Padel Matches, Car Karaoke, and Identity: Il Volo Relives Their Eurovision Journey with Senhit in Bologna

Continuing their media run ahead of their upcoming world tour, Il Volo met up with fellow Eurovision alum Senhit in Bologna for a dynamic and deeply candid episode of Pop Road to Eurovision.

The encounter blended friendly athletic rivalry, an impromptu car-karaoke session through the streets of Bologna, and rare, vulnerable reflections on the sacrifices of a 17-year career. The underlying bond of the artists was immediate, anchored by the fact that while two members of the trio originally hail from Sicily, they now call Bologna home.

A Devastating Game of Padel and a Ride to the “Playhouse”

The day began not in a studio, but on a sports court. Senhit, who proudly describes herself as a highly competitive and dynamic person, challenged the trio to a match of padel. Despite her best efforts and intense focus, Il Volo emerged victorious.

“I was devastated because they play incredibly well, and I was very nervous and excited,” Senhit laughed after the match. Ignazio, never missing a chance to tease, joked that they only “let her win a few points out of pity.”

Following the match, Senhit drove the trio to a special, personal sanctuary she refers to as her “Playhouse.” Tucked behind an ordinary door, the space features a private cinema room designed as a place to disconnect from reality and reconnect with the pure joy of making music. It was here that the group sat down to watch their own historic 2015 Eurovision performance.

The Cinematic Power of Grande Amore

Cruising through Bologna, the group initiated a car-karaoke session to their 2015 Sanremo-winning and Eurovision breakout track, “Grande Amore.” Belting out the iconic lyrics together, the trio and Senhit analyzed why the song remains a monumental masterpiece in their repertoire.

Piero gave immense credit to legendary Italian producer Celso Valli for the track’s enduring, high-caliber arrangement:

“The orchestration and production are magnificent. You can truly feel Celso Valli’s touch in every single layer. The music and lyrics are so cinematic and theatrical that it literally gives me goosebumps every single time I see or sing it.”

Gianluca pointed out the historical weight of that specific musical moment. “Before us, no one after Andrea Bocelli had really brought traditional bel canto back to the forefront of mainland Europe. There was a void in the market. We started incredibly young, and we remain the only young group dedicated to carrying this specific torch.”

When Senhit asked if audiences still react with the same intensity eleven years later, Gianluca smiled. “The second the intro notes start in concert, the crowd immediately goes crazy. Piero usually takes off his jacket during that song, and that’s when he completely steals the show.”

Knowing When to Pause: Art vs. Money

When Senhit asked if the relentless pace of a 17-year global career ever made them want to shout, “Enough! I want to stop,” Gianluca offered a profound perspective on the necessity of creative breaks:

“Personally, I’ve never thought ‘enough’ in terms of quitting, but I do believe an artist needs to know when to stop. Not because you are tired, but because there is a need to step away. You need to stop to gain awareness, to live life, and ultimately to deliver a better, more authentic product to the people who follow you. If the only reason you are making music is for the money, it loses all its meaning. You must keep the raw enthusiasm alive.”

The Pros and Cons of a Stolen Adolescence

During a Q&A card game inside the Playhouse, Senhit asked the boys to weigh the pros and cons of being catapulted into international stardom at just 14 and 15 years old.

The trio view their trajectory as an exceptional privilege, but they freely acknowledge the traditional milestones they had to sacrifice.

The Pros:

• Global Education: Learning multiple languages naturally through immersive global travel.

• Cultural Growth: Discovering a vast array of global cultures that completely opened and shaped their minds.

The Cons:

• Missed Youth: “The cons are just a matter of perspective,” Gianluca reflected. “But if I have to name something, it’s missing out on the standard adolescent phase—playing carelessly with childhood friends and just acting silly riding around on a Vespa through the streets of Bologna.”

Despite the trade-offs, Piero was absolute in his stance: “If I could go back, I wouldn’t change a single thing. I am completely happy with what we’ve done and how we’ve done it.”

Defending Identity and the Rule of Authenticity

As they matured from teenagers into 30-year-old men, the trio learned that the ultimate key to longevity in the music industry is resisting fleeting trends.

“The most important thing an artist can do is defend their identity and approach their work with absolute seriousness, consistency, and authenticity,” Gianluca explained. “There are always contrasting external forces tempting you to change your sound to match what is currently ‘trendy,’ which can cause you to lose your soul.”

“We learned a fundamental rule that underlies everything, even though it is incredibly difficult to grasp when you are young: You must stop wanting to be liked at all costs. Once you are fully aware of who you are and what your identity is, it doesn’t matter anymore. You walk on stage, you are entirely yourself, and if they like you, great. If they don’t, you still stay true to who you are.”

A Heartbreaking Musical Memory: Ignazio’s Loss

The interview took an emotional turn when Senhit asked the boys to name a song by another artist that left a permanent scar on their hearts.

Ignazio spoke up, recalling a devastating intersection of his personal life and career that took place during a performance at the iconic Verona Arena.

“For me, that song is ‘Goodbye My Lover’ by James Blunt. On June 5th, we were singing at the Verona Arena for a massive tribute concert. That exact evening, my grandmother passed away. My parents chose not to tell me anything until the concert was completely over so I could get through the show. The next morning, as I was dealing with the heavy news, I was listening to that specific track. It is a moment, and a song, that will remain bound to me forever.”