From Malaga with Love: Il Volo on Bullring Debuts, Mentorship by Plácido Domingo, and the Eternity of Bel Canto
Directly following their insightful interview with Radio Kiss Kiss, the members of Il Volo—Piero Barone, Gianluca Ginoble, and Ignazio Boschetto—sat down for a special video interview on June 6, 2026, to discuss the upcoming Spanish leg of their World Tour 2026-2027.
On July 19, 2026, the trio will make their historic debut in Malaga city proper, taking the stage at the iconic La Malagueta Bullring as part of the 101 Music Festival. Speaking with passionate affection for the Spanish culture and audience, the trio previewed what they promise will be an elegant, romantic, and unforgettable “Italian Night.”
Stepping into the Ring: The Malaga Debut
While Il Volo performed last year in nearby Fuengirola, this marks their first time performing inside a traditional Spanish bullring. The sheer architecture and historical weight of the La Malagueta Bullring are not lost on the trio—though Ignazio couldn’t help but add his signature humor to the milestone.
“I’m personally getting the red tablecloth ready for Malaga—the red cape for the bullring—just in case a bull shows up and I need to be ready!” Ignazio laughed.
Jokes aside, the group expressed a profound connection to the Andalusian public, comparing the passion of Spanish music lovers to their native Italian crowds.
“We already know the audience in Spain, and they have an incredible, highly powerful way of welcoming us,” Gianluca noted. “Like the Italians, we share a deep, historical connection. We are incredibly proud to bring Bel canto to this wonderful land.”
Honoring the Legacy: The Influence of Plácido Domingo
The conversation naturally drifted toward the roots of operatic pop crossover, a genre revolutionized in the 1990s by The Three Tenors (Luciano Pavarotti, José Carreras, and Spain’s own Plácido Domingo).
Piero opened up about the deep, cross-generational friendship they share with Maestro Plácido Domingo—a bond that actually began in the most unexpected way.
“Our relationship with Maestro Plácido Domingo grew out of a personal friendship with him and his entire family,” Piero revealed. “It actually all started thanks to his grandchildren! They were huge fans of ours, dressed up like us, and always wanted to come to our concerts. That’s how the bridge was built.”
In 2016, when Il Volo decided to record their massive tribute project to The Three Tenors in Florence, they approached Domingo to act as a artistic witness and guide. “Besides being a titan of an artist, he is a wonderful person. What he gave us that day, and what he continues to give us whenever we collaborate, is pure, invaluable advice.”
Career Milestones: Barbra Streisand, Popes, and Global Anthems
Looking back at a whirlwind 17-year journey that took them from small Italian villages to selling over 20 million records, each member identified a singular, unforgettable moment that defined their career:
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Gianluca’s Highlight: Singing a deeply intense rendition of Ave Maria for Pope Francis and nearly one million young people at World Youth Day in Panama.
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Piero’s Highlights: The sheer emotion of singing for the Pope during a historic December Jubilee audience, balanced by the surreal experience of touring the United States in 2012 alongside the legendary Barbra Streisand.
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Ignazio’s Highlight: Their recent, vibrant collaboration in Mexico with Latin pop star Carlos Rivera, recording a brand-new single together.
The Childhood Blur of “We Are the World”
The host reminded the trio that they were the only three Italian artists invited to participate in the star-studded “We Are the World 25 for Haiti” benefit single in Los Angeles back in 2010.
“We were just kids,” Gianluca recalled with a sense of wonder. “Imagine starting your career at 14, leaving your school, your hometown, and your friends behind to travel the globe. Suddenly we were living in Los Angeles, standing alongside the biggest names in the world for a song composed by Michael Jackson. It showed us how life can completely rewrite itself in a single instant. The secret is that we’ve never stopped being amazed. That enthusiasm is the key to staying truly happy.”
Resisting the Algorithm: A Heritage Preserved
Reiterating a sentiment shared during their recent Italian media appearances, Il Volo credited their grandparents and parents for their unique career path. They noted that if modern, algorithm-driven music streaming platforms had dominated their childhoods, they likely would have been steered away from classical traditions.
“It was our families who put this music on, who let us discover traditional artists that you just won’t find on a modern streaming homepage,” Gianluca stated firmly. “This music is a vital heritage that we as Italians have received. We carry the responsibility to share it with the world and keep it alive for people our own age.”
Sneak Preview: The Malaga Setlist
Though they kept the exact surprises under wraps, Il Volo promised a dynamic, two-hour show designed to offer “relief, relaxation, and powerful emotion” underneath the hot Malaga summer sky.
The performance will bridge several languages and genres to reflect their identity as a true crossover act:
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Operatic Roots: Classic operatic arias from the legendary catalogs of Puccini and Verdi.
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The Spanish Tribute: Essential performances of timeless Spanish-language staples like “Granada” and “Aranjuez”.
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Original Hits: Crossover favorites like their Sanremo-winning Eurovision anthem “Grande Amore” and “Capolavoro”.
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The Grand Finale: Every single concert on the tour will officially conclude with the most famous operatic aria in existence: “Nessun Dorma.”
“Bel canto will never die,” the trio concluded with pride. “We are here to ensure it remains eternal as a musical genre. Malaga, we will see you on July 19th for an unforgettable Italian night!”