Operatic Crossover and Italian Charm: Il Volo on Eurovision 2015, “Grande Amore,” and Their Search for Real Love

During the height of Eurovision 2015 in Vienna, Austria, the charismatic Italian trio Il Volo—composed of Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble—sat down for a lively, candid chat with William Lee Adams of Wiwibloggs.

Fresh off their Sanremo victory, the young men brought their signature mix of vocal power, Sicilian-influenced style, and playful banter to the interview.

1. Finding Their “Grande Amore” and Ideal Women

With their entry song “Grande Amore” starting with the romantic imagery of closing one’s eyes and thinking of a sweet scent, William wasted no time asking the trio who they were thinking about when they sang.

The boys admitted they were still waiting for their own real-life muses.

Piero Barone: “We hope to find our ‘grande amore.’ We can’t wait to fall in love with someone, and whenever we sing this song, we hope we’re going to find our love.”

When asked what they look for in a partner, they emphasized the need for deep understanding over digital connection, citing their exhausting travel schedules:

• The Reality of Touring: Because they are constantly traveling (whether in New Zealand or Europe), they need partners who understand the lifestyle.

• The Calm Factor: Ignazio joked that because they use FaceTime and Skype to stay in touch, they need someone “who doesn’t stress out.” Otherwise, they joked, they are young enough that they “prefer to stay alone.”

2. Defining Their Sound: “One Direction Meets The Three Tenors”

A common misconception is that Il Volo sings strict opera. During the interview, they eagerly broke down this myth and explained the exact genre they have popularized.

[The Il Volo Sound Formula]
  ├── NOT Opera: "To sing opera, you have to study a lot and have a lifetime of experience."
  ├── The Pop Fusion: Classic melodies sung with modern pop sensibilities.
  └── The Concept: "Imagine a mix of The Three Tenors and One Direction right in the middle."

They proudfully took ownership of “Bel Canto” (beautiful singing), explaining that bringing three young men to sing classical crossover was a historic first for Eurovision’s 60-year history.

3. The Eurovision Curse & Bookie Expectations

Entering the contest as massive favorites to win, the boys were asked if they would be disappointed if they didn’t walk away with the trophy.

Their response was a resounding and mature no.

“Absolutely not. Our goal is not just to win. Our goal is to bring our ‘Grande Amore’ back to Europe since we haven’t toured here in four years. Eurovision reaches 200 million viewers—it’s the best opportunity to show how Il Volo has grown up personally, physically, and professionally.”

4. Personal Style: Very Sicilian & Very Armani

The interview took a lighthearted turn when discussing the Wiwibloggs poll “Eurovision’s Next Top Male Model,” where the trio placed 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.

While teasing Gianluca for being the most stylish of the group, Piero shared his own fashion philosophy:

• Armani Sophistication: The trio wore Giorgio Armani for the event to ensure they brought authentic Italian elegance to the world stage.

• A Touch of Sicily: Piero playfully pointed out his own “very Sicilian” look, noting he prefers classic styles rather than over-complicating his outfits.

5. From Solo Competitors to a “Band of Brothers”

Before they were a global powerhouse, the three competed as solo artists on the Italian talent show Ti lascio una canzone.

• The Fateful Fourth Episode: The producer of the show decided to put their voices together mid-season.

• Instant Chemistry: Despite being matched together suddenly, the boys recalled that the very first time they harmonized on “O Sole Mio,” they felt an immediate, undeniable connection.

• Offstage Relationship: To prove their brotherhood has survived years of close quarters, they joked about their hotel arrangements. They confirmed they always book separate rooms for privacy, with Ignazio teasing that as a true Sicilian, he prefers to “sleep alone.”

6. Craziest Fan Encounters & Touring with Barbra Streisand

With a massive global fanbase, the boys compared their experiences touring the world:

• The Flying Bra: When asked about the craziest thing a fan had done, Ignazio laughed recalling a concert in Mexico where a fan threw her bra onto the stage with her phone number written inside.

• Three Generations of Fans: Gianluca shared a touching memory from a New York show, where a grandmother, mother, and granddaughter came to their meet-and-greet. “She told us, ‘Congratulations, you got three generations.’ That’s the best compliment we can receive.”

• School of Streisand: Reflecting on their tour with legend Barbra Streisand, they called it “a real school” where they learned how to command major global stages.

A Final Musical Message

Rather than just saying goodbye to the Wiwibloggs readers, the trio did what they do best. They wrapped up the interview by singing a gorgeous, flawless acapella snippet of “Grande Amore” directly to the camera, leaving no doub