“‘WE’VE LEARNED THE POWER OF SAYING NO.’ ❤️🎤 — IL VOLO REVEALS THE SECRET THAT HAS KEPT THEM TOGETHER FOR 15 YEARS During an intimate lunch at Sanremo, Il Volo opened up about fame, friendship, and the lessons they’ve learned after spending more than a decade in the global spotlight. The trio reflected on their evolving sound, the pressure of returning to the iconic festival, and why staying true to their artistic identity has always mattered more than chasing trends. They also spoke candidly about creative freedom, revealing how taking control of their own careers has strengthened both their music and their brotherhood. But it was their heartfelt confession about the importance of knowing when to say “no” that has struck a chord with fans everywhere.

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An Intimate Lunch in Sanremo: Il Volo Talks Authenticity, Longevity, and Creative Control at Villa Ormond

During the high-octane chaos of the 2024 Sanremo Music Festival, Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble of Il Volo took a momentary escape to sit down for a special, relaxed luncheon. Hosted by journalist Michele Monina and MOW Magazine inside the beautiful, historic Villa Ormond—the heart of Il Villaggio del Festival—the trio traded the intense stage pressure for open, candid conversation over lunch.

Known for their sophisticated blend of classical crossover and pop, the group used the intimate setting to reflect on what it truly means to maintain their artistic identity after fifteen years in the global spotlight.

Il Villaggio del Festival | IL VOLO | A pranzo con gli artisti

1. Escaping the Festival Frenzy at Villa Ormond

The Villaggio del Festival at Villa Ormond serves as a lush, tranquil oasis for artists competing in or attending Sanremo. Surrounded by historic botanical gardens, the setting allowed the trio to let their guard down.

Rather than answering the standard, repetitive press-junket questions, the lunch with Michele Monina felt like an informal gathering of friends, where the food and wine matched the flow of deep, unscripted reflections on their career.

2. Navigating the Sanremo Crucible with “Capolavoro”

At the time of the luncheon, the boys were actively promoting their Sanremo entry, “Capolavoro” (Masterpiece)—a track that marked a deliberate stylistic evolution for them. They discussed how the festival is both a massive launchpad and a psychological crucible:

  • Evolving Their Sound: The trio explained that “Capolavoro” was designed to highlight their three distinct vocal personalities more clearly than ever before, moving away from a uniform “operatic wall of sound” to showcase their individual textures.

  • The Weight of Expectation: Having already won Sanremo in 2015 with “Grande Amore,” they expressed that returning to the Ariston stage wasn’t about trying to replicate past victories, but about showing the Italian public who they had become as mature men in their late twenties.

3. The Power of “No” and Creative Autonomy

One of the most compelling parts of the conversation centered around creative control. Having been thrust into global stardom as teenagers, the boys discussed the difficult process of taking the reins of their own careers.

[The Evolution of Il Volo's Career Control]
  ├── Early Years (2009-2015): Guided heavily by producers, record executives, and international managers.
  └── Mature Era (2015-Present): Actively making executive decisions, selecting their own repertoire, and managing their image.

They emphasized that longevity in the music industry relies entirely on the ability to say “no” to projects that do not align with their artistic truth. They credited their enduring brotherhood as their ultimate support system—allowing them to make unified, firm decisions when dealing with major label executives and promoters.

4. Brotherhood Over Business

Il Volo | Spotify

The lunch highlighted the easy, natural chemistry that can only exist between people who have grown up side-by-side on the road. Despite their occasional, highly publicized creative disagreements, the trio made it clear that their bond is completely unbreakable.

They laughed about their differing habits on tour, their individual passions—from Piero’s running to Ignazio’s culinary experiments—and reiterated that their differences are precisely what keep the project fresh and dynamic.

For the guests and team at MOW Magazine, the lunch at Villa Ormond captured the true essence of Il Volo: three incredibly grounded Italian men who, despite singing for Popes and Presidents, are still happiest sharing a meal, a laugh, and a great conversation.