In the world of music, admiration from legendary performers is never handed out lightly. Artists who have spent decades building extraordinary careers often reserve their praise for only the rarest talents. Yet over the years, one young trio has repeatedly earned the trust, encouragement, and respect of some of the biggest names in classical and popular music alike. For Il Volo, those relationships have become one of the strongest testaments to their artistry.
Comprised of Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble, Il Volo first came together in 2009 after appearing individually on an Italian television singing competition. Their remarkable vocal abilities were quickly recognized, and they were brought together with the vision of creating a modern classical crossover trio inspired by the tradition of The Three Tenors.
Their international breakthrough came at an unusually young age. While many singers spend decades trying to earn the respect of established stars, Il Volo found themselves performing alongside artists they had admired since childhood. Rather than being treated simply as promising newcomers, they were welcomed as serious musicians capable of sharing the stage with some of the greatest voices in the industry.
One of the defining moments in their early career came when Barbra Streisand invited the trio to join her on portions of her North American tour. Performing with an artist whose career spans generations represented far more than another concert opportunity—it was a powerful endorsement from one of music’s most respected performers. The experience also left a lasting impression on the young singers.
Looking back on that collaboration, Gianluca Ginoble recalled being amazed by Streisand’s dedication to every detail of a performance. He explained that watching her oversee every aspect of a concert—from the orchestra and setlist to production and presentation—taught the trio that natural talent alone is never enough. Success, he said, also requires discipline, preparation, and constant commitment to excellence.
Another legendary figure who has played a significant role in Il Volo’s journey is Plácido Domingo. Rather than simply appearing together for a single performance, Domingo conducted and performed alongside the trio during their celebrated Notte Magica: A Tribute to The Three Tenors concert in Florence. The project paid tribute to Domingo, José Carreras, and Luciano Pavarotti while introducing a new generation of listeners to some of the world’s greatest classical repertoire.
Working with Domingo carried enormous significance for the three young singers. His willingness to mentor and perform with them was widely viewed as recognition of both their vocal ability and their commitment to preserving the tradition of bel canto while presenting it in a way that modern audiences could embrace.
The trio has often spoken about the advice they received from the legendary artists they have encountered throughout their careers. According to Piero Barone, one lesson has remained constant regardless of who they were performing with: talent must always be matched by humility. He has said that many of the greatest stars he has met—including Barbra Streisand—shared not only extraordinary musical ability but also genuine professionalism and kindness behind the scenes.
Perhaps one reason so many respected musicians admire Il Volo is that the trio has never attempted to imitate opera singers while claiming to be something they are not. Instead, they openly describe themselves as classical crossover artists, blending opera, pop, and traditional Italian music into a style designed to introduce younger audiences to timeless melodies without losing their original beauty.
That philosophy has helped them remain relevant in an era dominated by rapidly changing musical trends. Rather than chasing whatever is currently popular, Il Volo has continued building concerts around powerful live vocals, orchestral arrangements, and songs that have endured for generations. Their performances celebrate Italian musical heritage while also embracing audiences from around the world through multilingual repertoires and cultural collaborations.
Over the past decade and a half, the trio has filled prestigious venues including Arena di Verona and New York’s Radio City Music Hall, while selling millions of albums worldwide. Their continued success demonstrates that audiences still appreciate authentic live singing delivered with technical excellence and emotional sincerity.
For many fans, the admiration shown by legends such as Barbra Streisand and Plácido Domingo says more than any award or chart position ever could. These are artists whose standards have been shaped by decades at the very highest level of music, and their willingness to perform with, mentor, and encourage Il Volo reflects the respect the trio has earned through years of dedication and professionalism.
As the music industry continues evolving through new technology and changing trends, Il Volo remains committed to the qualities that first captured the attention of some of the world’s greatest performers: exceptional vocal ability, unwavering professionalism, humility, and a passion for keeping timeless music alive for future generations. It is those qualities—more than any single performance—that continue to earn them admiration from both legendary artists and devoted fans around the globe.
