those who came to the commemoration are hidden inside the dark sunglasses and the hugs are more of pain than anything else. And so the Basilica became the frame and mourning box for those present at the funeral.
The arrival of the coffin inside the small square was followed by that of the guys from Il Volo and Michele Torpedine, the manager of the three singers and friend of Barbara.
The singer Nina Zilli also brought her greetings to Vitali.
During the ceremony, we were moved by the memory of Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero, the three tenors of Il Volo, who paid tribute to Barbara with their voices, singing during the ceremony and then speaking. “Our second mother and she made us the men we are today. Events that remind us how ephemeral and precious life is. There are no words to describe our pain”, says Gianluca Ginoble, tenor of Il Volo, during the funeral. Even more moved was Ignazio Boschetto, part of the trio, who told some anecdotes about Barbara and remembered “her contagious smile”.
Piero Barone, of the trio, also described Vitali from the microphone: “Barbara is the only person who could have written a book about us perfectly. She demonstrated to us the seriousness of the work and what it means to dedicate yourself to your passion. Thanks to your father Gianni for making her the woman she was.” The head-on collision last Tuesday also caused the death of the driver of the other car, 49-year-old Pietro Bervicato from Cremona. Vitali, on the other hand, who turned 54 last June 13th, had been at Sant’Orsola since the late evening of Sunday July 7th when his Fiat 500x was involved in a dramatic accident on the ss64 Porrettana in Gaggio Montano. Following this, at 4pm, there will be a second mass in his area of origin, the Apennines, in the church of Santa Maria Villiana in Gaggio.
IL RESTO DEL CARLINO also filmed the moment in which Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio said some words in memory of Barbara.
PIERO= How she met us, how she loved us, no one.
Barbara showed us the seriousness in work, what it means to dedicate your life 360 degrees to what you do, with passion.
A little while ago the priest was reading the questions that are asked at the end of life: have you loved? She knew how to love.❤️
GIANLUCA= How ephemeral life is and how precious it is to enjoy every moment with the people we love, and that’s what we did with Barbara in 15 years of our life, she was our second mother, she accompanied us in all the moments our travels, made us grow artistically, personally, made us, I can say, the men we have become today.
Maybe it’s a natural process, you have to accept it, but it’s the hardest thing especially when you know the pain at such a young age. There are no words to describe the pain. ❤️
IGNAZIO= I don’t want to say that this loss is the worst, but I can tell you that I feel the same way. Because as Gianluca said in those 15 years I spent more time with Barbara than with my family. We shared joys and sorrows and unfortunately, due to my personality, I can’t remember Barbara without a smile, I don’t know, I imagine her now telling me:
“When you go to drink a spritz, get one for me too”.
I want to remember her so.❤️
Il Volo sung Panis Angelicus during the mass for their Barbara.
The man who hugs Ignazio outside the church is Barbara’s elderly father, her mother was not present, she is not well.
Over the next three weeks, I will be traveling so I will share with you some old stories which I’m sure you will enjoy. I chose to start with the series Cooking Il Volo Style because not only do I tell you about foods from the regions the guys live in, I also tell you a little bit about the history of those regions.
I remember when I first wrote this series, a woman wrote to me to say that her husband enjoyed reading the histories so much that he finally is going to take her to Italy. It seems he made some connection with Piero and Ignazio’s stories since his family was from Sicily.
Originally, my decision to write about this was made when I read Daniela’s article on *The Support of Il Volo about the porticos of Bologna being nominated for recognition by UNESCO. I remembered that I did a series on Cooking Il Volo Style and, with Ignazio’s recipe, I spoke about the Portico of San Luca.
Of the three, Ignazio certainly is the cook!
Where did this love of cooking come from? None other than Nina! You will recall in Ignazio’s story he said, “Nina gave me a passion for cooking.”
Today we will be Cooking with Ignazio and we will make Ignazio’s own recipe for Chicken Marsala. We actually have a video of him making it.
But before we begin, I think we need a song by Ignazio! I always listen to the guys sing when I’m cooking! It makes the preparation exciting!
Ignazio was born in and lived as a child in the region of Emilia-Romagna in the city of Bologna. A few years back, Ignazio took up permanent residence in Bologna. So, let’s start in Bologna where Ignazio was born. I decided to include a recipe from both the Emilia-Romagna region and the region of Marsala where Ignazio moved to when he was 10 years old.
In an article posted by il Resto del Carlino, Ignazio was asked: What do the arcades mean to you?
Ignazio replied:I have wonderful memories, the Sunday morning walks with the family, in the center under the porticos. And then Lucio Dalla always mentions the porticos in his songs, I think of ‘Le Rondini’. A great emotional value, as well as in Bologna I also lived in a small village, Molinella, where I remember under the porticos there was a lady who made fresh pasta. There we bought tortellini and then at night they were wonderful! If I could, I would always take long walks.
So, Tortellini it is!
Let’s begin with some history of Bologna where Ignazio was born and some history from Marsala where Ignazio moved to at the age of 10.
Bologna is a city in northern Italy that is about a one-hour drive north from Florence. Over the centuries, Bologna has acquired many nicknames: “La Grassa” (the fat) refers to its cuisine, in which the most famous specialties are prepared using rich meats (especially pork), egg pasta and dairy products, such as butter and Parmesan cheese.
To discover Bologna, we need to step back in time to the 6th century BC when it was known by the Etruscans as Felsina. It was one of the most important settlements in the Po Valley. Bologna has numerous archaeological remnants of an early civilization.
Eventually, Bologna fell to the Romans, a colony was set up and it was renamed Bononia. Its strategic position on the ancient Via Emilia Road gave it a certain prestige in the area. During the Roman occupation of Bononia it is believed that as many as 20,000 people lived there.
When the Roman Empire declined in the 5th century AD, so too did the city. The city was sacked and variously groups such as the Goths, the Huns, the Lombards and the Visigoths occupied it. Bologna’s fortunes declined but, it managed to slowly regain its former political and economic stability.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, the city expanded and extended beyond the confines of its defensive wall. It was in the mid-18th century that the **Portico of San Luca was built.
The Emilia-Romagna region of Italy is known for its porticos. In all the cities the shops are covered by porticos so you can shop in any weather. Entire blocks are covered by porticos. The most famous being the Portico of San Luca.
The history is quite long but briefly, the portico was built to protect the painting of the Virgin Mary and Jesus (which is believed to have been painted by St. Luke) as it is processed from the Basilica of San Luca on the top of the mountain to the Basilica of St. Peters in the city center. The Portico was built to protect the painting from the rain. This procession happens every May. The San Luca portico is the longest covered walkway in the world.
Let’s turn to Marsala where Ignazio moved to when he was 10 years old.
But first, before we head to Marsala, let’s make a stop in Naples to listen to Ignazio sing his Pino Daniele medley?
Marsala is a town located in the Province of Trapani in the westernmost part of Sicily. It is built on the ruins of the ancient Carthaginian city of Lilybaeum, and within its territory is the archaeological site of the island of Mozia, an ancient Phoenician town. (Mozia is a small island, formerly known as Motia and San Pantaleo in the Trapani province, in Sicily. It lies in the Stagnone Lagoon and is generally included as a part of the commune of Marsala.)
The Carthaginian army set out to conquer Selinunte in 409 BC and landed and camped near the site of the later Lilybaeum. In 397 BC when the Phoenician colony of Mozia on the southwestern coast of Sicily was invaded and destroyed by the Syracusan tyrant Dionysius I, the survivors founded a town on the mainland nearby, the site of modern-day Marsala, which they called by a Punic name meaning “Town that Looks on Libya.”
TEMPLE OF SELINUNTE
The First Punic Wars began here when the Punic army landed at Lilybaion in 265–264 BC, then marched across Sicily to Messina.
Many armies invaded but, with the arrival of Arabic Berbers at the nearby Granitola mount the rebirth of the town started. The town was renamed Marsala. The modern name, Marsala, likely derived from the Arabic (marsā llāh) “God’s Harbor.”
Since the end of the 11th century, the area has been conquered by Normans, Angevin and Aragonese troops. During this time, Marsala became wealthy, primarily through trade. However the blocking up of the harbor of Punta Alga, decreed by Emperor Charles V to stop Saracen forays, brought an end to this period of prosperity.
The development of Marsala wine at the end of the 18th century, headed by English merchant John Woodhouse, from Liverpool, who exported the fortified wine, triggered an economic expansion in Marsala. Other English and Sicilian businessmen followed his example, and it was in fact one of these men, Joseph Whitaker, who began excavating and piecing together the history of Marsala.
On May 11, 1860, Giuseppe Garibaldi landed at Marsala, beginning the process of Italian unification.
On May 11, 1943, in the lead-up to the World War II, the Allies invaded Sicily, and an Allied bombardment of the town permanently damaged its Baroque center and claimed many victims.
The history of Bologna and Marsala are long and rich and, it would take too long to talk about here. Take the time to look it up. It’s interesting!
Food and emotion go hand in hand, but nothing is more emotional than a song by Ignazio! So, before we start cooking let’s listen to a very emotional song!
Now to the recipe. The first recipe today is Tortellini with Pesto Sauce and I’m going to make this very easy for you.
Let’s start with a little inspiration! These pictures are for those ladies who just can’t get enough of Ignazio!
I had to include the following picture because the reaction to this picture when I posted it as the cover to my story “A Man of Passion and Emotion,” made all the ladies delirious! It certainly is a photo full of passion and emotion! Thank you, Ignazio!!!
I think that’s enough inspiration!
Let’s start cooking!
Tortellini with Pesto Sauce
Tortellini is a ring-shaped Italian pasta stuffed with cheese or meat that is most traditionally served in broth. For our recipe we are using Pesto Sauce but, many people make it with tomato sauce. It can also be made with a tomato sauce with mushrooms or meat. Tortellini originates from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, and it is particularly associated with Bologna. (Just a note Pesto Sauce has pine nuts in it so, if you are allergic to nuts or tree nuts perhaps you shouldn’t eat this.)
Tortellini with Pesto Sauce.
Ingredients:
Tortellini – there are different kinds of Tortellini. The most common is stuffed with cheese.
Pesto Sauce in a Jar (Pesto Sauce has pine nuts in it so, if you are allergic to nuts or tree nuts perhaps you shouldn’t eat this.)
Salt
Boil the water for the pasta. Add a handful of salt to the water. This will prevent the Tortellini from sticking together. When the water boils, throw in the Tortellini and follow the cooking instruction on the package.
For Pesto Sauce just open the jar and add it to the pasta. It is not necessary to heat. The hot pasta will heat it.
Now to Ignazio’s Chicken Marsala! It’s easy to make!
The ingredients are:
Chicken Cutlets (not too thinly sliced)
Marsala Wine
Flour
Olive Oil
Salt
Just a pinch of Cinnamon
In a frying pan add olive oil, salt, Marsala Wine (be careful when you add the wine because it is alcohol, and it could flare up) and a pinch of cinnamon. Keep the flame low until the Marsala is in the pan. Then slowly raise the flame but not too high. Dredge the cutlets in the flour and shake them off so you don’t have an excess of flour. When the liquid in the pan starts to bubble, carefully add the cutlets to the pan (you’ll see in the video when Ignazio added the cutlets, the liquid splashed back). Judge for yourself when it is done. Chicken cooks quickly.
Quick, easy, wonderful dinner! Don’t forget the wine. You can drink red or white wine with Tortellini and Chicken Marsala. In Sicily they drink many wines some from the De Bartoli Winery in Marsala. (I don’t know if we are related even though I know some members of my family went to Marsala in 1800 – 1850). I know everyone knows Cantine Fina, Kika’s family winery. For me it’s always Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine. What can I say? My mother’s family is from Abruzzo!
With dinner there must be music! What could be better than Ignazio singing the very romantic “Quando l’amore diventa poesia?”
I know Ignazio would be happy if we tried this recipe which he made for the guys when they lived in LA.
Buon appetito!
For Ignazio, good food and family go together. The family’s Sunday dinners were an important part of their week. It was the one day every one could be together, go for a stroll and bring home some fresh pasta for dinner.
I hope you enjoyed Cooking with Ignazio! Before I end my story let me add one more song.
When asked if there was one song in the Morricone Tribute that Ignazio liked, he said, “I like them all but if I must choose it would be ‘Here’s to You’ because it is associated with a historical event!”
Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!
If you would like to share a story with me, please email: susan.flightcrew@yahoo.com
To read more Il Volo stories visit us at www.ilvoloflightcrw.com
*To read Daniela’s story, “The Support of Il Volo” about the porticoes of Bologna being nominated for recognition by UNESCO. Go to: http://www.ilvoloflightcrw.com
**If you would like to read more about the Porticos of San Luca go to:
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