Due to the fragment of the video relating to the Radio Number One interview, where it seemed that Piero and Gianluca had a difference of opinion, a video that we have already published here and we have already talked about, and despite the denials from Stefano Fisico who had interviewed Il Volo at that time and also by one of his colleagues, many Italian journalists and as many newspapers published that Il Volo was disbanding.
So all the newspapers reported the news that Il Volo had reached the end of the line, that the boys would split up and a lot of people believed these words, despite many fans (including me) writing that they didn’t believe these fake messages.
Some newspapers had even looked for the causes of the division, saying that the cause was Piero and for this reason he was already taking opera singing lessons on his own…..others wrote that the cause was Gianluca because his girlfriend (who no longer has ) with his contacts (his grandfather in the cinema field) had pushed him to undertake a career as an actor……others have written that the cause was Ignazio thinking about imminent marriage and that women divide groups.
Some articles even put all the concerts on the tour at risk, advising fans to be careful when buying tickets… Incredible!!
ALL THIS WAS EXTREMELY FALSE BUT THE NEWSPAPERS, FOR DAYS AND DAYS, CONTINUED TO WRITE THIS NEWS.
Only the journalist Alessi, of Novella 2000 a gossip newspaper, had the courage to go against the grain and make this video:
ALESSI= Good news, the guys from Il Volo are not separating, these days all the sites, newspapers etc. after there had been a small fight between two of the guys from Il Volo, they wrote that they are separating, that they will no longer be together, that everyone will go for themselves, reckless lives of soloists etc., among other things, even Rosario Fiorello had intervened to do a public appeal from VIVA RAI 2 (Fiorello’s show) to say not to separate, after 883 and Benji and Fede (groups that separated) don’t separate too.
Well they don’t separate, and not only that, next week I discovered that they will go to Fiorello as guests to reiterate that there are three of them and three of them remain.
And here we are at VIVA RAI, the morning television show (starts at 7.00), a successful comedy show hosted by Fiorello.
This show takes place outdoors in the RAI courtyard, but previously it took place in a street in Rome, precisely in via Asiago and people protested because it was an early morning show (to be broadcast at 7.00 the workers start much earlier ) furthermore people can also go and watch the show, so there was a lot of disturbance for the people who lived in that street and after complaints, the show was moved to the RAI courtyards.
But Fiorello, who is a naughty boy, wanted to spite the inhabitants of Via Asiago yet again, together with Il Volo, who lent himself to this gag that I translated for you. 😂😂😂
FIORELLO= Good morning friends, you see me, I’m alone. I still have to change for the episode. It’s 4.30 am, very early, it’s dark at night.
Now we will connect with Via Asiago, you remember via Asiago, we were there before and they miss us. 😂
Someone told us and then we returned to Via Asiago, at the moment Biggio Fabrizio is there. (Fiorello’s collaborator) Fabrizio are you there? Fabrizio can you hear me? There it is, there, I see you!
BIGGIO= Yes, I’m here, I’m here, I’m in Via Asiago.
FIORELLO= Is everything quiet there?
BIGGIO= There is an incredible silence. You can’t hear a fly.
FIORELLO= Where was Glass once? (their glass station)
BIGGIO= Here, Glass was here (he points to a point on the road)
FIORELLO= Yes, yes. Do we want to go back to the old days and bring some good humor to Via Asiago?
BIGGIO= We are here on purpose! We are here on purpose!
FIORELLO= Who is with you, who is there
BIGGIO= I’m not alone, I’m not alone exactly, there are the guys from Il Volo, look!
Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero imitate the three musketeers by shaking hands and saying: “One for all and all for one” and giving each other the names of the three musketeers.
GIANLUCA= The atom is divisible but we are not.
PIERO= Il Volo united, will never be defeated (paraphrasing a well-known song)
IGNAZIO= There will be no Yoko Ono to divide us!
PIERO= (To Ignazio) You want to be Pooh (a group that split up!)
IGNAZIO= No!
BIGGIO= (to Fiorello) Here, you see, you saw Rosario, they are united….all these voices….they are united.
FIORELLO= Leave the rumors alone, then let’s do that thing over there…
BIGGIO= We are ready.
FIORELLO= Those of Via Asiago will be happy, whenever you want, go.
BIGGIO= So guys (call Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca) let’s sing your great success.
IGNAZIO= 3×2 six
PIERO= Why are you 3×2?
GIANLUCA= Again??
BIGGIO= Yes, Big Love, but keep your voices down guys….
PIERO= If they wake up they will kick us out…..
BIGIO= Here we go…
GIANLUCA= (he intones in a low voice) Tell me why when I think, I only think of you….
PIERO= (also, in a low voice) Tell me why when I see, I only see you….
IGNAZIO= (also him, in a low voice) Tell me why when I live, I live only in you….
I+P+G= (all very loudly) Big Loveeeee
IGNAZIO= Sleepyheads!!!!
FIORELLO= Run away, run away!!
IGNAZIO= Don’t sleep!!!
FIORELLO= Stop, stop, throw everything away!! See you later, theme song, what’s up, I don’t know what’s up. Sssshhhhh!!! 😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣
Fiorello, you are truly unstoppable and those kids Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero who listen to you!! What a laugh!! 😂😂
And now, here we are now in the internal square of RAI. The performance of Il Volo begins outside with the song Capolavoro. Unfortunately the day is not hot and it is drizzling.
Wow, how wonderful, shame about the weather. Well done Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca and the two dancers are also very good, but what a very hot dance!!! 🔥🔥 But weren’t they cold? The water in the pool was warm, but what courage and what hot kisses!!
A very beautiful performance, technically, but perhaps not exactly ideal for the day, but with music like this, with voices like this, a masterpiece was needed.
The performance continues inside the Glass Box with a succession of gags that I will translate for you.
FIORELLO= More united than ever, truly more united than ever, you know that rumors are chasing each other over a small spat…. guys, how many times, how many squabbles, I and you (to Biggio) but we don’t break up (and they sing a song that says…but we will never leave each other, we have too many things together, if we get angry then we will find ourselves with three body and a soul) 😂😂😂 if we prepared it, we would never have done it so well!
Gentlemen, here we are. First, however, I present to you something incredible, because there is something that no one knows, because as you know these guys now, they weren’t like this before. Just think, before they were a rap-trap group (laughter).
What, did you laugh? I know, they were called La Dark Volo Gang, look (and there’s a video of a Fiorello show from 2019 where Il Volo imitated rap singers and sing Caruso in rap mode….🤣🤣🤣 then they start Capolavoro)
Il Volo, I Voli, so here we are, here we are finally, I couldn’t wait for you to arrive…(Gianluca continues to hug Piero and Ignazio)
PIERO= Please, will you remove it from back here? (Gianluca)
GIANLUCA= No, I have to stay among you, because we are a united, cohesive group, we won’t break up like the others!!
PIERO= Well done Gianluca!
IGNAZIO= (starts singing the song…..we will NEVER break up….)
FIORELLO= Look at the record company how happy they are (happy that they aren’t separating). In the meantime, look at how beautiful this is (photo by All for One, then he shows the tour dates, ) it’s incredible guys.
GIANLUCA= But we didn’t come to promote the tour…… but our tour will start in May at the Verona Arena.
FIORELLO= And will we be there from May?
PIERO= Did you buy the ticket?
FIORELLO= No! I will never pay for one of your concerts…..(laughter).…but you think I pay, they invite me…I’ve already seen them.
Seeing a show is refreshing for me, because I sit down and see the talent, these wonderful voices that intertwine. I would like to be the fourth of Il Volo, (he tries a high note), without instead doing (he intones Tirichitolla), this is our hit that sooner or later we will do.
Before starting everything, give me the books, do you have them?? (Every time there is a guest, Fiorello shows off books with ridiculous labels). They not only make music, but they also have a publishing activity and here it is their new book (Fiorello shows the book written by Fabio Volo, on which they removed the name Fabio with a sign and wrote IL so that you read IL Volo ), you see it’s their book!
How long did it take you to write this book?
IGNAZIO= Two days.
FIORELLO = Did you write it with three hands? But you were wrong, you wrote Fabio … and then there are the other books, travel books, obviously one each: TAKEOFF (with the photo of Gianluca) 🤣 HIGH ALTITUDE (with the photo of Ignazio)😂 LANDING (with Piero’s photo)🤣 and then the small one, you see: LOW COST (laughter) 🤣😂🤣
GIANLUCA= But I see it has a preface by Fabio Volo! 😂
FIORELLO= We don’t miss anything, we are quite didactic. But technology has also taken care of you, and I have allowed myself to ask a question to our artificial ignorance. 😂
PIERO= Ignorance??😂
FIORELLO= Yes, we have artificial ignorance.🤣 So, Ignorance: Il Volo.
IGNORANCE= (in an artificial voice) Thanks for the question Rosario Fiorello, because I have always liked Il Volo, even if they could have chosen a name that you could immediately understand that there are three.
Il Volo have been together since they were children, since Ti Lascio Una Canzone, when they were still in nursery school.
Even though they are beautiful, do you ask the tall one if he is single? 😂
FIORELLO= Are you single? (to Ignazio)
IGNAZIO= No.
IGNORANCE= The tall one, (doesn’t know the name) I’ll leave you my cell number, which is: 12##13.😂😂
FIORELLO= But what number is it? What number is that, sorry Ignorance?
IGNORANCE= And they sang with Barbra Streisand and Placido Domingo, not like you three (Fiorello and his two friends), who do the job of making jokes (the comedians), I would send you to dig.
This time I really studied the guests, did you know that Il Volo has sold, to be precise, a number of millions of records, even gold and even platinum, like even in Venezuela. Sorry if I’m too precise, but I wanted to, now Rosario Fiorello, I have to leave you because I have an audition to join an all-female artificial musical band, we thought we’d call ourselves The Three Ignorances, or The Very Ignorant, what do you think?
FIORELLO= The three ignorances.😂
IGNORANCE = Happy extinction to everyone, that is, I was saying, a big hug to everyone.
FIORELLO= No, you have extinction, you said happy extinction to everyone, you said it! We salute our artificial ignorance. (applause)
So, dear Volo, you have fun when these rumors are going around, look at them here how beautiful they are, let’s hug them, come here.
GIANLUCA= But then they said everything, that Piero takes lessons on his own…🤬
FIORELLO= Who takes lessons alone???
PIERO= Me
FIORELLO= But why there is a singing school to be a soloist, I don’t understand, it seems to me…..
GIANLUCA= But then they are mean, they say that Gianluca is going to America, because there are girls who ruin groups…. don’t spread rumors that aren’t true!! 🤬
IGNAZIO= John Lennon calm down.
GIANLUCA= Everything you read IS NOT TRUE!! 👏👏👏
IGNAZIO= Unfortunately it’s fake news!!😂
FIORELLO= Guys, I’ll take care of it, don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. 😂
PIERO= But how many distractions, my goodness. (Ignazio starts the song Capolavoro)
Do we want to play a game? You have done everything and we have to renovate you, give me a lyric of the song, for example one of your lyrics….
IGNAZIO= You seem like my hairdresser..” we need to renovate”…
FIORELLO= So they tell you… do we have to renovate?…
PIERO= Yes and then you always come out bald! 😂
FIORELLO= Are you ready? Guys, here we have the lyrics of Nessun Dorma, but we have to restructure it, let’s see if we can do it.
PIERO= The orchestra???
FIORELLO= The orchestra is there! (there is only the pianist) 😁 For the first time I will have Il Volo who will be my backing singers with a cheerful samba….(a samba starts to the beat of which Fiorello and Il Volo sing the lyrics of Nessun Dorma) 😂😂😂😂
It is being renovated and this is Il Volo low cost!!
Look, Sanremo went well, though!
IGNAZIO= Yes, we had fun.
FIORELLO= Is it the third Sanremo or the fourth?
IGNAZIO= It’s the third Sanremo, it went well, it depends on what point of view you look at it.
FIORELLO= But what have you done: first once, you came first once.
GIANLUCA= Once third and once eighth.
PIERO= We miss finishing last!
FIORELLO= No, it’s good, you won’t be there next time because you’ll be traveling around the world.
PIERO= Yes
FIORELLO = Gentlemen, now to seal the love, at 8.02 am, there is a song, a duet, the duet of duets which is “Non Amarmi” (it is a beautiful song that won Sanremo New Proposals 1992)
PIERO= Who is Alessandro Baldi? (The song was sung by Alessandro Baldi, a young blind man and by Francesca Alotta)
FIORELLO= I play Baldi and you play Alotta and we translate the song into the plural, we pluralize it.
IGNAZIO= Ok
PIERO= (music begins) But this is THE SHOW MUST GO ON by Queen!!
(they start singing the song, and of course the words of the chorus have been changed to adapt them to Il Volo’s situation with the Italian journalists)
IL VOLO = “Don’t love us for the sake of something different”
FIORELLO = “But do you think it’s right to spend time together”
IL VOLO = “Don’t love us and we realize how true a lie is, if your love is not worth it, don’t love us but don’t send us away.”
FIORELLO= It couldn’t have come out better!! Gentlemen, now and forever. IL VOLO.
Two selfies with Il Volo!! 🥰🥰🥰
A few words with Il Volo 😍😍😍
MAN= Good morning guys, good morning, Il Volo to Viva Rai 2, how was this morning.
PIERO= It’s finally stopped raining.
MAN= Are you happy that it stopped raining?
PIERO= Very happy.
MAN= I saw you this morning a little worried about the rain.
PIERO= But that’s two drops of water.
GIANLUCA= But why is Fiorello there to put you in a good mood!!
IGNAZIO= Two small drops of water…..the umbrella, the umbrella!! (imitates Piero)
GIANLUCA= We had fun, thanks to everyone as always.
MAN = Beautiful Capolavoro!
PIERO= Thanks!
MAN= Now the world tour awaits you.
IGNAZIO= In May at the Verona Arena, see you there.
GIANLUCA= And Caracalla in Rome.
IGNAZIO= Yes, Caracalla in Rome.
PIERO= At the Baths of Caracalla, but first let’s go to Japan.
MAN= First in Japan and then Rome, but which is the stage you are most looking forward to?
PIERO= Rome.
GIANLUCA= We are in Rome and we say Rome.
MAN= Ah ah, of course, it depends on where you are. Thanks guys, bye, bye.
Do you remember the ballet performed at the beginning to the music of Capolavoro?
The choreographer of that ballet is Luca Tommassini, a famous Italian choreographer who also worked with Madonna.
At the beginning of Il Volo’s career, when they were little and in America, he was the one who instructed them on how to move on stage, I also seem to remember that he appears in a PBS video while giving the kids some advice on stage.
However, the video of the performance on Capolavoro was interrupted at the end of the song but live, our boys complimented the choreography, remembering that it is by Luca Tommassini and he, who was present, published this comment on his Instagram page:
I’m so proud of these three guys, I’ve never talked about my experience with them, the first American tour that I directed… They were so small and so phenomenal that it was an honor to personally accompany them on many of the North American stops… I still remember the first ones hosted on the most important shows in America… The first messages from the biggest music stars…. In a few months the world fell in love with them… I did everything to support them. I also bought him outfits for the first shows, I cut his hair😅… In short, I loved them and I still love them❤️❤️❤️ Thanks again to the whole #vivarai2 team and again to our wonderful dancers Giulia and Cristian ❤️❤️🙌 (the water was hot😅) Long live Rosario Fiorello!!
And do you remember Stefano Fisico, the one who interviewed them on Radio Number One and who had made a video against the journalists who wrote about Gianluca and Piero’s argument?
After Fiorello’s show he posted this:
“My compliments to all the pseudo-journalists who, in order to click on the newspapers or pseudo-newspapers with which they collaborate, invented this fake news on the dissolution of Il Volo taken from an interview of mine. In fact, we can see that they are close to doing so 🤣🤣🤣
As Emilio Fede (Italian journalist) would say:
What a figure of shit.”
Eleonora Venturini Storaro also had to make a statement that put an end to this false news, and so we definitively read, as we suspected, that she and Gianluca are no longer a couple.
It’s not my business to publish this type of story and I’ve tried to stay out of it as much as possible, but given the circumstances I feel I have to protect myself.
I wanted to communicate that all the news that has come out in recent days regarding my involvement and that of my grandfather Vittorio Storaro regarding the dissolution of “IL Volo” for a possible career of Gianluca Ginoble as an actor in Hollywood are totally false.
Furthermore, the love story between me and Gianluca ended 4 months ago for reasons that have nothing to do with our respective professional activities.
Eleonora Venturini Storaro.
Of course, after this Fiorello show, all the newspapers are publishing that Il Volo will never split, that it was just false news!!
I still can’t understand the Italian press and I don’t think I will ever understand it, but there is one positive thing, in this period the news on Il Volo, even if false, have invaded all types of newspapers and I must say there have been many comments begging Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca not to split up.
But do you think that once Fiorello’s show was over the boys had a well-deserved rest??
Absolutely not, because they immediately went to Naples, where the following day they were expected for a private event for FinecoBank at the beautiful San Carlo Theater in Naples.
There was a real mini concert by Il Volo, but here are a few short videos.
I wanted to point out one thing to you, and then I hope not to return to this topic again.
You have noticed that Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio are dressed in their nice suits, this silences the rumors that they did not appreciate their new look, but as I have already told you several times, they adapt to the place and the public. Very good guys!!
At this point the post was finished, but……as usual the news chases each other and therefore the release of the new CD on March 29th was announced, and the title is AD ASTRA!!
And here are the songs that make up the compilation:
The new album will be available in these versions:
Il Volo published this:
Ad Astra is a sound journey composed of 11 tracks with an international flavor that arrives after the participation in the 74th Sanremo Festival with Capolavoro, a real tailor-made suit, sewn on the three distinct and complementary personalities of Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble.
It is a one-of-a-kind recording project, born from intense work shared with an exceptional team made up of some of the most important authors and producers of the moment.
The new songs draw a bridge between the past and the present, with a decisive impulse towards the future: a true cosmic experience without borders, between intimate atmospheres and celestial suggestions, with which the most famous Italian trio in the world combines their talent musical to the grandeur of space and time.
We also remember that there will be a duet song with IRAMA.
As I already told you, Ernesto Ginoble, who was one of the promoters of this CD, is also part of the new recording project.
He is the youngest soul of Il Volo! Ernesto published these beautiful words:
I am proud, happy and satisfied to be part of the Artistic Direction together with Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero of AD ASTRA, the first album of unreleased songs by @ilvolomusic out on March 29th.
It is almost impossible to summarize two years of work in a few lines, two years of passion, friendship, sacrifice, obsession.
In Ad Astra there is everything about us, the love and care that we put into every song, into every single moment that allowed this project to be born and realized.
Thank you Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero for this opportunity.
Thank you @edwynroberts, Thank you @stemarletta, Thank you @michaeltenisci, without you all this would never have happened. Thank you @lucafaraone, pure talent, rare soul. Thank you @______michelangelo, true friend and professional. Thanks to all the authors and producers who were part of this project. Thanks @sonymusicitaly and @epicrecordsitaly for the support and trust. Thank you @enricobrun and @patti_carmelo for taking care of every detail. Thanks Michele Torpedine, lighthouse, guide. We can’t wait for you to be part of this journey too. With all my heart, Ernesto.
Very good Ernesto, you are officially part of the Il Volo staff, congratulations to you and the Ginoble family and fingers crossed for the success of this CD.
Also Studio Aperto, the Italia 1 news program, has already spoken about the new project:
IGNAZIO= It’s been 15 years of union, 15 years of esteem and respect.
PIERO= The beautiful thing is that perhaps our audience has always followed us from day one, assisted us and accompanied us along the way in our growth, which was not only artistically professional, but also personal.
WOMAN’S VOICE= Other than a crisis, the masterpiece of the Il Volo trio comes from this song which celebrates the culmination of 15 years of career.
GIANLUCA= We started when we were 14 or 15 years old, we grew up together and shared the most intense emotions of our lives and that’s what truly unites us in a unique way. This is our relationship.
WOMAN’S VOICE= The album AD ASTRA, composed for the first time entirely of 11 unreleased pieces, will be released on March 29th.
A project born from the collaboration with some of the most important authors and producers of the moment. And then a world tour starting from Japan, the four special evenings at the Verona Arena and sixteen summer events throughout Italy.
PIERO= We want to invite everyone to our concerts.
But because this title AD ASTRA, I must say that it is not Italian, but Latin, and is part of a famous phrase, here it is: PER ASPERA AD ASTRA (For aspera to astra)
It literally means “through difficulties to the stars” and is used to encourage someone, as if to say “you will make it”.💪
And so my dear Ignazio, Gianluca and Piero, we, who love you so much, will always be here for you, to applaud you, to give you all the affection you deserve and we will take you… to astra!!🌟✨💫
With love: Daniela ❤️❤️❤️🤗
One last video that will make you very happy:
What a masterpiece! 2024 Italian Pair Champions Rebecca Ghilardi and Filippo Ambrosini perform “Capolavoro” to a full house at the Torino Palavela. 👏👏👏
I think everyone knows the final ranking of Sanremo, Il Volo came in eighth place.
I must say that given how the jury votes were going, I had doubted a worse result and instead they managed to get back into the top ten.
It was a beautiful dream, but there were many nightmares and not all of them were driven away.
Il Volo certainly deserved much more, not in terms of final position, but in terms of respect.
Respect for three young men who are excellent singers and performers, they have always been polite people, who worked hard, put themselves on the line, even though they didn’t need it, and therefore deserved everyone’s respect.
But let’s start by looking at their final night performance.
Well done, impeccable, as they have been in all these evenings.
After the performance of all the singers, the partial ranking is read which adds up all the previous evenings and so we discover that Il Volo is in place number 11.
Honestly, after the verdict of the cover evening, I thought they were positioned worse. So we all vote, and, despite there being a blackout of the switchboards due to the large mass of televoting, Il Volo manages to recover three positions and ends up in eighth place but out of the final games.
Perhaps if the switchboards hadn’t gone haywire, Il Volo would have recovered more votes from home, and they would have risen further in the rankings.
However, the thing that outraged me the most and I think I can say that it also annoyed everyone was the treatment given to the juries at the covers evening.
Ignazio, Gianluca and Piero paid a spectacular tribute to QUEEN, and it wasn’t easy, they did it very well and would have deserved first place and the consequent award for the best performed cover.
RAI has published the voting tables and here is the general ranking of the cover evening only, Il Volo placed ninth after a perfect performance.
But what did the juries evaluate?
The cover night was absolutely perfect, the singers had to be judged for the cover they were presenting. Is it possible that journalists and radio stations didn’t appreciate this masterfully performed piece? As for the televoting, also in this case there were switchboards that were not perfectly up to the task of the evening, the votes of many fans were not reflected.
But let’s review that beautiful performance together: WHO WANTS TO LIVE FOREVER.
Without words!!!! A splendor. 👏👏👏
And now instead I offer you a comment from a journalist to their performance🤬 :
IL VOLO = “WHO WANTS TO LIVE FOREVER” with Stef Burns: on the singing level they are, as always, impeccable. But there always remains that musical feel that doesn’t fit well with the tastes of the contemporary world. They always seem out of time. Rating 6.5.
And now listen to this short video of one of the hundreds of interviews, this one was with Stefano Fisico of Radio Number One.
I translate for you.
Only Gianluca and Piero are present. At the beginning I think Gianluca said Il Volo wanted to change and Piero seemed a little annoyed.
This piece is a preview and we will find the discussion later on.
PIERO= But can we always speak for all three? You want to be something else, you can be something else, but don’t speak for me. (The radio logo appears, then Gianluca says very interesting things for those who love QUEEN)
GIANLUCA= That piece was a great responsibility, because if you do it badly…….Freddy Mercury, Queen, consider that we also sent it to Brian May and he went crazy for our version. They are on tour in Japan. Otherwise, who knows, maybe he would have come too.
STEFANO= I’m convinced that you will do something (look at Piero’s face)
GIANLUCA= I must admit that we were happy to share the stage with Stef Burns, Vasco Rossi’s guitarist.
It was a different touch, because maybe people are used to seeing us in an almost too serious way, right?
STEFANO= Actually we can say that you are a bit like that.
GIANLUCA= Yes, we are like that, but we can be other things and so it’s nice that people appreciated it.
PIERO= Now I’m a little annoyed….
STEFANO= Oh, I want you to be a little aggressive…
PIERO= But can we always speak for all three? You want to be something else, you can be something else, continue to be something else, don’t speak for me.
GIANLUCA= No! You performed Queen last night and maybe people didn’t expect it.
PIERO= But we did it the Il Volo way. Speak for yourself!
GIANLUCA= Don’t get angry, you understand what I want to tell you….
STEFANO = ( he laughs) ….sorry, he hasn’t run all week….
PIERO= You understand, people think…the guys from Il Volo….”do you all sleep together???”…….(he means that people are convinced that all three do the same things, have the same tastes etc.)
There have been countless interviews, but I want to conclude the pages dedicated to Sanremo with some interviews in which important things were said and others that are funny. (turn on subtitles)
This is an extract from the Sanremo press conference.
So you guessed it, there will be a PBS special taped under the pyramids in Egypt in June. It will be amazing!!!!
I think that’s what they were saying, that they’re preparing something nice for their American friends, then of course there will be the tour.
In this conference they also said what their biggest regret is and was reported by the EUROFESTIVAL ITALIA newspaper.
“The only moment of bitterness, in these 15 years of our career, I think was Eurovision”, he then said, in the awareness that having represented Italy in that competition was something important. “At the time, few people in Italy knew what Eurovision was. When we won Sanremo and we were there, we really realized in those days the importance (of that competition, ed.) and how much it was felt by other countries, unlike Italy.”
Continuing, Piero then spoke of the disappointment that arose in having then learned, “after days”, the outcome of the vote, according to which “we had won the televoting – and among other things it was the first time that this had happened in the history of Eurovision”. This awareness therefore brought them “the only bitterness” with which they began. “We would have been very pleased to win, because we really felt that moment and gave our all.”
Another nice thing that was said is that on the new CD there will be a duet with Irama, (remember the beautiful duet they did for ALL FOR ONE?).
Irama also announced this duet. 🥰
This is a nice interview (turn on subtitles)
Il Volo plays loves me or doesn’t love me? 😂😂
IGNAZIO= I would say let’s spin the wheel and see what comes out.
PIERO= Tell us about a Horror date.
GIANLUCA= When I met them for the first time in my life.😂 Alright guys, let’s move on.
PIERO= Dance….nooooo
GIANLUCA= But we don’t know how to dance.
IGNAZIO= I’ll show you.
GIANLUCA= Well done, well done, better if you sing!😂
GIANLUCA= Tell us about a surprise you loved giving or receiving.
Unexpectedly at the station, as soon as she gets off the train, you wait for her there with a rose in your hand…nice. 🥰
PIERO= I don’t like surprises, neither giving them nor receiving them.
GIANLUCA= Can you tell us the worst joke you’ve ever suffered?
PIERO= In Bologna I faked a burglary at home, I called my brother, he left work, came home and it was a joke. I’ll let you imagine what happened.😂
IGNAZIO= You’re an asshole! 🤪
GIANLUCA= How you love to show affection to others.
IGNAZIO= Gianluca bothering me.😂
GIANLUCA= Yes, I hug, pinch, kiss, I’m very carnal.😂
PIERO= I dedicate the song Capolavoro.
IGNAZIO= He dedicates it and I sing it.
PIERO= Can I do the last one? Tell us about a trip you loved taking. Guys, everyone go to Japan, it’s the best trip you can do in your life.
IGNAZIO= It will also be a little strange for those who go for the first time because the sushi tastes completely different from what we are used to.
The first time I thought the people had fallen asleep at the concert, but instead they were attentive. 😂
Someone backstage says he’s going to Japan in March.
PIERO= In March? We’re going in March too.
You saw, he said he’s changing the date.😂
GIANLUCA= If there’s a flight I won’t go! 😂😂😂
Il Volo also received an award for their new official video for Capolavoro.
The award for the best video clip was awarded to the world-famous Italian group
10 February 2024 – Today, Saturday 10 February, the Casa Sanremo – Soundies Awards was presented by the Patron of Casa Sanremo and President of the Events Group Consortium Vincenzo Russolillo to IL VOLO, a much loved group in Italy and around the world, competing at the 74th edition of the Festival with “Capolavoro” (Epic Records/Sony Music Italy), a contemporary ballad that celebrates universal love.
Born from an idea by Russolillo himself, the award represents the first prize in Italian history dedicated to video clips of the songs competing at the Sanremo Festival, intended for record companies.
“Your work was selected by a quality jury, chaired by Laura Delli Colli, President of the National Union of Italian Film Journalists (Sngci) of the Nastri d’Argento. – said Vincenzo Russolillo from the stage of the Casa Sanremo Lounge, addressing Il Volo – I give you the Soundies Awards 2024, on behalf of the Municipality of Sanremo from the hands of Councilor Sara Tonegutti, together with a voucher for the production of the next video clip from be carried out in the territory of the Municipality of Sanremo”.
Il videoclip, prodotto da Cardigan S.r.l. – Sugarkane Studio e diretto da Leandro Manuel Emede it was chosen from among those that accompany the songs competing at the Festival by a jury of music and cinema experts.
The trio transports music to new heights through video, exploring the stars and the mysteries of the infinite. A visual odyssey that combines the musical talent of IL VOLO with the grandeur of space, providing a sensorial experience that challenges the boundaries of the imagination.
And here is the award-winning video clip of Capolavoro.
And now a nice roundup of beautiful and also funny photos.
Piero, Torpedine, Gianluca, Barbara and Ignazio ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
IL Volo with Loredana Bertè.
Piero, Gianluca, Ignazio and Diodato
With the mascots of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Gianluca and Ernie, with the three composers of Capolavoro.
I really believe that in any case our dear Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca also had a lot of fun in Sanremo, this is the spirit of friendship that must hover in all competitions.
Of course there were many bitter pills, but also many happy moments. and among these we remember Gianluca’s birthday, the day after the end of Sanremo.
And then on Sunday, after the Festival ended, all the singers were guests of Mara Venier on the “Domenica In” show, right there at the Sanremo theater, and therefore I propose the passage of Il Volo.
I will explain to you in a few words what happened.
Mara welcomes them with affection and when she discovers that it is Gianluca’s birthday she makes everyone sing happy birthday.
The kids enter and politely greet everyone, even the journalists sitting to the left of the screen
This show takes place every year the day after Sanremo and journalists can ask questions or even make compliments. The journalists with Il Volo in 2015 were biting and rude, in 2019 Il Volo did not attend the show, because due to the shouting and bad words from the press room, they immediately left Sanremo.
Mara shows a clip of the cover evening and compliments the boys. No compliments from journalists.
Mara says that they are international artists and bring Italian music to the world.
Piero specifies that it is not they who bring Italian music, but IT IS ITALIAN MUSIC THAT ALLOWS IL VOLO TO SING IN THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS PLACES IN THE WORLD.(Piero took away quite a bit of stone.)
Mara says that Italians are proud of Il Volo and thanks them for what they do.
Ignazio plays down because Piero was in front of him and Ignazio says: “Anyway, I’m here too” and makes everyone laugh. Mara apologizes because Ignazio felt excluded.
Il Volo sings Capolavoro!
After the song Gianluca resumes a discussion that the journalists had with the singer who entered before them and that is Geolier, who came second in the final, is the one who won the evening of the covers and the journalists asked him a few harsh questions and some of them defended him.
Gianluca says that being tough makes you grow and bring out the best (it almost seems like he’s saying that when they criticized Il Volo no one defended them and some journalists said they had to accept them because they make you grow. -Gianluca has saved himself a stone -)
The journalist in the front row (who first defended Geolier) turns to another journalist and says: “Have you seen that they are intelligent? Good and intelligent.”
Mara changes the subject by saying that Ignazio told her that he is getting married.
Gianluca says that he and Piero won’t sing at the wedding and then Cirilli who is an impersonator gets up and tries to imitate the three voices of Il Volo.
Mara gives the flowers to Ignazio who takes them to a girl in the audience. Hugs and kisses to Mara as she greets the boys.
Ignazio thanked Mara for always being sweet to them and hoping that their message of union and respect for their 15-year career has reached everyone.
Then he says goodbye and before leaving he says to the journalists: “The singers sing, and don’t scream.” (because some of them wrote that Il Volo screams…another stone removed)
Honestly, I felt a little embarrassed. The boys did well to make it clear that they are no longer 15 or 20 years old. In my opinion, I believe that they participated in the broadcast only for Mara, but with the obligation that the journalists did not ask questions, in fact, only to Il Volo, they did not ask anything.
I’m so glad our guys didn’t let their feet run over their heads. Well done.
A last interview done in Il Villaggio del Festival. The interviewer is a journalist and critic Michele Monina, who years ago was really very fierce in his criticism of Il Volo, particularly during the Notte Magica period. But then in 2019, Monina personally met Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca and they made an excellent impression on him. From that moment on they were friends. After Sanremo, Monina and Il Volo had lunch together talking about Sanremo. (turn on subtitles)
There are also some satisfactions, like this ranking published by vocal coach Salvatore Cilia – Voce al Top, those who know music appreciate voices!!
Sanremo has just finished, but I just think that they are still publishing the interviews done in recent days. Truly a week of exponential media exposure.
We will talk more about Sanremo, and there will still be some nice interviews, but for the moment that’s all and I want to greet you with this beautiful photo published by Il Volo.
Daniela 🤗
“We hope that our message of union and mutual esteem has arrived from the Sanremo stage, especially since a lot of respect is needed in a group.”
THANK YOU for being with us, once again, on this incredible journey.
We all watched intently as each concert was performed live on May 1st and 3rd. So many people were Live Streaming. It didn’t take long before the entire concert was on YouTube.
Mediasetinfinity, Canale 5 in Italy
Then we waited for the concerts on Mediasetinfinity. Of course, there were many people streaming which was good because most people don’t have Italian cable.
Many of you immediately noticed a difference from the live concert to the televised program. People were saying but it was raining and now it’s not. That’s because when it was edited, the two concerts came together and then were split into two programs. They did a great job of editing. They gave us two absolutely amazing programs. Two nights of sheer pleasure! Double the Pleasure!
Let’s move on to the venue ~ the Arena di Verona.
The introduction of the first concert makes us aware of where we are in this vast world. We are small among the treasures of the world that span time and eternity! It’s always amazing to see the Arena di Verona from above. It gives you a sense of time immortal.
The Verona Arena is a Roman amphitheater built in 30 AD. It is one of the best-preserved ancient structures of its kind. In ancient times, the arena’s capacity was nearly 30,000 people. Concerts and operas demand a lot of stage space so for performances today the space has decreased. The maximum capacity today is approximately 22,000.
The voices that rise from this amazing Arena resound throughout the city and pass well into our lives by the videos and programs produced within its walls.
There has never been a moment that the guys were on this stage that we didn’t feel the enormity of their voices. This Arena was meant to be a place where performers like Il Volo could show us their amazing worth, their amazing voices.
There is a gradual crescendo as their voices rise from the stage to the walls of antiquity and encircle the Arena spinning high into the night sky; forever captured in time and space!
Il Volo forever!
On to the Stage
The stage is totally awesome. It’s like watching two concerts. There is so much going on behind the guys that I think they even stop to look once in a while. Lights have become a big part of their production.
The motions in the background produces unbelievably beautiful scenery. It is constantly changing. Using backgrounds that are in motion elevates the experience by creating movement towards and away from the entertainer. It is the means by which the audience is drawn into the production. It adds dimension and life to the presentation.
Of course, the audience also participates in this background production when they join in with the lights of their cell phones. Think of how impressive it is to see a sea of lights before you while singing. A treat for the guys!
The Orchestra
When Marcello Rota walks on the stage the production is ready.
Marcello Rota is an Italian conductor. Some of the famous Orchestras he has conducted are the Asti Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, the Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana, the orchestra of the Munich Staatsoper, the Berlin Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Moscow Philharmonic, the Buenos Aires Philharmonic, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Besides Il Volo, he has collaborated with Andrea Bocelli on his numerous world tours.
On September 27, 1997, on the occasion of the 23rd National Eucharistic Congress, Rota participated in the mega-concert at the Caab in Bologna, with Bocelli and several other artists including Bob Dylan. They performed in the presence of Pope John Paul II.
His lyric repertoire includes over 40 titles, notably by Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, Verdi and Puccini.
In both concerts, the guys opened with Granada. The perfect song to open with. Granada adds to the majesty of this amazing arena because it is a song that spans time. It always pleases and the way our guys sing it is amazing. Above all, it was the perfect place to present their new version of this amazing song. They reintroduced us to their three amazing and, so we found out, very different voices. Classical, Soul and Pop!
After singing Grande Amore, the guys introduced their first guests.
The Pooh is an Italian band that came together in 1966 in Bologna. When Il Volo started out, they were the first group to invite them to sing in concert. They are very close friends, and our guys love them and appreciate all of their encouragement over the years. The guys sang a medley of Pooh songs. Tanta Voglia di Lei, Pensiero, Chi Fermerà La Musica, and Uomini Soli.
After the performance, Pooh gave this advice to the guys:
We have never followed trends, don’t do this either and you will always be personal.
My advice instead is this, there are three of you, alone you represent 30%, instead together you represent 3000%, this is the strength of the group, remember this.
I believe that the Pooh’s real success was a little talent and a lot of passion, the same talent and the same passion that I see in your eyes and in your career, and this is a good sign for you.
Beautiful advice from beautiful people. They certainly know Il Volo!
Next we meet the beautiful Frederica Panicucci who will be the presenter of the concert.
Federica explains that during the evening Il Volo will show unpublished moments with solos and duets they never performed before. It will be their way of showing their different personalities.
Yes Federica is right, that night was different because we’ve heard these voices before but not in the way we heard them that night. The guys introduced us to their personal feelings about their music.
A great example of this is in Ignazio’s words before both concerts:
In the first concert Ignazio said, “I’ve always loved great female voices….”
And in the second concert he said, “I will try to take a trip to the most beautiful female songs in the world tonight.
When Ignazio said this, he brought me back to his childhood. If you recall in Ignazio’s story he talks about meeting Lilliana Adreanò, his singing teacher, for the first time. She asked Ignazio what kinds of songs he likes to sing and Ignazio replies, “You know, Liliana, I like to sing Giorgia’s songs.” Lilliana said: “Strange for a kid to sing this kind of song.”
So, it seems Ignazio still enjoys singing these (female) songs. And why wouldn’t he? He is the only one of the three that can sing that kind of song because they are songs that require a strong voice that is very clear, crisp and very lyrical and a lot of passion must be put into each song! I think I just described Ignazio’s voice! Let me add and, “very soulful!”
We meet the real Gianluca in his rock mode and he introduces us to his feelings for Elvis, Sinatra, Dylan and the Beatles.
Piero brings us his perfect operatic voice. Whimsical and joyful. He has a great love and sincerity for this music. Opera is in his soul. He opens up that soul to us in these concerts with arias we have never heard before.
Amid a thousand points of light that sparkled like stars in the night sky, our guys were the brightest stars on the stage. They showed not just their love for one another’s music but their love and appreciation for the music of the other performers.
During their solos, the other two guys sit on the side stage and listen. In these moments, we see the admiration these men have for one another. Truly amazing!
This was a nice way of presenting each of them.
I remember Piero saying, in his story, that when he did a solo he couldn’t wait for it to end when Ignazio and Gianluca would return. He has to love this new arrangement.
These concerts were different. They show a beautiful evolution from where the guys were to where they are now. Their new direction! Their future!
This new arrangement is thrilling because there is a lot of feeling in the music. The songs they have sung from the beginning have always had feeling but in a different way.
Here we feel each man’s thoughts, ideas and mindset. In the soul of each man there is a longing to bring you their music unlike you’ve ever heard it before. It is the movement within their souls when they sing. They were restless to release these feelings and make you feel what they feel. They bring a feeling of sheer bliss to each note in each song. Think about expressing your feelings for someone you love. Put that to music and you have each guy’s mindset.
Of course, they have not departed from their Bel Canto.
Now let’s listen to some of the beautiful solos that we have never heard before.
Let’s start with Piero singing Viva il Vino Spumeggiante (Long Live the Sparkling Wine) the beautiful aria from Cavalleria Rusticana. This is one of my favorite operas and every time Piero sings one of the arias, he brings joy to my heart. His voice is so ready for La Scala.
Gianluca choses Bob Dylans song Knockin’ on Heavens Door to express a feeling of loss and grief. It is a very poignant song, and we can feel Gianluca’s heart in it. A very beautiful delivery!
Ignazio sings a Loredana Bertè medley. From the pop of Sei Bellissimo (You are Beautiful) to the very reggae of È Luna Bussò (The Moon Knocked) Ignazio is singing out his soul.
Reggae is a music style that was strongly influenced by American jazz and rhythm and blues. Like Loredana, Ignazio was inspired by jazz and rhythm and blues. Both Loredana and Ignazio were fans of Pino Daniele. In fact, Loredana sang with Pino Daniele. No wonder this was a choice for Ignazio. Loredana is the sister of Mia Martina who Ignazio dedicates Almeno tu Nell’universo to. This is truly the soul of Ignazio!
Ignazio with Fiorella Mannoia accompanied by Danilo Rea on piano sing the very sophiscated pop song Una Ragione di Più (One more reason)
Gianluca and Irama sing the very beautiful La Cura (the Cure) which was written by Italian songwriter Battiato. He wrote the song for his lady when he discovered she had a serious illness. Gianluca and Irama sing this song from depths of their hearts.
Piero and Aida Garifullina sing Libiamo ne, i lieti calici from La Traviata. This is an absolutely delightful and whimsical delivery. Notice how comfortable Piero is on stage with this amazing soprano! The voices blend beautifully!
It’s time for a great comedian, Giorgio Panariello.
Giorgio tells us the plot of the film Nuovo Cinema Paradiso by Giuseppe Tornatore.
This is followed by the guys singing Se.
After they sing, Panariello returns to have some fun with the guys!
Panariello tries to convince the boys that being three is not good and proposes himself as the fourth element for Il Volo.
He challenges the guys to sing Nessun Dorma with him to see if he wins the role of the fourth Il Volo. He repeats VINCERÒ and in the highest moment, he doesn’t sing he says, “I will win….a draw is enough for me”.
Of course, Ignazio get hysterical!
The guys and Panariello sing an Italian song Il Pullover and now we can truly witness four amazing entertainers who can sing and joke together.
I am a longtime fan of Panariello and I am happy he was included in this concert!
When Panariello leaves, he says “But we are friends……(it’s true they are)….don’t call me anymore in your concerts!”
Panariello is a very funny man with a very dry sense of humor that makes you laugh out loud!
Over the last few years, the guys have been singing Hallelujah. Before they begin the song, Ignazio explains how the guys feel about this song.
Ignazio:Now is a very emotional moment for us, we have decided to sing this next song to reach all the people who have suffered in these years, to all the people who continue to suffer, and to all those people who unfortunately today, we, they watch from up there. Let’s hope that our song, our thoughts, can reach them up there.
There are no words! One magical moment and people respond by lighting up their hearts through the lights on their cell phones.
This song goes deep and touches everyone’s heart. No need to change voices here, you can feel the guy’s voices in this song.
Let’s go back to some duets!
The guys mix it up with Antonello Venditti. They sing Che Fantastica Storia è La Vita (What a Fantastic Story Life is). They can sing anything with anybody!
Back to two amazing songs L’Amore si move and Musica Che Resta. These are two songs that I love and they never sing in New York. Are you listening guys?
Federica returns to the stage for her next round of questions. She immediately asks Gianluca what gift Piero would like to receive on his birthday. Gianluca replies, “a nice tennis racket,” of course, Ignazio jokingly says that he would have given him “a watering can for the flower on his jacket!”
Next, Federica asks Ignazio what superpower Gianluca would like to have and Ignazio replies “the power to lengthen his legs.”
She then asks Piero to tell some funny story of Ignazio and Piero replies, “In Vienna Ignazio greeted the public saying….‘Good evening Berlin.’ ”
Federica compliments the boys on the tour they just finished and a video of beautiful images starts. Federica asks what is the best memory.
Gianluca:Seeing people’s faces is oxygen for us and a privilege. We are young and we are living the life we have always wanted to live, and it is amazing how this music overcomes the barrier of language, and reaches all ages, and we are proud to be able to give these emotions to all of you.
At this point they do a tribute to Italian singer-songwriter: Sergio Endrigo.
This is just a part of the tribute. You can see the complete tribute in the full video of the concert below.
A few solos before I close.
Piero singing Voglio Vivere Così reminds me of Sunday mornings at my grandparents’ house. After church my grandparent would put on all their favorite operas and we would listen to them while we had breakfast. My grandparents loved opera and Neapolitan Songs! They would have loved Il Volo!
Magnificent! I feel Pavaroti in Piero’s voice!
I talked about Ignazio’s tribute to Mia Martina. Now I present it because we all need that moment when Ignazio brings down the house. Oh, excuse me he does that in every solo! God bless his amazing voice!
Gianluca presents a Beatles medley. Gianluca is becoming very comfortable in this new direction! His fondness for 50’s, 60’s and 70’s music seems to be his niche as he is moving forward!
Orietta Berti is a pop and folk singer whose popularity began is the 1960’s. She is revered in the entertainment industry as is evident when she steps on the stage and Ignazio bows and praises her. In 2021 Fedez, Achille Lauro and Orietta Berti published a hit song Mille. In a duet with Ignazio Orietta sings Quando L’amore Diventa Poesia.
I can think of no better way to end these concerts than with an icon in the music industry. The guys were honored to sing with Orietta.
So how do I end this story? I’m finished but it is not over. Two new collaborations came out of these concerts. The guys will sing in concert with Pooh and it seems they are anxious to have Aida Garifullina back in concert. Aida wrote in her story today, “Thank you! There is more to come.” I’m sure with the success of these two concerts there will be more concerts like these in the future!
And where did we leave the guys? With their new Classical, Soul and Pop sounds we will follow them to the ends of the earth in any direction they choose. We always knew that they were phenomenal individuals. We knew they had heart, and we always knew they gave their all but now we know that they can Double the Pleasure of their performances with their individually and personal feelings and lead us to Double the Pleasure in every concert!
As always, I use Daniela’s translations because they are the best. Daniela has posted the first translation of the concerts and the translation of the second concert program will be posted soon.
Thank you to Alessandra for compiling the Playlist for me! After the playlist you will find the second concert program.
First concert playlist…. – Granada – Grande Amore – Medley of Pooh’s songs: Tanta voglia di lei, Pensiero, Chi fermerà la musica, Uomini soli – Almeno tu nell’universo (Ignazio) – Suspicious Minds (Gianluca) – Viva il vino spumeggiante aria da Cavalleria Rusticana (Piero) – Nessun dorma – Meravigliosa creatura (Piero e Gianna Nannini) – Surrender/O’ sole mio – When the party’s over (Ignazio e Francesca Michielin) – Io che non vivo – Shallow (Gianluca e Annalisa) – My way -La cura (Gianluca e Irama) – Ovunque sarai (Il Volo e Irama) – Libiamo ne, i lieti calici da La Traviata (Piero e Aida Garifullina) – Se telefonando – E lucevan le stelle da Tosca (Piero) – Se – Hallelujia – Voglio vivere così (Piero) – My heart will go on (Ignazio) – Girotondo intorno al mondo – What a wonderful world (Gianluca) – Piove – Knocking on heaven’s door (Gianluca) – Les pecheurs de perles (Piero e Gianfranco Montresor) – My immortal (Ignazio) – Here’s to you
Second concert playlist….
– Granada – Il mondo – Medley of Venditti’s songs: Alta marea (with Gianluca), Amici mai (with Ignazio), Ricordati di me (with Piero), Che fantastica storia è la vita (all together) – Sei bellissima/E la luna bussò (Ignazio) – Crazy little thing called love (Gianluca) – La mia canzone al vento (Piero) – Una ragione di più (Ignazio with Fiorella Mannoia and Danilo Rea at the piano) – Un amore così grande – Geordie (Gianluca with Madame) – A chi mi dice – Can’t help falling in love with you (Gianuca) – Miserere (Piero with Mario Biondi) – You make me feel like natural woman (Ignazio with Mario Biondi) – Ancora – L’amore si muove/Musica che resta – Addio alla madre da Cavalleria Rusticana (Piero) – Nel blù dipinto di blù – E poi (Ignazio) – Angel (Gianluca with Aida Garifullina) – Una poesia anche per te (Ignazio) – Quando l’amore diventa poesia (Ignazio with Orietta Berti -No puede ser (Piero) – Medley of Beatles’ songs: The long and winding road/Yesterday/Hey Jude – I will always love you (Ignazio) – Caruso
Now for your listening pleasure The Second Program of the Concert…
Two years ago, I wrote a story about the history of music in Naples in order for the fans to understand why the guys sing Opera, in their case Operatic pop or popera and Neapolitan songs and why their Bel Canto worked!
This story was really two stories in one. It was about Il Volo and their music, and it was about where their music came from and the people who made this music famous.
I am going to give you a small portion of that story so that we can follow this journey that will lead us Beyond Bel Canto.
Italy is an emotion and in the center of that emotion is a passion and that passion is Naples. Naples is like no other place in Italy or, for that matter, no other place in the world. Neapolitans are the most diversified people in all of Italy. Naples is a feeling you can never shake but, above all…
Naples is music!
The first Neapolitan songs as we know them, date back to 1835 but the golden age of song, in Naples, was from 1890 – 1910 when immigration to America began. Men left with the dream of a better life but what they found was even harder than what they left. They left their homes and families, and, in some cases, they never went home again. They found themselves alone with nothing but their music.
Many Neapolitan songs were written about these times. Most of these immigrants lived in New York City in lower Manhattan in an area which became known as Little Italy. Small music companies would put on one act plays. Little vignettes. The stories were always the same, they were about home and family. They were about the mother they would never see again.
In 1903, Enrico Caruso made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
Caruso’s debut on November 23, 1903, was in a new production of Rigoletto. A few months later, he began his lifelong association with the Victor Talking Machine Company. He made his first American record on February 1st, 1904, having signed a lucrative financial deal with Victor. Thereafter, his recording career ran in tandem with his Met career, both bolstering each other, until his death in 1921.
Torna A Surriento ~ Not Caruso! Actually, the version I prefer!
Caruso was the first international singer to come to America. He introduced America to Italian Music. He loved to sing Neapolitan songs and they were so popular that when he performed at the MET at the end of the show he would come out and sing these songs. Among these songs were “’O sole Mio,” “Torna Sorrento” and “Santa Lucia.” As a result, Neapolitan songs became a part of an opera singer’s repertoire and every opera singer after Caruso would sing opera and Neapolitan songs.
Music in Naples remained the same until after World War I. At one-point singers were taxed for singing but that’s a story for another time!
With the arrival of US troops in World War II, Naples woke up to a new beat. The US troops introduced them to the buzz and rhythm of jazz and boogie, and Naples immediately liked it. It took little time for performers and songwriters to understand how these new US imports could benefit them.
Now it was time for a new name to appear in Neapolitan music. Enter, Renato Carosone. Carosone introduced Naples to music they could dance to and so Naples got up and danced and never looked back until the late 1970s when a new movement was started in Naples.
I would not do Neapolitan Music or Il Volo justice if I didn’t mention Pino Daniele.
Pino Daniele was an Italian singer-songwriter, and guitarist, whose influences covered a wide number of genres, including pop, blues, jazz, and Italian and Middle Eastern music.
Daniele made his debut in the Italian music world in 1977 with the album Terra mia, which was a successful mix of Neapolitan tradition and Blues. Daniele defined his music with the term “tarumbò”, which indicated a mix of tarantella, blues and rumba.
Daniele’s talent is evident in albums like Pino Daniele (1979) but, he scored his greatest success in 1980, with “Nero a metà,” which was noted by some authorities as the hallmark of the rebirth of Neapolitan song.
Daniele wrote and sang his own music, and this music was known in America.
I started this piece by saying Italy is an emotion and Naples a passion. If Naples is a passion, that passion was Pino Daniele. Songs like Napulè, Quando and Quando Chiove are just a few examples of his songs. Examples I chose because I know you know these songs. They are very deep passionate songs. Many artists have sung Daniele’s songs but in order to do justice to a Pino Daniele song you have to bring passion, emotion and Neapolitan dialect to the song.
Enter Ignazio Boschetto….
Ignazio’s tribute to Daniele is amazing and emotional.
Ignazio’s rendition of Alleria is one of the most beautiful expressions of this song I have ever heard.
Daniele’s songs are very deep and very emotional, and you can feel the depth of the song because of the presentation of the song. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, it’s as if Daniele wrote his songs for Ignazio.
So now let’s move on to 2009 when three Italian teenage boys revolutionized the music industry and brought life back to Opera and Neapolitan music. They were the first Italian artists in history to sign a contract with a major American music label. This was unheard of! No international artist or group ever captured the ear of an American music label before even stepping foot in America! When they came to America, they had a signed Universal Music contract in hand!
They presented Operatic pop or popera to America. What is this movement? It’s singing Opera in a more classical style. While opera is very strict and regimented, popera is more ethereal it has a lighter feeling, and it moves freely. It takes away the hard edges of opera and replaces it with a more ethereal feel while still presenting the drama and the high notes of the opera. It has a more popular appeal. This along with the classical Neapolitan songs become a big draw. Why did it work? One reason is three amazing voices! If the voice wasn’t there the song wasn’t going to sell.
Over the years the guys continue to change and evolve finding new directions and taking lots of risks! With their win at Sanremo, they finally opened the last door, their front door ~ Italy. For Il Volo this was a very important win because it brought their music home!
We stop along this amazing journey to see departure points.
In 2018, it was time to crossover!
The albums keep coming, the success keeps coming and the boys have grown into very attractive young men. And now they’re ready for a new experience. The music evolves and they are ready to crossover.
In 2018 they released one of the most exciting Latin albums to come out in years. I would go so far as to say Amame is the most exciting Latin album that was ever produced. It’s opera, its rock, it’s classical, it’s pop and it never stops giving. The rhythm in songs like Noche Sin Dia is amazing. You have to move with the music. You can’t sit still.
Maldito Amor is a phenomenal experience for your ears. The delivery is smooth and beautiful. It’s one of those songs that stays with you forever.
This album is so exciting that I will not play it while I’m working because from the first note you have to get up and dance. Exciting! Exciting! Exciting!I thought about this album and how I would write about it. These three amazing guys absolutely floored me. The beat is so intense and they are spot on. I think the guys knocked it out of the box with Noche Sin Dia. With Latin music you don’t just sing it, you feel it and if you don’t feel it, you don’t cut it. This album cuts it! Good move!
As if that wasn’t enough, they follow up with Musica!
This is the album that proved that great can get greater. This album is representative of where these young men are now. It’s beautiful, it’s sensitive, it’s romantic. It’s about love. It’s about them being ready for love. It comes from deep within them. All the sweetness and humility of these guys is in this album. It moves your senses. What I am saying is they have evolved, and their voices have evolved. They’ve grown into their voices. Their voices are mature and have expanded in such an amazing way. There’s an intriguing balance in their voices. To experience this amazing evolution in voice and song you need go no further than “Be My Love.” Gianluca’s voice vibrates and expands to realms I’ve never heard before. Ignazio makes your heart stop as you journey along his notes which lead to absolute ecstasy. Piero fills all your senses and brings you to such heights that you have to stop and breathe. This is Musica che resta!
And then it’s time for a new direction! A new risk! Il Volo sings Morricone was that new direction. No, they didn’t leave Bel Canto behind, instead, they moved forward and added Morricone’s music to their repertoire.
This project started with their desire to pay tribute to Ennio Morricone. What better way than to present an album of his Academy Award winning songs.
Morricone died at the beginning of the COVID pandemic and because of this, it gave the guys the opportunity to go through his songs and compile a list of songs that would give a true representation of who Morricone was. In the beginning of their career, the guys sang E Più Ti Penso accompanied by Ennio Morricone.
Most of Morricone songs where movie theme songs like The Ecstasy of Gold from The Good, the Bad and, the Ugly. The guys along with the Morricone’s family and in particular Andrea Morricone put words to music to form an album which has become the theme of their new World Tour, IL Volo Sings Morricone.
There are so many wonderful songs in this album that it is hard to single one out. The Ecstasy of Gold is Gianluca’s favorite. Se from Cinema Paradiso is Piero’s favorite and Here’s to You from Sacco & Venzetti is Ignazio’s favorite.
And so, we move forward.
This year the guys recorded a new album Tres Voce Un Alma. This album like Amame is phenomenal. It includes some very beautiful Spanish songs like Abrazame and Tan Enamorados. And let’s not forget the Portuguese song, Come Vai Voce. The tour that followed in South America proved that they are phenomenal entertainers whether singing in Italian, English or Spanish!
So, I touched on the different directions they’ve gone in over the last 14 years, but now we must look to the future!
A New Direction!
Almost 15 years have passed since they came together and what they’ve done in those years is amazing. When they began they were unique. There was no one else like them. And they began to grow first musically by leaps and bounds. And they were constantly changing. They were always ready to try something new! From Bel Canto they formed relationships and feelings more musically than personally. They started to climb, not to stardom, that they always had, they climbed the ladder of success. Over the years they grew together in their relationship, and they grew apart in their music. They began to feel their music in their bones. They began to understand how their music works together but also how it works apart. In music you need freedom. In Bel Canto they have freedom because they feel it in their blood, and no one can separate them from it. But now they are ready. Each man has found themselves Beyond Bel Canto. They are now expressing who they are in relationship to their music.
It’s the dawn of a new day. It’s the beginning of finding a new way of keeping all that you treasure in place while exploring the road ahead. So, on the dawn of this new day, we find a new idea. An unsual idea. A new approach. Staying together while being apart. And even in this they are successful. Most of the time when a group comes to this awareness they part ways. Buy no not our guys, they are coming together in music, in life and in their relationship with a new approach to concerts. A sharing of ideas and feelings and a sincere support for one another’s music and talent. An amazing feat that only three totally phenomenal guys could accomplish.
They have been together as long as they have been apart.They know only one life, for good or for bad, it’s the life they’ve shared for 15 years. The important thing is it’s been very good for them.
Is it risky? For some yes, but for them no. They’ve taken so many risks in their career and they always succeeded. Ignazio might say but there was “Eurovision.” To me Eurovision was a win. A success. If the rules had changed one year earlier instead of one year later, they would have won.
Anything good is worth fighting for. And fighters they are. Consider how they mulled over Sanremo to go or not to go. That’s who they are. They are risk takers, but they think everything through. They don’t need managers or producers they know how to handle everything. They consider every possibility and then move ahead when they find the right fit.
While they were on tour in South America I was touring South America and I listened to their concerts whenever I was able to get them on board the cruise ship. I was reading everything that everyone was posting and what I noticed was every night after their concerts and on their free days, they were in Ignazio’s room recording. I couldn’t understand why they were doing this while traveling from city to city and concert to concert. What were they recording? New songs? Maybe there was going to be a new album. If so, why not wait until you get home and record it in the studio. But they weren’t recording songs, they were recording sounds. New sounds! Their new sounds! A new way of presenting their voices to us. They took the songs we were familiar with, and they recorded them with their sound. We already know what the voices are about, but they wanted us to hear their personal sound. They were preparing for their new concerts! They wanted us to hear what they hear when they sing! They wanted us to feel what they feel when they sing! They took songs like Grenada, broke it into pieces and presented it in a new way! Classical, Soul and Pop! Suddenly a voice that we know and a song that we know becomes a new song with a new expression.
Right out the gate we have Piero our beautiful spinto tenor singing Granada as we know it as we are used to it but with just a little more feeling and a lot more voice!
Gianluca stuns us with his version of Granada. He brings back visions of Sinatra singing Granada. I’ve included Sinatra’s version here so you can understand what I’m saying. At point 1:00 in the video you can hear Sinatra sing what Gianluca is singing and understand what I’m saying.
Gianluca I know you admire Sinatra and that is well accepted and received but honestly, if Sinatra was alive he would admire you! He never had your range!
And then there is our beautiful lyrical tenor, Ignazio! Ignazio always lets us ride on his notes to ecstasy, but this is different. His voice has that extra punch. His voice is so smooth, so clear, so defined and his range is outrageous! He pierces us with each note and pulls us forward with a rhythm that evades definition! So natural! Such ease! A production in itself. Gianluca said “Ignazio is soulful. He can do anything!” So true! So true!
They’ve taken Bel Canto and turned it into a new sound so you can hear the songs we know and the words we know but with a fresh new approach. In their voices we feel, and we understand who they are and their new direction. They wanted to show us who they are individually. Not that we never heard them sing alone before, but they wanted us to feel the song in a new way.
What does it mean and where are they coming from with this new sound. It is three amazing men showing us they are more than three amazing men, with three phenomenal voices. They show us collectively and individually who they are with an amazing new sound.
I’m sure much of this new direction took shape during Covid when the guys had lots of time to think about their future and where their music would fit in it!
Let’s look at each guys new sound.
Which one of the three has stayed closest to his voice over the years. No doubt, it’s Piero because Piero always had a direction. It was always about his love of opera, and since Covid if anything good came out of it for Piero, it was the opportunity to study more. We find Piero ready to step on the stage of any opera house in the world.
Ignazio spent his time during Covid studying sound, how it works in a recording studio and all the elements of producing a song. This is how he was able to do the recording in his room during the South American Tour. His voice is a new sound in itself! He’s taking all that’s inside him, all that he feels and he’s laying it on the table for us to experience. He opens his heart to us in his music. His expression is from his heart, and he delivers a new sound that is even more phenomenal than before! Very soulful! The sincerity in his music was always there it’s just more apparent now that he has the freedom to express it in his own way!
For Gianluca he was finally able to take piano lessons. We all know that for Gianluca every day is about finding new music. During this time, he found his niche. He wanted to come closer to American music. Elvis and Sinatra. This was always something that was there for Gianluca but now he was really ready to move forward.
What do the guys have to say about all of this. Our Daniela translated the interview from SORRISI E CANZONI TV. In this article the guys talk about where they are and how they got here. I am not including the whole article.
How did the idea of these two evenings come about?
Ignazio: Our personal tastes go beyond what we sing. We are experiencing an evolution in our group.
Gianluca: Il Volo remains the priority, however the lineup of the two evenings has been designed in a coherent way to show who we are.
Piero is the tenor of the group, he studies opera and dreams of one day interpreting for it.
I, on the other hand, love American music like Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, John Mayer with his guitars, but also Italian songwriting like Fabrizio De André.
Ignazio has a soulful voice and can do anything.
You will sing both alone and with other artists. Can you give us some examples?
Gianluca: I will sing Geordie with Madame (Italian singer), because we both love De André, with Irama (Italian singer) La Cura by Battiato (Italian singer-songwriter) and with Annalisa (Italian singer) Shallow by Lady Gaga.
Piero: I will sing Miserere with Mario Biondi, and with Gianna Nannini Meravigliosa Creatura.
Ignazio: I will sing with Francesca Michielin (Italian singer). I know her artistically. She is very good at reaching people with her words. We will talk about love.
And then with Mario Biondi I will sing Natural Woman and Sei Bellissima, alone with the guitar. Ah, I will also duet with Orietta Berti! (long career Italian singer).”
Piero: And we will sing with Pooh (Italian group), we will almost be a soccer team!
Gianluca: We would like to say that we are three singers, not just three tenors. But obviously we will also re-propose our classics.
Piero: We will open the show with Granada, but in different versions: classical, soul and pop, us three, like our personalities.
The last time we met was October 2019, to celebrate the collection of THE BEST OF TEN YEARS. In these four years, three of which due to the pandemic, what has happened in your lives?
Piero: We have dedicated ourselves to ourselves. This stop has helped me a lot to clarify my ideas and -set myself up- for the future. I have deepened my studies of opera.
Gianluca: I rediscovered reading and studied the piano, as well as being with my family.
Ignazio: I too started studying, I fell in love with sound, with how a recording studio works, with how a song is produced. I spent time with my loved ones.
For years we have been in the midst of a storm of commitments, emotions and compromises. It was important to stop and understand what we wanted to do.
Gianluca: We are working on a new album. Then in October we will conclude the dates of the world tour that started in May 2022. After three years of standstill, we are back in a big way, without neglecting any continent. We have been everywhere: Australia, Japan, South America, USA, Europe and now we have added a date in Petra, Jordan. We have done more than 100 concerts. It is our longest tour ever. We had so much fun. We returned to the stage with a new awareness, enjoying every moment.
Piero: The public waited for our return for four years, they didn’t abandon us. This is a further confirmation of the people’s affection.
So, the guys have told us what their new direction is. Now, I must change direction and follow a new idea with three amazing guys who are always changing yet always remaining the same. Bel Canto will always be their MO but from here on in, they will also share their personal musical journey with us. Their unique voices will now be unique new sounds that will draw us in in a whole new way! Next week I will present the new concerts and the new sound Beyond Bel Canto.
For you listening pleasure….
The Concert at Verona Arena
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
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Credit to owners of all photos and videos.
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