Brotherhood, Grounded Roots, and a Special Christmas Preview: Il Volo’s Deeply Intimate Chat on Canale 5’s Verissimo

In a festive and highly emotional appearance on Canale 5’s Verissimo, broadcast on December 22, 2024, Italy’s global musical ambassadors—Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble of Il Volo—sat down with host Silvia Toffanin.

Fresh off a performance with Andrea Bocelli in Los Angeles, the trio looked back on their 15-year career, opened up about family and marriage, and shared an exclusive preview of their historic Christmas Eve concert event.

1. The Christmas Eve Historic Event: Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples

Silvia Toffanin kicked off the interview by previewing the group’s highly anticipated television special airing on Christmas Eve (December 24th) on Canale 5.

[Il Volo's Christmas Eve Special]
  ├── The Location: The historic Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily
  ├── The Significance: The first time a musical concert was granted permission inside this sacred archeological site
  ├── The Concept: Reimagining iconic Christmas carols while revealing the unknown histories behind them
  └── A Special Message: A performance of John Lennon & Yoko Ono's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" near the Temple of Concordia

“I like to imagine that almost 2,500 years ago, people gathered right here to pray to the goddess Concordia, who symbolized harmony between people,” Gianluca mused during the broadcast preview.

Piero also took a moment to pull back the curtain, reminding audiences to appreciate the vast production team working tirelessly behind the scenes to make the massive architectural backdrop come to life.

2. “Success is an Amplifier”: The Shield of Family and Humility

When asked how they handle massive international fame—where opera classics like “Nessun Dorma” are treated like cross-cultural emotional states of mind rather than just songs—the trio remained staggeringly grounded.

“Personally, I’ve never been interested in fame,” Gianluca shared candidly. “My greatest fortune is being able to do what I love most every day, which is singing. Fame is just a consequence. People say success changes you, but it really just amplifies what you already are. If you grew up with a solid education and innate sensitivity, you stay the same.”

The boys credited their families for keeping them mentally balanced when transitioning between screaming global stadiums and ordinary home lives.

The Early Days: Because they started at 14 and 15 years old, their parents had to travel everywhere with them until they reached adulthood.
Ignazio’s Roots: Ignazio shared the emotional impact of returning to his roots. Born in Bologna, raised in Sicily, and now living back in Bologna, he only gets to return to Sicily once a year. He noted that his sister has historically acted like a “second mother,” emphasizing how rare and precious true family trust is in the music industry.
Brothers, Not Partners: “We didn’t choose each other,” Piero added. “At this point, we aren’t just friends or business partners. We are a family, like brothers.”

3. Ignazio’s Double-Ceremony Wedding and Group Dynamics

The interview took a lighthearted, humorous turn when discussing Ignazio’s major personal milestone: his recent marriage to Michelle.

Silvia pointed out that Ignazio technically got married twice. Ignazio explained with a laugh that they wanted to keep things simple: they held a civil ceremony to celebrate with a wider circle of friends, followed by a deeply intimate, private wedding reserved strictly for immediate family.

Piero and Gianluca joked about their roles as the group’s contrasting elements, pointing out that Gianluca functions as the “glue” and the mediator who brings balance whenever the other two lock horns. “A group requires compromise and intelligence,” Gianluca noted.

4. A Heartfelt Tribute and Looking Ahead

In a touching concluding note, Ignazio broke through the group’s usual aversion to public vulnerability to dedicate their historic Christmas concert to Barbara, a core member of their team who passed away halfway through the project’s production. “She was our greatest guiding figure right next to us for 15 years,” Ignazio shared softly.

The trio expressed deep gratitude to Verissimo for creating a safe space where they could speak spontaneously without the fear of sensationalized tabloid gossip.

What’s Next for Il Volo:

The Ad Astra Arena Tour: The trio is preparing to hit the road for their massive Palasport indoor arena tour.
New Music: The tour will showcase the tracklist of their latest album Ad Astra, alongside a newly released deluxe reissue featuring their latest hit single, “Tra le onde” (Among the Waves).
A Simple Christmas Wish: When asked what they want for the holidays, the boys universally wished for simple peace and serenity—with Ignazio joking, “My only personal wish is to not get fat over the holidays!”