Sensational Italian Tenors Il Volo Riding High on World Tour

The 2025 World Tour of Il Volo is in full swing. And if you've yet to see them, you still have until December 18 to do so. The globetrotting trio is making stops everywhere from Boston (next Monday) to Berlin, as well as Munich, Mallorca, Prague, Budapest, San Paola, and Rio to name just a few. It's safe to say that wherever you are, they're probably playing in a very large venue nearby.

Known for their blend of contemporary pop music and opera, (which has been frequently referred to as "popera"), the trio of handsome young Italian tenors met in 2009 when they were solo performers on the Italian singing competition show "Ti Iasco Una Canzone." The show's creator and director Roberto Cenci brought contestants Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble together hoping to create a trio similar to The Three Tenors, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti.

Il Volo was an instant sensation. In 2010 the trio released their platinum-selling, chart-topping, debut album, "Il Volo," followed by an appearance on the Latin Grammy Awards just before their first tour. In 2013 they won the Latin Billboard Award for Best New Artist and began having collaborations with legends such as Barbra Streisand and Andre Boccelli. A year ago, the trio released their most recent album, "Ad Astra," their first composed of orginal songs. In November, an international edition of the album was released with additional tracks.

Since they have become international superstars with 13 albums to date, two books, and multiple world tours. Their current tour is being called their most ambitious to date, with additional performances being added as recently as February 2025.

Somehow, despite the whirlwind of activity that accompanies such a massive undertaking, the gentlemen known as Il Volo found the time to answer some questions submitted via email by EDGE.

EDGE: You were so young when you entered the original competition. Did you ever envision a career like this?

Piero: We never could have imagined a career like this when we started so young. If someone had told us back then, we would never have believed it. It's been an incredible journey, far beyond anything we ever dreamed of.

EDGE: You've sung with Barbra Streisand. Are there any other megastars you'd like to perform with?

Ignazio: There are many artists we admire and would love to collaborate with. Among our favorites are Ed Sheeran and Coldplay, whom we greatly appreciate for their talent and music.

EDGE: How do you keep the material fresh for audiences and fun for you?

Gianluca: Our latest album, "Ad Astra," which is our first collection of original songs, was born from the desire to bring something new and fresh to our audience. We worked hard to create a blend of tradition and innovation that highlights our individual personalities. The result is a journey that moves from the album's original tracks – featuring standout songs like "Capolavoro," presented at Sanremo 2024, and our latest single "Tra le onde" – to the greatest hits of Italian musical tradition.

EDGE: Do you think about a theme throughout the show that enables the audience to go on a journey with you?

Gianluca: Certainly, the main theme of this tour is our latest album, "Ad Astra," which represents a true journey through galaxies, stars, and the vastness of the universe. Each track is designed to take the audience on an immersive experience, filled with emotions and imagery that evoke the infinite.

EDGE: Who chooses the songs you include in shows and albums?

Piero: We make the decisions together as a group, collaborating closely with our manager and our team. It's a collective process where everyone contributes their perspective, ensuring that the songs we choose reflect both our artistic vision and what resonates most with our audience.

EDGE: Do you ever disagree about song choices? How do you come to a consensus? Who, ultimately, gets the final word? (those 3 questions have been answered in the same answer)

Ignazio: t's rare, but not impossible, for us to disagree on song choices because the three of us are very much aligned on the work we want to present to our audience. We share a strong artistic vision, which helps us make decisions together smoothly most of the time.

EDGE: Have you worked with the same musical director the entire time?

Gianluca: No, we have worked with several musical directors, either Italian and International, among whom Canova and Gatica.

EDGE: You seem to get along so well. How do you do it? Are you friends outside of work?

Piero: Absolutely yes! We've grown up together over the past 15 years, sharing tours, concerts, rehearsals, and countless experiences. Spending so much time together has naturally made us more than just colleagues – we're true friends.

EDGE: Most "true friends" have some disagreements along the way. Do you guys ever fight?

Ignazio: Sometimes it's impossible not to. We deeply love each other, but our different personalities can occasionally clash, leading to moments of misunderstanding. However, like any family, we always find a way to resolve things and grow stronger together.

EDGE: Do you ever want to bust out and sing rock and roll in the middle of your show?

Ignazio: Absolutely, yes! That's why we've included some rock tracks in our show, reinterpreting them in our own style, such as "Who Wants to Live Forever" and "The Show Must Go On."

EDGE: Do any of you ever think about recording a solo album? If so, what would it be?

Gianluca: For now, it's not a project we've considered. We enjoy working together and are very satisfied with the journey we're sharing as a team.

EDGE: If you were not singing, what musical instrument would you play?

Piero: I already play the piano and would get better and better.

Ignazio: I already play many instruments, guitar is one of my favorites.

Gianluca: piano is my main instrument.

EDGE: If you were not able to sing anymore, what would you do (for work)?

All: To be honest we haven't thought about that yet...(smile)

EDGE: What do you do for fun when you're not on tour?

Piero: For us, it's essential to return home and spend quality time with our loved ones, especially after long periods on tour. We focus on maintaining a balance by nurturing friendships, staying true to our roots, and striving to preserve a sense of normalcy in our daily lives.

Il Volo appears at the Citizens Opera House, 539 Washington Street, Boston, MA. Monday, March 31, 2025, 7:30pm. For more information follow this link.

Il Volo is currently performing their 2024/2025 World Tour. Information on tour dates and tickets can be found at: their website.