Scaling New Heights: Il Volo Talks High-Altitude Vocals and the Ultimate Culinary Crime on ‘Colorado Conversations’
As part of their extensive 2026 global tour, Italy’s premier operatic pop trio, Il Volo, made a memorable stop in the Mile High State to sit down with host Chris Parente on Colorado Conversations. Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble brought their signature charm, sharp wit, and deep musical insight to the studio, opening up about the unique physical challenges of performing in Denver, the pressure of a grueling international schedule, and a lighthearted debate over a highly controversial American pizza topping.
The Mile High Challenge: Singing in Thin Air
Performing in Colorado is a rite of passage for touring artists, but for an operatic pop group relying on massive lung capacity and precise vocal control, the high altitude presents an entirely different beast. Host Chris Parente asked the trio how their world-class pipes handled the thin air.
“People don’t realize that opera and bel canto singing are highly athletic,” Piero Barone explained. “You need a constant, powerful stream of oxygen to support the notes. When you hit those long, soaring hooks at 5,280 feet, you can feel the lungs working double time.”
The trio revealed their strategy for conquering high-altitude performances:
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Pacing the Setlist: Adjusting the show’s pacing to allow for momentary vocal recovery between massive power ballads.
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Hydration and Rest: Relying strictly on intense hydration and vocal rest before taking the stage.
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Adrenaline Over Oxygen: Ignazio joked that the raw energy of the Colorado crowd usually acts as its own form of oxygen, carrying them through the most demanding operatic arrangements.
The Ultimate Food Debate: Pineapple on Pizza?
Switching gears from vocal technique to Italian heritage, Parente couldn’t resist asking the trio about an ongoing culinary debate that divides food lovers worldwide: pineapple on pizza.
As proud cultural ambassadors of Italy, the trio’s reactions were immediate, theatrical, and unanimously protective of traditional Italian cuisine.
[ THE PIZZA POLL: IL VOLO VERDICT ]
[PIERO] [IGNAZIO] [GIANLUCA]
"A criminal act." "Keep it away from "It is an insult to
the kitchen!" our ancestors!"
“Look, we love America, and we love the creativity here,” Gianluca laughed, “but pineapple on pizza is where we must draw the line. It is a fundamental misunderstanding of the balance between tomato and cheese!”
Ignazio playfully added that if anyone in Italy caught them eating a slice of Hawaiian pizza, they might lose their citizenship, while Piero strictly categorized it as a “culinary crime” that should never cross the Atlantic.
A Global Milestone: From ‘Ad Astra’ to the World
Beyond the humor, the conversation touched on the monumental scale of their ongoing world tour. Celebrating over fifteen years together, the trio is currently touring behind their critically acclaimed album Ad Astra—their very first record comprised entirely of original music.
The group discussed the emotional weight of transitioning from child prodigies who reinterpreted the classics to mature artists on the cusp of thirty who are telling their own stories.
| Tour Phase | Highlights & Major Destinations |
| The Asian Leg | Massive, sold-out arenas across Japan and China. |
| The Americas | Extensive coast-to-coast dates across the United States, including high-altitude stops in Colorado and recent California performances. |
| The Italian Summer | A historic four-night residency at the Verona Arena, followed by a rigorous 30-date tour of Italy’s most ancient venues. |
Bound by the Power of Three
As the interview drew to a close, Chris Parente asked the secret to their long-lasting brotherhood, especially given the recent tabloid rumors of internal friction during the Sanremo Music Festival week.
“We are like brothers, which means we argue every single day about music, style, and schedules,” Ignazio shared candidly. “But when we step onto that stage and our three voices blend together, all the noise fades away. The balance we have built over fifteen years is indestructible.”
With a televised concert event in front of the Great Sphinx of Giza on the horizon and an ever-expanding global fanbase, Il Volo proved once again on Colorado Conversations that whether they are fighting thin air or defending the honor of traditional Italian pizza, they do it with unmatched style, harmony, and heart.