The evening of November 5th, here in Italy, an event was dedicated to Pavarotti: PAVAROTTI 90, recorded at the Arena in Verona on September 30th, it was broadcast on television on Canale 5. The live event (which I already previewed with an amateur video filmed live during the evening) featured numerous guests, including Il Volo, who performed two songs, and now I’m re-proposing it to you with the Canale 5 video.
The evening was hosted by Michelle Hunziker, Il Volo will sing Capolavoro together with three sopranos and will follow with Granada.
MICHELLE = And now this special moment, in the spirit of “Pavarotti & Friends” (Pavarotti & Friends was a charity musical event organized for ten years between 1992 and 2003 in Modena by tenor Luciano Pavarotti and his second wife Nicoletta Mantovani to support humanitarian causes), six fantastic artists, three women and three men, will join their voices for a duet that will become a sextet.
Together with Marion Battistelli, Carmen Gianatasio, and Giulia Mazzola we welcome with applause: Il Volo! (Il Volo enters amid applause).
Ladies and gentlemen, at Pavarotti 90: CAPOLAVORO.
MICHELLE = Thank you to Marion Battistelli, Carmen Gianatasio, and Giulia Mazzola (the three sopranos exit).
Guys, come here to me, good evening. What a pleasure to see these kids that I saw when they were very little. We were on stage together at Wetten Das in Germany (2013), and now you’re a father, Ignazio!
IGNAZIO = Yes, now I’m a father, and it’s a wonderful thing.
MICHELLE = Why don’t you sleep anymore, you asked?
IGNAZIO = No, I don’t sleep anymore, but when you imagine becoming a father, you think… yes, I won’t sleep… and maybe you see it as a negative thing. Then you realize that even if you don’t sleep, and you watch him or give him milk when he wakes up in the morning, everything, every sacrifice is worth it in the end, you get the idea!
MICHELLE = It’s true!! Guys, I’m so happy to see you here. What’s it like to be here and sing for Luciano Pavarotti?
GIANLUCA = It’s a great privilege for us. It all started with Pavarotti, who brought this music out of the theater, even to the public, to a large audience all over the world, mixing various musical genres, and then came Maestro Andrea Bocelli. We’re proud to be able to bring this music to even the youngest audiences and to continue doing so, hopefully for the rest of our lives.
MICHELLE = And you’re doing it divinely, I’d say. I’m a huge fan of yours, you know that (it’s true, she’s a great friend and fan of Il Volo).
PIERO = Thank you! We never had the chance to meet Luciano Pavarotti, but we can say he inspired us, he was the one who inspired us to do what we’re doing, and we try to do it in the best way possible, with a smile, but above all with love and passion. (applause)
MICHELLE = Guys, I’d say you can come back to center stage because you have another big surprise for us, right?
IGNAZIO = Yes!
MICHELLE = You can head to the center of the stage, please (the song will be conducted by Placido Domingo, who is filmed hugging and replacing Maestro Leonardo De Amicis, who, I remind you, conducted our guys during Ti Lascio Una Canzone).
On the podium, an exceptional conductor: Placido Domingo (hugs with the guys).
Il Volo sings: GRANADA.
Il Volo conducted by Placido Domingo, the maestro who directed this beautiful Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Orchestra. These young men, full of energy and vitality, had the pleasure of being conducted by the maestro. (Long applause and bows from Il Volo and Domingo.)
It was a great honor for us to be able to pay tribute to Maestro Pavarotti.
Thank you.
These are beautiful thoughts captured backstage.
IGNAZIO = It was an emotional evening, also because Pavarotti means so much to us; he means inspiration. He’s one of those artists who, over the years, has taught us not to place limits on music or taste.
GIANLUCA = I believe it’s right to remember the man who moved the world. As long as we live, we will always strive to carry this music forward, with our voices, even for the younger generation.
PIERO = The man who brought opera to the general public, thank you, Luciano!
While I’m in Berlin for Tosca, I’m thrilled to relive the extraordinary evening at the @arenadiverona for Pavarotti 90, together with Il Volo, @mariambattistelli, and @giuliamazzola96, to celebrate Maestro Luciano Pavarotti.
His art, his humanity, and his voice continue to accompany us, inspire us, and unite worlds and generations. 💫
A truly beautiful event, a precious memory for someone who lived for music.
Our guys, as always, were impeccable: talented, handsome, elegant, and histrionic, because they know how to keep their cool even on important occasions.
And here I am, listing our beloved trio’s latest events at the end of September.
The most notable event was undoubtedly the performance in Rome at the Vittoriano (Altar of the Fatherland) on the occasion of Saint Michael the Archangel, patron saint of the Italian State Police, September 29th.
The Vittoriano, or Altar of the Fatherland, is located in Rome and is an imposing national monument constructed of white marble. Its majestic appearance and central location in Piazza Venezia make it one of the symbols of Rome.
For those unfamiliar with the Vittoriano, or Altar of the Fatherland, it is a complex built between 1885 and 1935. It has represented the unity of the country since November 1923, when the body of the Unknown Soldier was buried in the heart of the Vittoriano.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located inside the Altar of the Fatherland (Vittoriano) and commemorates the Italian soldiers fallen and missing in action in the First World War. The body was chosen from eleven anonymous bodies and was buried on November 4, 1921 (Armed Forces Day in Italy). Since then, it has been guarded by soldiers, representing the symbol of all the nameless fallen.
In this splendid setting, Il Volo performed accompanied by the Police Band and in the presence of high-ranking government officials.
Il Volo sang three songs: Grande Amore O Sole Mio Nessun Dorma
Here is their performance. The presenter is Lorella Cuccarini, the charming showgirl who also hosted one of the concerts in Mantua.
LORELLA = I wanted to take you back 35 years, because 35 years ago, not far from here—I’m talking about the Baths of Caracalla—there was a concert, an evening event that has become iconic and has gone down in history: the Three Tenors concert.
Why do I say this? Because tonight we have the privilege of likely experiencing another moment that will leave its mark on history, because three artists take to this stage who, like the Three Tenors, come from an operatic background but have then chosen to intertwine it with popular music. They are three extraordinary voices, three artists who are the envy of the entire world. There’s only one name, but I’ll name three to introduce them all personally: Gianluca Ginoble Piero Barone Ignazio Boschetto a.k.a. Il Volo!
(applause—the performance begins with Grande Amore and O Sole Mio)
GIANLUCA = It’s truly an honor to be here with you this evening. A big round of applause for these wonderful musicians, the band, and the maestro, please. Thank you, thank you so much.
PIERO = The pieces we’re performing are pieces we’ve inherited, part of our cultural heritage, and belong to all of us. The next piece is perhaps the world-famous aria, written by composer Giacono Puccini, from Turandot: Nessun Dorma! (applause)
LORELLA = Phenomenal, Il Volo, my goodness, but I’ve already told you, how good you are, my goodness, thank you, thank you to all our teachers, thank you to Maestro Billi, you’ve truly given us something incredible.
Then you can use these, nothing happens. (She means they can use the microphones on the stand to speak too.)
PIERO = Do we have to talk?
LORELLA = Yes, you have to talk, can I let you speak for once?
IGNAZIO = Absolutely.
LORELLA = Because only if you sing.
IGNAZIO = In case we speak while singing, (he says a few words in a lyrical tone) Tell me… How? (laughter)
LORELLA = I wanted to thank you on behalf of the State Police because I know you’ve worked so hard to be here this evening. Tell us what your days are like and where you need to be in half an hour. (She’s referring to all the commitments that Il Volo has had over the past two days.)
PIERO = No, let’s not talk about it, they’re normal (always very discreet and don’t like to brag).
LORELLA = But at least the public will appreciate you being here (meaning it was difficult to be here due to commitments, but Il Volo is here).
IGNAZIO = Let’s just say we’ve been together for 16 years now, and we’re used to the hectic life, and we’re enjoying it, so it’s nice to always be on the move. But there’s always a great deal of affection for the State Police, and it’s a huge honor for us, It’s a pleasure to be able to collaborate and share music with these great professionals and people.
LORELLA = Have you ever been to this place?
GIANLUCA = No, never, in fact it’s a privilege to have these experiences at our age.
LORELLA = Isn’t it breathtaking? (From that level of the Vittoriano, it’s like being in a square with a view of the panorama of Rome, truly remarkable.)
GIANLUCA = These are indelible experiences that will remain in our memories. We hope it’s not the last time. We’re always here for you, and thank you for giving us this immense opportunity. (applause)
Maybe we’ll come back here with a concert of our own. We look forward to seeing you all.
LORELLA = Sure, the capacity isn’t great, but if you’re doing an event for television…
Speaking of the hectic life, I’d like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Ignazio, who recently became a father.
IGNAZIO = This joy, he has only one month!
LORELLA = Excuse me, I’m taking a moment with him (Ignazio), especially to see how he feels, how he’s doing, if he’s sleeping…
IGNAZIO = No, he doesn’t sleep, but I think many of you already know that, he doesn’t sleep, but all the sacrifices are worth it when he looks at you, smiles at you, we grow together…
LORELLA = You’re crushed…
IGNAZIO = I’m completely in love, I’m in love again, that’s it!
LORELLA = I’d like to know how these two uncles (Piero and Gianluca) behave? Gianluca?
GIANLUCA = I take him with me every now and then, then you’ll see.
LORELLA= You take him with you, should we be worried?
GIANLUCA= Yes, he (Ignazio) worries a little.
LORELLA = Why don’t you trust him?
IGNAZIO = No, not him.
LORELLA = You trust Piero more.
GIANLUCA = I’m more of a child than your son sometimes.
LORELLA = So wait a few years.
IGNAZIO = I’ll wait more than a few years.
LORELLA = Piero?
PIERO = But, maybe I was born to be an uncle, so I’m totally ready.
LORELLA = But are you ready to be nannies too?
PIERO = Can I say that? Then you should know that I think it’s right to be proud of our relationship, because singing and spending a professional life together for almost 17 years isn’t a given.
IGNAZIO = Be a team.
PIERO = And in today’s society, being a team isn’t very common. (applause)
LORELLA = I’d almost say become a family.
PIERO = Regardless of our achievements, our careers, we can say whatever we want, but what we’re most proud of is the maturity between us, the respect between the three of us, and that’s what we’ve tried to do since day one. Listening to each other, finding a compromise, and moving forward. This can’t be done just for our own interests, but because there’s respect, there’s love, and one thing … maybe it’s the first time we’ve said it, and I’m thrilled because the three of us, beyond being colleagues, love each other…
IGNAZIO = We love each other…
GIANLUCA = We love each other very much…
(In Italy, to love each other -AMARSI – is only understood as a couple, to love each other -VOLERSI BENE- is understood as great affection.)
LORELLA = Okay, we understood (that it’s about great affection).
PIERO = I rarely get emotional, but three weeks ago, when Ignazio’s son Gabriele was born, Ignazio asked me to be his son’s godfather, and so I think this is a “strong” gesture. It really touched me, and I also think it’s a message for young people in the individualistic world we live in.
I think sending this message of unity, strength, and teamwork… is like an orchestra; without a conductor, all these talented professionals couldn’t play together. So, I have so much hope in young people, in our peers. I’m no one to give advice, but let’s try to prove this with our actions.
LORELLA = You truly are a beautiful family, thank you again, best wishes for everything, for the future. Another huge round of applause for these phenomena: Il Volo.
IGNAZIO = Thank you, thank you all.
PIERO = Thank you.
LORELLA = Thank you guys!
GIANLUCA = Thanks, see you soon!
Il Volo also performed the Italian anthem: Fratelli d’Italia!
It must have been a truly remarkable event, in the presence of many dignitaries and from the top of the Vittoriano steps where you can see a beautiful panorama of Rome, as Gianluca sends us with these videos and photos.
Immediately afterward, Il Volo is expected at the “Sistine Corridors” for another event, the GLOBAL SUMMIT 2025 World Travel & Tourism Council.
But what are the “Sistine Corridors”? They are the oldest hospital wards in Europe.
The historic hospital wards commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV Della Rovere for the Jubilee of 1475 are within the ancient complex of Santo Spirito in Sassia (Rome).
Traditionally considered the largest and oldest hospital complex in Europe, with its eight centuries of history and over a thousand square meters of frescoes, they are just steps from St. Peter’s, within a fully operational hospital.
In practice they are long frescoed corridors, where the sick were hospitalized.
One of these lanes now hosts events, and it’s where Il Volo performed.
There are only a few photos of the evening, but it was a very important event on an international level.
And then immediately Il Volo in volo to Verona where they are expected for the memorial to Pavarotti.
September 30th, their arrival at the Arena for rehearsals.
And here, thanks to a video from music_freizeitparks_travel, is Il Volo’s performance.
The event, which featured numerous guests, was hosted by Michelle Hunziker. The evening was filmed by Rai1, but no one yet knows when it will be broadcast. In the meantime, enjoy this video where Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca sing “CAPOLAVORO” alongside three female opera singers, and then, alone but conducted by maestro Placido Domingo, “GRANADA.”
My goodness, so many important engagements in just a couple of days! Before the one in Rome for the Police, Il Volo had performed in Naples at the Hotel Excelsior Vittoria for a private event, of which we offer you this short video.
In short, Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca are highly sought after for high-profile events, certainly also because they embody, in addition to their splendid singing, sound principles. Congratulations again, guys; your efforts over these 16 years are bearing fruit.
But I want to conclude with a look at the family’s new “little one,” Gabriele, who was photographed out for a walk with his mother’s family.
This shot with mom Michelle is so sweet.❤️💙
And what about this sweet shot of Ignazio and Gabriele? ❤️💙
See you soon with the first concerts in South America!!
March started very well here in Italy, in the evening on Canale 5, we were waiting for the previously recorded episode where Il Volo was a guest of Michelle Huzinker in the MICHELLE IMPOSSIBLE program.
It was all wonderful, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca perfectly at ease, but you will see for yourself from the long video.
A splendid Michelle comes down the stairs and makes a long speech to introduce Il Volo.
MICHELLE= Do you ever think about the moment that completely changed your life?
That moment when everything changes in an instant, when we took that train, that decision, or accepted that job, that’s the moment that started a series of events that led us to where we are today.
And if it had gone differently what would it have been like? Would we still be with those people we know today? Or would it be completely different? Because in my opinion the people we have around us are very important and are a turning point, they are fundamental in the meetings we have, and this is why we must be careful, we must pay close attention to the opportunities that present themselves, because the meetings that we do, they can change our existence, and fate is unpredictable.
(The very sweet notes of MICHELLE MA BELLE begin and Il Volo enters and goes down the laddersinging Il Volo, kisses and hugs )
GIANLUCA= Good evening.
IGNAZIO= Hello everyone.
PIERO= Hi Michelle.
MICHELLE= IL VOLO !! ❤❤❤
GIANLUCA= Did you hear that serenade???
MICHELLE= But guys, what an entrance, thanks!
PIERO= In English it doesn’t make it, but in Italian: you are beautiful!!
MICHELLE= You too, you too, and then I’m always very happy to have you here, come and let’s settle down here on the staircase we sit down with a grace. (it’s not very comfortable to sit on those steps)
GIANLUCA= We are all super bright. (All four are wearing elegant and bright suits by Armani)
MICHELLE= (Ignazio remains standing) Please, Ignazio, take a seat.
IGNAZIO= I am admiring your enchanting-ness. (he says it by mangling the word in Italian )
MICHELLE= Wow, that’s too many compliments! I am super happy that you are here, because I think back to the first time we met…….
IGNAZIO= (He starts to sit down) Help!
MICHELLE= Ignazio, you’re very young, look, this is the first hint of seniority.
IGNAZIO= It’s not the age problem, it’s the size problem. 😁
PIERO= The first button Ignazio, unbutton.
MICHELLE= They have never changed, because I met them for the first time in 2011, think, they were very small, I presented WETTEN DASS in Mallorca …. (At the bottom of this long post is the video of Wetten Dass )
GIANLUCA= Our debut on international television was with you.
MICHELLE= Yes, I was hosting this program in Germany, by the way it was broadcast in Germany but we were in Mallorca. Next to Il Volo were : Cameron Diaz, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Lopez…
IGNAZIO= Ah, I remember her well. (Jennifer Lopez)
MICHELLE= You remember her well, eh….and then there were them singing, you realize that they left abroad, that is, they were born here, but they immediately hit the international stages and this is an incredible thing, because it’s not something that happens to everyone in Italy.
PIERO= Us….our story is particular, because we didn’t know each other…
MICHELLE= Exactly…
PIERO= We met in 2009. We live together….it is in all respects a coexistence, because we have been living together for the past 14 years…
IGNAZIO= Unfortunately yes (ironic-laughter). 😁
MICHELLE= Yes, but I really want to understand, because before, I told the audience about the “sliding doors” issue, i.e. you met by chance. Tell us for a moment that moment when you met, i.e. did you really understand that it would have changed your life?
IGNAZIO= But I think that, as you said, being at the right time, in the right place is fundamental, because in any case there are so many talents all over the world, in Italy, especially we have beautiful voices, and we were lucky enough to find each other in the same place, in the same year, because we met on a children’s television show, and from there they put us together. But it was our decision to say: “OK, let’s continue together”, because in any case we, yes, we are a group, but we are three singers put together, that’s it.
MICHELLE= I understand, but let me understand something, you started your experience, you were put together and then you walked the most important stages in the world. Suddenly you were international, but between you, you had immediately that friendship could spring…
GIANLUCA= The thing that struck me is that there is this similarity, very strong in us, because music, like any form of art, allows you to express what you have inside, and it’s truly unique as a sensation, all the anxieties, all the emotions that we live, and singing is a way to express emotions, and we have this strong thing in common, this strong emotion and this passion for music that unites us in an indissoluble way.
PIERO= But the beautiful thing is that the emotions you feel on a stage are unique, indescribable, and the beautiful is being able to share them with someone who in that instant comprehends and understands those things….
MICHELLE= …. what that you’re living. They sang with Barbra Streisand, tell me, Barbra Streisand, then Laura Pausini, Eros Ramazzotti, you sang in front of the Pope, after singing with everyone, you go back to Italy and win Sanremo, and that was one more step, you became prophets at home.
PIERO= We used to come back to Italy only for holidays. 😑
MICHELLE= Really??
PIERO= We couldn’t digest this thing, but…..
MICHELLE= In what sense?
PIERO= We only sang abroad, America, South America, Japan… and in Italy, you know it’s always pleasant to sing for your people, for your countrymen, and therefore we had the opportunity to have the GRANDE AMORE song in our hands ……
MICHELLE= Wow, that’s a wonderful song.
IGNAZIO= But we never told you the story, you also wanted some gossip…
MICHELLE= Yeoh, give me some gossip…
IGNAZIO= The audition of GRANDE AMORE arrives and one thinks: “Wow, mamma mia, what a piece” ….. I didn’t like it, not even Piero…
PIERO= That’s not true!
IGNAZIO= No, the only one who liked it was Piero, he went crazy, Gianluca and I didn’t,….because the audition arrived strange, it was sung by a tenor and a soprano and lyric singing, so we got into the study…
MICHELLE= And you two (Ignazio and Gianluca) who are not as lyrical as Piero, didn’t love this piece so much.
IGNAZIO= Not for the lyrical fact, but because the piece didn’t reach us….
PIERO= But there was that refrain (he articulates it with his mouth), which stayed in my ear, and I said let’s try it, it doesn’t cost us anything, let’s just waste one day of our lives….
IGNAZIO= We sat there with Celso Valli (arranger), Michele Torpedine our manager…
MICHELLE= So you won Sanremo thanks to Piero, though!! (She pronounces the phrase in a Sicilian way – applause)
IGNAZIO= Let’s not exaggerate.
MICHELLE= Then Sanremo, a nice extra piece. then at a certain point you also find yourself in international situations, crazy international parties, where you met Beyoncé…anyone, but you were scared…..
IGNAZIO= Her too I do not forget! (Beyoncé)
MICHELLE = Oh yeah? She has a beautiful voice.
IGNAZIO= She’s beautiful, apart from the fact that she’s a crazy singer, she’s very good…
MICHELLE= It’s the queen…
IGNAZIO= But then she is a beautiful woman, really very beautiful.
MICHELLE= Yes, I imagine. Then you went home and you were afraid to tell this because you thought they didn’t believe you anyway.
PIERO= Our friends thought we were crazy, because we were 15/16 years old, we went home, I repeat on vacation, I was ashamed to tell my friends that we were at those parties…
GIANLUCA= Let’s say that flaunting is always wrong, both knowledge and material things, we certainly don’t boast.
PIERO= I used to tell my brother, my sister and that’s it.
Later, over the years, as time went by, we showed some photographs.
MICHELLE= It was a matter of delicacy.
GIANLUCA= But the secret is just that, in the end, for how many things can happen to you in life, like totally changing the path, we always live it with that innocence, just without ever forgetting, that child that is within us, which is the most important thing.
MICHELLE= For this reason you are so wonderful, huh! (applauded)
Like that time when at some point you escaped the fans, and you found yourself in the kitchen with a girl named Lady Gaga.
PIERO= Yes, get Ignazio to tell him.
GIANLUCA= We were at a big event in New York, in 2016/2017 if I’m not mistaken, and we were guests of this big event where Lady Gaga was also there.
He (Ignazio), at a certain point, after the performance, after the evening, the gala, says: “I’m going to sleep, I’m sleepy.”
MICHELLE= Well done Ignazio!!
GIANLUCA= He goes to sleep and instead we spend a nice evening with Lady Gaga. He missed this experience.
MICHELLE= But why did you go to sleep?
IGNAZIO= No, but I told them I was going to sleep…..
MICHELLE= Ahhhhh…….
IGNAZIO= I think you can understand me, each of us goes through periods in our lives where you are particularly passive….
GIANLUCA= (addressed to Michelle) Why are you passive??
PIERO= Can one be passive at 23???
GIANLUCA= He was 23!!!
MICHELLE= Passive in what sense?
IGNAZIO= (He got up) Let me breathe.
MICHELLE= You mean introspective, that you had a particular period?
IGNAZIO= I breathe and I answer you.
MICHELLE= You are very elegant.❤
IGNAZIO = Thank you very much.
MICHELLE= You’re not breathing but you’re fine. 😁
IGNAZIO= There are those moments where you ask yourself questions, I’m like that, it happened to me, but I think it happened to many people, that period comes when you stop and ask yourself who you are, what you want, if you’re in the right place, and I had that period where I wondered many things and I was also very closed off, and therefore I isolated myself a lot, I never went out with them. I went through that period and I have to say it’s nice to be a group, being three of us helping each other overcome difficulties and obstacles and therefore it was lucky to find ourselves in three. I finished my concept.
MICHELLE= Beautiful!! (applause)
PIERO= Can I say one thing? Just one thing, I ask the director to give me a close-up with Michelle, just a moment, where is the camera?
MICHELLE= Sure, why?
PIERO= I would like to tell my friends: “I’m in the right place.”
MICHELLE= Ah, what a charm. (applause) Ok, a little more gossip. Who happened to find his autograph on the calf of a Vololover??
IGNAZIO= On the calf!
PIERO= We were in the United States, the morning of the concert I go on the treadmill to run and while I was running, I saw this lady next to me, we say goodbye, I run with earphones, I see it and I think I know that signature there, it was my autograph, here, tattooed like this (and he marks at the end of the calf).
MICHELLE = Crazy, incredible! (applause…..you all must know that the woman Piero is talking about is Marie Crider, a founder of Flight Crew. When I had the pleasure of meeting her, she herself told me about this moment with Piero. Shealso wrote about this meeting with Piero in a post, and she also took two photos of Piero, you can read everything here, at the bottom of the post)
Piero says it was his signature, in reality was written IL VOLO” ☺
MICHELLE= I understood that all three of you are truly fantastic, but now, as life has brought you to be together, in this small juncture, while you are here at MICHELLE IMPOSSIBLE and I want you to do an impossible mission, that is to separate for a moment and ask yourself a little what it would have been like if these three guys hadn’t met, they would certainly have made a career as soloists, but they would have had different tastes from each other. Ignazio, what would you have sung, would you have entered opera?
IGNAZIO= If I were alone and could choose a musical genre, what I like most, I would opt more for pop …. R&B (type of music rhythm and blues)
MICHELLE= Oh, really??
IGNAZIO= Yes!
MICHELLE= You would have become an R&B pop singer.
IGNAZIO= Yes, yes.
PIERO= But he has an incredible vocal reach.
GIANLUCA= He is the Freddie Mercury of Marsala. (applause)
MICHELLE= But you are also, the boys told me, that you sing girl songs very well.
IGNAZIO= I’ve been trying for a few years to carry on a project, in our concerts, where I like to sing songs, let’s say made famous, brought to success by women and which maybe have never been sung by a man .
MICHELLE= I believe you, because the others fail.
IGNAZIO= But not for that.
MICHELLE= No guys, I’m telling you, I’ve heard it, he doesn’t like compliments so plug your ears, but he sings amazing female singer songs, without changing the key……Maestro, we want put Ignazio to the test and bring him to the centre, we want to see him alone, in a context…..
IGNAZIO= I change some keys, also because otherwise I would sing like the Cugini di Campagna (Italian musical group that sings in falsetto)
GIANLUCA= Which we say hello to them.
MICHELLE= Go Ignazio. So, only here at Michelle Impossible will we enjoy a beautiful piece…..
IGNAZIO= Wait while I take the stand. (of the microphone)
MICHELLE= We are here that listening to you: ALMENO TU NELL’UNIVERSO, an easy, easy song !! (Ignazio begins to sing) – at the end applause, standing ovation) ❤
MICHELLE= Piero, instead you? Let’s sit down again for a moment, (she laughs because it’s tiring to sit down) “Whoever wants to appear beautiful, must suffer a little,” then Piero, instead you, since you were little: pure lyric, you always have loved the opera, is it true?
IGNAZIO= (he too tries to sit down with difficulty) Ouch Ouch….
GIANLUCA= Again eh!!
PIERO= As a child I immediately rediscovered my vocation for opera, it was passed on to me by my family, and my plan before meeting them (Ignazio and Gianluca), because we met in the pre-adolescent phase, was to finish high school, enrolling in the conservatory and embarking on a course of study to become a tenor, that was my life’s goal.
MICHELLE= But in fact, even now you study 3-4 hours a day, because you train your voice, in the depths of your heart it’s as if you wanted to go there……or in any case you keep yourself trained because it’s a dream in the drawer or do you leave it there, in the sense that you’re already satisfied with what’s happening and you continue to train like this because it’s a passion?
PIERO= I think it’s right to be satisfied with the work you do, but never lose that ambition which is that extra stimulus that makes you alive and gives you that motivation when you wake up in the morning, to always do something more.
MICHELLE= That’s the beautiful thing: the goal in life. (applause).
So what would your dream be? Leave them (Ignazio and Gianluca) alone, leave diplomats “politically correct” alone, what is your dream?
PIERO= I don’t believe much in dreams but I believe a lot in goals. This is one of my goals, I don’t know if I will succeed in my life one day, but I will try to make this wish come true.
MICHELLE= But tell me, because that day I want to be there to show you the tape of this moment. What is the opera stage you would like to tread, the most important one for you.
PIERO= Definitely an Italian theater, more than anything else I’d like to debut with an opera: La Traviata, L’Elisir d’amore, one of these.
MICHELLE= And I think it will happen, meanwhile it happens here with Michelle Impossible, I ask the director please to transform this stage into a great Italian opera house, because they are the most beautiful in the world. Maestro, are we all ready?
PIERO = Wow, I go! (The stage has turned into a theatre – applause)
MICHELLE= Present us the piece well! The piece you will sing.
IGNAZIO= Can I do it?
PIERO= Go, go, you do it come on!
IGNAZIO= Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the second edition of Michelle Impossible, (Michelle corrects Ignazio’s pronunciation)…..I’m introducing, so leave it to me….. Now Piero Barone, a member of the Il Volo group, will delight us, charm us, amaze us, and in any case he will sing…
PIERO= Do you also want the tax code?? 😁
IGNAZIO=……one of the most famous, most important arias in the history of opera. Taken from TOSCA, E Lucean le stelle (applause, Piero begins to sing) ❤
MICHELLE= It’s nice to hear them sing alone, to hear how they are different from each other, in their character.
Gianluca is missing. In any case incredible. (turning to Piero).
PIERO = Thank you.
MICHELLE= I can’t wait to see you on one of those stages and I’ll be the first to come see you.
GIANLUCA= Everyone in the front row.
MICHELLE= The first really.
PIERO= Promise!
MICHELLE= We said it here. (applause)
MICHELLE = Gianluca…
GIANLUCA= Shall we sit down again?
MICHELLE= No, no now it’s your turn. We heard from Piero and Ignazio, what would you have done, in this moment, let’s say alone?
GIANLUCA= But honestly I’ve always wondered over the years, because knowing each other is difficult, I’ve had periods of confusion. I grew up listening to both Bocelli and Elis Presley and Bublé , Alex Baroni who I loved to death (an Italian singer ) so it was always a world between pop music and … but classical music has never been part of me, let’s say. Then I found a great inspiration in Elvis Presley…
MICHELLE= You mean you’re singing to me something about the great Elvis?
GIANLUCA= I’ll try (applause)
MICHELLE= So the stage is all yours and I would say transform it at this point…Elvis isn’t exactly from New York, but we want to bring people to America. He (Elvis) never got out of America, he wished he would…
GIANLUCA= He went to Germany to enlist..
MICHELLE= But never to sing.
GIANLUCA= He has never sung in Europe, exactly.
MICHELLE= Then you’ll do it now for him.
GIANLUCA= I try, humbly, I try, I go!
MICHELLE= Please. (applause). So at this point Piero, do you want to announce Gianluca?
PIERO= Ok! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the second edition of Michelle Impossible….
MICHELLE= Perfect like you said it!! (Piero and Michelle make fun of Ignazio)
IGNAZIO= Crafty (untranslatable) can you tell on TV?
MICHELLE= Nowadays, yes.
PIERO= We welcome Gianluca who will sing for all of us: Can’t Help Falling in Love. (applause, Gianluca starts singing) ❤
GIANLUCA= Thank you (applause and standing ovation) Thank you all, thank you Maestro, thank you to all the musicians.
MICHELLE= Guys but you’re giving me emotions, here the heart …. gives way, I have no one to make out with, it can’t be like this. (laughs)
I tell you one thing, but even during rehearsals, there are few artists who have ….plug your ears (she tells Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, because she wants to give them a compliment), they seem to be recorded singing because they have perfection, because they study. Then you understand why they are so appreciated abroad, they are international, and I am happy that you are returning home, because now you are in South America at this moment and therefore you have come from South America especially for me.
GIANLUCA= But do you know what the most exciting thing is? Me as a child when I was on the sofa and I looked at you crazy, in love….
MICHELLE= Don’t say that I feel old… “when you were child”…. 😁
GIANLUCA= I wanted to pay you a compliment, (applause), I wanted to pay you a compliment….when I was a teenager…
MICHELLE= Come on, kidding!
PIERO= No, wait, Gianluca showed me his TV from when he was little, it was still in black and white! (laughs)
GIANLUCA= I wanted to say that before being famous, that sounds better, I watched her on television and I was in love and now we are delighted to be here with you.
MICHELLE= Thanks!! (then she turns to Ignazio). Leave the Maestro alone. Ignazio, look, Maestro Chiaravalli is very jealous.
IGNAZIO= But you’re mean, calm down!
MICHELLE= He’s jealous of his cube.
IGNAZIO= This is the reason why your hair fell out, calm down, you are too agitated. (jokes)
MICHELLE= No, because Ignazio, I’ve already touched this little cube here in the first episode several times, the Maestro doesn’t want to because he says things happen….
IGNAZIO= Can’t I touch it?
MICHELLE= You can’t touch it, because if you touch it, things happen.
IGNAZIO= Like?
GIANLUCA= (addressing the people) Aren’t you curious now?
AUDIENCE= Yes!!
IGNAZIO= (to Michelle) What are you laughing at, explain to me.
MAESTRO= (Piero tries to touch the cube) No, no, no, you can’t touch it.
MICHELLE= The beauty is that everyone you say “you can’t touch” wants to do it.
PIERO= You have become famous, we saw it in a television programme…..
MAESTRO= Yes, but you mustn’t touch this, please, because this is a mechanism….
MICHELLE= Look at them, look at them….but now are we the whole transmission here with the cube?
IGNAZIO= But can you touch it? I mean….
MICHELLE= I could touch it, but I’ll leave it alone because I know what could happen.
IGNAZIO= Let me see what happens.
MICHELLE= Try it then, if you must.
IGNAZIO= But you do it. Let me see what happens.
MICHELLE= Me? No, if I touch him, it’s happy. (laughs) You touch it first, go. (applause) Please go if you must. (Ignazio crushes the cube, but there is only one raspberry)
IGNAZIO= Oh, just like that?
MICHELLE= You touched it wrong, when you touch it wrong it happens like this.
PIERO= Can I?
MICHELLE= Go, go. (Piero squashes but only a raspberry). You have to touch it with feeling, understand?
PIERO= (addressing one of the laughing audience) You, I’ll see you later (jokes).
MICHELLE= Feeling, do you want to see how it is with feeling? Are you ready?
IGNAZIO= Go! (Michelle crushes and nothing happens)
MICHELLE= So?? But did something unspeakable have to start?
MAESTRO= Evidently there wasn’t the feeling that there should have been.
IGNAZIO= I’ll take care of it…with feeling we said (Ignazio brings the cube and crushes it with his forehead)
PIERO = Good night…..
MICHELLE= Enough let’s go on…..(but Ignazio starts singing sweet Notting Hill, Gianluca immediately joins in while Michelle and Piero dance
MICHELLE= All right guys the time has come for my request as a Vololover, for me and for my mum, you must do me a great pleasure, you know I wrote you a message before winning Sanremo and I wrote you that you would have won, I brought luck, so now I would like you to sing Grande Amore for me and for my mother, Ineke, who is at home.
PIERO= Before singing Grande Amore I have to tell you two things: 1= we sing it only if you sing it with us….
MICHELLE= Alright.
PIERO=…. 2= the project that we presented this evening to sing individually and then always gather together, which is our strength when all three of us sing together, we will present this project which is called TUTTI PER UNO (ALL FOR ONE) in just two evenings on this network Canale 5 in May.
MICHELLE= Ah, a big event on Channel 5.
GIANLUCA= We will go back to the Arena. (I already have tickets for May 1st ☺)
MICHELLE= I can’t wait.
PIERO= And it’s called UNO PER TUTTI – ALL FOR ONE…… tonight’s was a completely organized scene….
MICHELLE= But don’t say that….
IGNAZIO= Anyway, don’t delete our (telephone) numbers if we go back to Sanremo, who knows, you’ll write to us again.
MICHELLE= Of course. (laughter)
IGNAZIO= So you sing with us?
MICHELLE= But if you want to take that risk…
PIERO= Have you reviewed Grande Amore?
MICHELLE= Yes, in the dressing room, I reviewed it again, now I’m like real singers who wear inears. (Ignazio knelt down to give her the microphone)
PIERO= The proposal is being made to you.
MICHELLE= Then I am like Blanco who doesn’t hear anything (Blanco is a singer who didn’t hear the music in the inears at the last Sanremo).
Ok, how do we position ourselves?
IGNAZIO= As you wish, do you want to stay here, do you want to stay there.
PIERO= Maestro!
MICHELLE= I would like you to be united, I want to put you back together, because this moment is solemn, and every now and then I get into the song.
IGNAZIO= All right.
GIANLUCA= We are about to sing Grande Amore with Michelle Hunziker (applause)
MICHELLE= I can’t wait! Maestro!
IGNAZIO= Maestro! (Grande Amore begin)
MICHELLE= Il Volo (applause)
Thank you, you are fantastic! But how can you not love this song and these guys.
GIANLUCA= But thank you.
MICHELLE= I would like a man to dedicate these words to me looking into my eyes and tonight you did it in three….
IGNAZIO= Tell me that never, that you will never leave me. (he quotes the lyrics of the song)
MICHELLE= How good you are, a big round of applause again for Il Volo!!
Carry on with your tour in South America.
IGNAZIO= Thank you! One very quick thing: thank you, because you are one of the few people who makes us feel really good, makes us feel spontaneous, and makes us feel at home, so thank you very much, you are a wonderful person. Obviously they don’t know you at home, like maybe as well we know you and you really are a wonderful person. Thank you so much for inviting us!
MICHELLE= Do you want to make me cry?
GIANLUCA= But it’s true, it’s what we feel.
PIERO= It’s the truth.
IGNAZIO= Thank you musician, thank you so much you are amazing. Many thanks to all of you (to the audience) because you are the most important part and every artist owes so much to their audience, because you are the reason why we do this job.
GIANLUCA and PIERO= Thanks!!
IGNAZIO= See you in May.
MICHELLE= We get ‘em out with the final chorus of Grande Amore, come on, let’s get ‘em out big!
I don’t want you to go out like this, I want you to go out great. (final chorus of Grande Amore begins, greetings to all) ❤❤❤
This still image on PC was sent by Piero from Ecuador to show that they were watching MICHELLE IMPOSSIBLE from Ecuador.
It was a really beautiful program. Michelle, an elegant, kind and nice hostess, immediately put our treasures at ease, who gave their best, both in speeches and in songs.
Great to have them exhibited individually and then join them in the final. I’ve read many enthusiastic comments about their performances, from people who wouldn’t have listened to them like Il Volo, but seeing them separately, not only listened to them, but were pleasantly impressed by their undeniable skill.
I had fun translating everything for you, even if I fell behind with the descriptions of the concerts in South America. I can’t wait to see Il Volo in May at the Verona Arena.
Have fun everyone, I’ll add other things at the bottom that you will surely enjoy seeing and reading!!
Daniela 🤗
Il Volo to WETTEN DAS 2011
And here is the beautiful post made by Marie in 2014 after meeting Piero in the hotel gym.
It’s really fun to read about Piero wanting to take a picture of Marie’s tattoo and her asking Piero if she can take his picture.
You will have fun reading it and seeing how young Piero was!!
Marie, if you read today’s long post you’ll be happy to know that Piero hasn’t forgotten that moment and still talks about it today.
A big hug Marie !! ❤😘
Click on Marie’s Excellent Adventure title below to view the post.
It seems since the new concerts have begun the guys are having lots of fun! My thought was, why let the guys have all the fun! We should have fun too. So, after writing about the Partita del Cuore last week, I went back and found some funny and entertaining videos. One of the videos actually was a follow up to the Partita del Cuore.
It seems that Alex Del Piero, had taken a picture with Piero after that fantastic play by Piero at the Partita del Cuore, and the other guys were not included. Del Piero said he felt bad about it. But no problem, he made for it up on House Party.
I know many of you have watched House Party on YouTube when the guys were on. For those of you who have never seen it, the host is Michele Hunziker.
Michelle Hunziker is a television host, actress, singer, and former model.
In 2016 while Michelle was the host of House Party, Il Volo appeared on her show. The guys along with Michelle performed with many famous and interesting performers. Among them, Alessandro Del Piero, who they played against in the Partita del Cuore, one of my favorite Italian actors, Giancarlo Giannini, songwriter, singer and musician Gianna Nannini, singer Mario Biondi, singers Benji & Fede, among others.
We start our story today where we left off last week. The guys playing soccer with Alex Del Piero. Only this time, they are teams with Ignazio pairing with Del Piero and Gianluca pairing with Piero. Let’s go to the video to see how the match turned out….
Before the game began, Ignazio told Del Piero about his childhood when he played soccer with his friends. He said, “when I was a little boy behind, my house, there was a place we call nu puzzo (the well of water), this is the place where I played soccer with my friends.”
Of course, we remember this from Ignazio’s story about his childhood.
Ignazio continues, “since we are here with Alex we will pretend together. We will play some great football together.”
Michelle says, we have two teams Juventus and the rest of the world. Let’s Go! Ignazio and Del Piero for Juventus! And Gianluca and Piero for the rest of the world!
The game certainly needs no explanation with the exception of Piero saying his mistake should not be counted.
Del Piero said, “no sorry, sorry, sorry.” Even when Michele tries to reason with Del Piero in defense of Piero, he says, “no!” He won’t hear of it.
Of course, Juventus won! So, Ignazio asked Del Piero to autograph his arm. And he joked, next time you will sing with us, yes?
Of course, when they were on the show they always sang. On one occasion they sang with Italian singer, song writer and musician, Gianna Nannini. Gianna and the guys sang, “Meravigliosa Creatura,” a song that was written by Gianna.
If the name Nannini is familiar to you it’s because Gianna is the elder sister of former Formula One race car driver Alessandro Nannini.
On some occasions Michelle would ask the guy’s questions about their career and family. On this occasion, Michelle randomly drew questions out of bowl.
Let me tell you what some of the questions were before you watch the video….
Michelle explains, the questions were suggested by the audience. When Michelle mixes the questions in the bowl, she says he hopes they didn’t ask silly questions, like what is your favorite color.
What did you do that was strange on stage?
Gianluca: It is not something that I did. It is something that someone in the audience did. (Gianluca playing around the words)
Michelle wants to know what it was.
Gianluca doesn’t quite know how to say “bra” because it seems out of place.
Ignazio finally says, “what harm is there to say bra.”
And Piero says, “when you go to the store to buy a bra don’t you say bra?”
Gianluca (continues): I was singing, and I go to finish.
Michelle (interrupts): Did it hit you?
Gianluca: No, no it hit my microphone while I was singing, then I looked at it and there was a phone number in Spanish because it happened in Mexico. And when I read it, it said “call me when you want.”
Michelle: Did you call?
Ignazio (jokes): But, no, he didn’t call because it was a man.
Michelle draws a question and puts it in her mouth. She says it is not appropriate!
Which one of you is the most gifted but not in the singing sense.
Ignazio: I can answer? Can I answer?
Piero: No, it is dangerous.
And Piero continues by starting a whole conversation about boys’ shoes. He says, “I must tell you it is equivalent to the size of the boys’ shoes, and he says Ignazio’s shoes are size 46.” They turn the whole question into a hot discussion.
Michelle has enough and she stops them. I think she feared where the answer might go!
Michelle goes back to the bowl.
Michelle: I see two simple questions. Okay, I will give you one of my own questions because I want to ask about when you perform in front of all those people.
In short, you sometimes have (an audience of) 30 – 40,000 people and it can happen in stadiums, how do you feel?
Piero: I think the emotion I feel as an artist is an indescribable thing. You find yourself in front of all those people. I think it’s a great fortune and we thank all the people who grant us this, them and all the people who love us every day.
Michelle: It is a great thing and then the beautiful thing is that you have remained with your feet on the ground because you know that is, is it not? You also have a very nice family behind you.
Ignazio: I think family is absolutely, important, they were the first to believe in us, no? And thanks to them, huh, we chased our dreams without ever making it an obligation. No, because many times it can happen that parents push their children too hard. The best advice I can give to parents is, just to have your children always chase their dreams and leave them free and let them live, let them chase even making mistakes, but there are you who maybe you can help them because that’s it. We are, we are lucky in double, no? We are lucky because we always have the opportunity to shoot with so many wonderful people, but we are also lucky enough to work.
Michelle: But working doing what we love doing, what I really like doing you should never have thought you would arrive there when you were I don’t know 10
Gianluca: As long as I never thought about the fact of how it happened, I sing because I like it and I feel like I’m really only 13, 14 every time I sing, I get on, I imagine me as a little one with that first emotion when I went up on a stage at my house in front of my house also in front of my family, I always feel the same way. And it’s nice, it’s nice to be here with you too.
Now let’s listen to the guys sing with another great Italian singer ~ Mario Biondi!
In one episode, Michelle asks the question…What would your career be if you weren’t a singer?
Piero: What would my career be? It happened very early I was 14/15 years.
Michelle: but have you seen Sliding Doors? Here’s how, if your life hadn’t been this what kind of job would you have wanted to do right?
For Piero, the answer was I would have followed in the footsteps of my father the coachbuilder.
Ignazio said he would follow in the footsteps of his mom and sister who worked in a pizzeria.
At the end of the question to Ignatius, Michelle offered Ignazio a piece of pizza and then says “you can eat it? Does it produce an astringent effect on the teeth?” What Michelle means is can he sing if he eats the pizza.
Michelle asked Gianluca, if you did not sing in the microphone what would you do?
Gianluca replied, what had I done, I remember at school that I had fun making caricatures of my friends of drawings and then I also started painting a little so probably the painter not the painter. Why not?
Ignazio asked Michelle what she would be. She replied, a ballerina.
The guys sing “Piove” while Michelle dances. This is an absolutely wonderful video!
Now let’s listen to a wonderful song by the guys….
Also appearing with the guys were Benji & Fede. They did a beautiful duet together!
Now for the final segment on House Party let’s listen to the guys sing New York, New York!
So, since the guys were singing about New York, let’s listen to an interview the guys did with Julia Papa from 1010 Wins! New Yorkers know this station very well!
When the guys were in New York they would stop by Home & Family for cooking lessons! This was always fun.
Hey guys! We miss you on American TV! Time to do some of these fun shows again!
Since we’re talking about New York, how about if we go back and relive A Day In The Life of Il Volo in NYC. One of my favorite videos!
Michele, are you listening? The guys’ dream of singing at Carnegie Hall! And I want them to sing there too!
And of course, what would the story be without some funny Brotherly moments…
I know the guys enjoyed doing House Party. I hope you enjoyed reliving those moments with our guys!
We took a stroll around House Party, and it led us back to New York. Now, the only way to end this story is with a song from their concert at Radio City Music Hall. How about two songs. I was at Radio City for this performance on February 6, 2020. Totally amazing! Nothing like witnessing the guys perform at Radio City. Their dream and ours! Why let the guys have all the fun! Join them at Radio City Music Hall on September 27th. I’ll be there and you should be too!
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
Credit to the owners of photos and videos.
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
o
