Fifteen Years of Flight: How Il Volo Transformed from Teenage Talents into Global Crossover Icons
Introduction: A Fifteen-Year Journey Around the World
In 2009, three teenage boys walked onto the stage of an Italian television talent show as individual contestants, completely unaware that their lives were about to change forever. Today, Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble are known collectively as Il Volo—the powerhouse operatic pop trio that has spent the last decade and a half conquering the global music scene.
Marking their milestone 15th anniversary, the trio sat down with Isabel Piazza for RSI Musica during a major European tour that brought their signature “popera” sound to Zurich, Switzerland. In a candid conversation, the trio reflected on their unexpected origin story, their prestigious collaborations with musical royalty, the psychological weight of early fame, and the unbreakable bond that keeps them grounded after millions of miles traveled.
From Teenagers to International Stars: Trusting the Process
When the boys first met on the Italian show Ti lascio una canzone at just 14 years old, they were simply three solo singers sharing a deep, uncommon passion for classical vocals. The decision to fuse their voices into a trio was a calculated professional move orchestrated by their management and legendary Italian producer Michele Torpedine.
While some critics initially viewed the group as a manufactured project designed on a drawing board, the sheer longevity of their success has proven otherwise. Looking back, the group acknowledges how surreal those early days were.
“We were three 15-year-old boys, completely unaware of everything that was happening around us,” Piero recalls. “Over the years, we grew to understand the immense weight of signing a recording contract with a major American label. As teenagers, we relied heavily on our parents to guide us. Today, after 15 years in the industry, we live this incredible life with a completely different level of awareness and maturity.”
The name Il Volo (meaning “The Flight”) was born out of a brainstorming session with their record company. It proved to be prophetic. Ignazio explains that the name was a nod to their destiny of constant international travel:
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The concept: Symbolic of taking flight to bridge continental gaps through music.
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The reality: Within months of their debut, they were spending more time in the air than on the ground, flying to major cities across the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
The Catalyst of Sanremo and Cultural Diplomacy
While Il Volo achieved massive international acclaim early on in markets like the United States and Latin America, their definitive homecoming triumph arrived in 2015. The trio won the prestigious Sanremo Music Festival with their hit single “Grande Amore”, which propelled them to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest, where they won the global televote.
For Il Volo, Sanremo is more than just a musical competition; it is a global megaphone for Italian identity.
+---------------------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| Strategic Milestone | Cultural & Global Impact |
+---------------------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| Sanremo Victory (2015) | Provided unprecedented international exposure |
| Eurovision Televote Win | Solidified their status as cultural envoys |
| Global Repertoire | Re-exported classic Italian melodies globally |
+---------------------------+-----------------------------------------------+
“The Sanremo Festival possesses a unique ability to command international visibility,” says Gianluca. “There isn’t an equivalent festival quite as influential anywhere else in the world. It proves that Italian culture—stretching beyond music to our food and lifestyle—holds a massive power to influence audiences worldwide. Winning it in 2015 gave us the platform to proudly take our country’s heritage to every corner of the globe.”
The Ice Skater and the Far East: A Unique Path to Global Loyalty
One of the most fascinating chapters in Il Volo’s 15-year career is their massive breakthrough in Japan. Unlike their early success in South America, which felt like a natural extension of Latin romanticism, their Japanese stardom happened entirely by a beautiful coincidence.
In 2018, the legendary Japanese figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu won an Olympic gold medal while performing a routine set to Il Volo’s interpretation of “Notte Stellata (The Swan)”—a track they had recorded back in 2011 based on Saint-Saëns’ Swan Lake.
The performance went viral across East Asia, instantly introducing the Italian trio to millions of new listeners. Since then, Japan has become one of their most loyal touring markets, demonstrating how great music effortlessly transcends linguistic boundaries.
Rubbing Shoulders with Legends and Performing for the Pope
Over the past 15 years, Il Volo’s resume has grown to resemble a hall of fame. In 2010, they were the only Italian artists invited by Quincy Jones to perform on the charity single “We Are the World 25 for Haiti”, singing alongside icons like Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, and Josh Groban.
That initial meeting led to a monumental milestone in 2012, when Barbra Streisand invited the young trio to co-headline her North American tour.
Key Musical Collaborations:
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Barbra Streisand: Co-headlined a massive 12-city North American tour in 2012.
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Plácido Domingo: Collaborated on their tribute project Notte Magica, honoring the Three Tenors.
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Toto Cutugno: Toured and recorded with the late Italian legend, particularly breaking into the Russian market.
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Pope Francis: Invited to perform on two highly significant occasions—World Youth Day and World Family Day.
Reflecting on these experiences, Piero emphasizes that the greatest lessons they learned from superstars like Streisand were not about vocal technique, but about work ethic and humanity.
“It wasn’t spoken verbal advice; it was the advice of watching them act,” Piero notes. “Touring with Barbra Streisand, you realize she is a monument—she sings, acts, and directs flawlessly. Yet, she maintains a profound simplicity. True fulfillment doesn’t come from fame itself; it comes from the simplicity of human relationships, dedication, and discipline.”
The group also holds a deep, enduring respect for the late Toto Cutugno, who acted as a mentor to them when they first performed in Russia. “Toto always told us the truth directly to our faces,” they share warmly. “He was a wonderful person, and we cherish nothing but positive memories of our time in the studio with him.”
Brothers in Arms: Navigating the Pressures of Early Fame
Many childhood stars struggle under the relentless glare of the spotlight. The trio credits their survival in the music industry to strict self-criticism and an unshakeable fraternal bond.
When asked how they manage to stay cohesive after 15 years, Gianluca points to their humility. “The strength of any artist lies in deep self-criticism. If you never question yourself or recognize your gaps, you stop growing. Recognizing our limits while understanding our potential has allowed us to live this life with humility and keep looking reality in the face.”
[ Piero Barone ] <---> [ Ignazio Boschetto ]
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v v
[ Gianluca Ginoble ]
The dynamics within the trio have naturally evolved from immature teenage bickering into a profound mutual respect. They describe themselves as three distinct individuals with completely different tastes and personalities, yet completely indispensable to one another.
To keep the peace, they maintain a strict boundary between their professional collaboration and their private lives, functioning as a built-in support system whenever they find themselves thousands of miles away from home.
Adapting to the Modern Market: The Radio Airplay Debate
Despite selling out arenas from New York to Tokyo, Il Volo has occasionally voiced a slight bitterness regarding mainstream radio airplay, particularly within their home country of Italy. Contemporary radio formats often favor fast-paced trap, pop, and electronic music over classical-crossover arrangements.
However, the group approaches this challenge with characteristic serenity and strategic adaptability:
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The Reality of Crossover Music: The trio acknowledges that playing an operatic piece like “Nessun Dorma” or a classic Morricone cover at eight o’clock in the morning can be a difficult sell for commercial drive-time radio.
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A Pivot to Original Music: They recognize that original, unreleased pop tracks like “Grande Amore” successfully break through modern radio barriers.
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The Path Forward: The trio intends to focus heavily on collaborating with contemporary songwriters to craft original material tailored for radio, without ever compromising their core operatic identity.
“The most important thing in life is to always maintain a stimulus for the future,” Gianluca affirms. “You have to adapt, keep up with the times, and recognize your identity without losing it. Our ultimate goal is to never disappoint our loyal core audience while continuously expanding our reach to new listeners.”
Conclusion: The Unfading Power of the Live Experience
As Il Volo looks ahead to the next chapter of their career, one thing remains certain: their true power is best experienced live on stage. Stripping away the record labels, the industry politics, and the stereotypes of classical music, Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca remain three genuine friends united by an extraordinary vocal gift. By infusing centuries-old Italian melodies with modern youthful energy, the trio continues to prove that great music doesn’t just age—it takes flight.