Italian Passion, Mexican Heart: Il Volo Spills on Tequila, Mariachi, and Audie-Defying Triumphs on #JessieEnExa
Fresh off a monumental, sold-out performance before 10,000 screaming fans at Mexico City’s iconic Auditorio Nacional, the operatic pop powerhouse trio Il Volo dropped by the #JessieEnExa radio show. Despite surviving on just two hours of sleep, Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble brought effortless charm, incredible live vocals, and a deep appreciation for Mexican culture to the morning broadcast.
From early-morning shots of tequila to sharing the stage with a traditional Mariachi band, the trio’s interview perfectly captured the profound and enduring “marriage” between Italian passion and Latin American musical heritage.
Warming Up the Vocal Cords—Mexican Style
Arriving at the studio in the early hours, the boys didn’t hesitate when offered a taste of Mexico’s most famous spirit. To the host’s amusement, the trio welcomed a morning toast to kickstart their day.
“Many artists come in the morning and ask for a little mezcal for the throat,” the host noted.
“A little tequila to warm up the day is the best way to start!” the trio joked. “In Sicily, it’s already almost five in the afternoon anyway—we’ve practically finished lunch!”
Beyond the playful morning banter, the group expressed overwhelming gratitude for their triumphant return to the Auditorio Nacional—their first time back since 2019. Presenting their hit album Tres Voces, Un Alma (Three Voices, One Soul), they revealed that they deliberately planned their entire Central and South American tour schedule around the venue’s availability.
A Tears-and-Tequila Tribute to Latin Classics
A core highlight of Il Volo’s latest artistic chapter is their deep dive into Latin America’s musical songbook, paying tribute to legends like José José (“The Prince of Song”) and José Alfredo Jiménez. During the interview, they detailed the emotional transformation required to pivot from classical Italian opera to the raw, bleeding-heart passion of Mexican Mariachi.
Learning to Sing with the Heart
Ignazio shared a touching backstage story about recording the iconic ranchera song “Ella”:
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The Setup: In the studio, he focused on flawless vocal delivery.
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The Critique: The producer stopped him, saying: “Everything sounds great, but now I need the heart. Mariachi needs me to hear that you are actively suffering for love.”
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The Result: Embracing that raw vulnerability, the trio brought out a live Mariachi band at the Auditorio Nacional the night before, bringing both the audience and themselves to the brink of tears.
Unplugged Mastery: A Masterclass in Live Radio Vocals
Proving that their world-renowned voices require zero studio editing, Il Volo treated the radio audience to a series of spectacular, completely live acoustic performances accompanied only by their longtime pianist, Maestro Gian Piero Grani.
| Song Performed | Original Artist / Significance | Key Highlight |
| “El Triste” | José José | A legendary Mexican anthem. The trio delivered soaring, melancholic harmonies that perfectly replicated the dramatic flair of “The Prince of Song.” |
| “Tan Enamorados” | Ricardo Montaner | A romantic pop ballad. They performed it beautifully in Spanish, noting that they often pull out their earpieces in concert just to hear the crowd sing it back to them. |
| “Ella” | José Alfredo Jiménez | Requested on the spot by the host. A stunning, impromptu snippet showcasing their newfound grasp of authentic Mariachi passion. |
| “Grande Amore” | Il Volo | Their iconic 2015 Sanremo-winning masterpiece, delivered with breathtaking power to close out the session. |
Spotting Fakes and Eyeing the Future
With their global tour pushing past 120 dates—spanning Europe, Australia, the USA, Japan, and Jerusalem—the trio shows no signs of slowing down. As they head to Monterrey and Guadalajara to round out the Mexican leg of their tour, they left their fans with a crucial piece of advice regarding the digital age.
Addressing the rising issue of online impersonators and fake profiles interacting with their base, the group urged fans to stay sharp. “Our social media accounts are strictly the verified ones,” they emphasized. “Look for the blue checkmark. We love interacting with you, but please make sure it’s really us!”
With a final toast (“¡Salud!”) to the beautiful bond between Italy and Mexico, Il Volo signed off, leaving the radio studio—and listeners across the nation—utterly spellbound.