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Review of IL Volo Sanremo Exclusive Edition
Release date: September 2015

IL Volo reissued their “Sanremo Grande Amore” EP originally released, February 12, 2015, adding three new songs to the play list. The EP is certified double platinum by the Federation of the Italian Music Industry. The EP is now titled, “Sanremo Exclusive Edition” part of a Deluxe Donor Package available on PBS Television. The package also includes a DVD of “IL Volo Live at Pompeii” and the new album, “Grande Amore International Version” released September 25, 2015. This unique EP is a thank you from IL Volo to fans for supporting public television. The Italian trio of Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble won the prestigious Sanremo Music Festival 2015 with their presentation of “Grande Amore” (Great Love). The new songs are live solo performances. This EP now becomes the first unofficial autobiography in song of IL Volo as a bel canto trio and individual artists.

A review of the original EP is available on this blog: Romance Is Back! ~ Sanremo Grande Amore ~ IL Volo March 27, 2015Romance Is Back! ~ San Remo Grand Amore ~ IL Volo

Italian Classical Song – Genre Bel Canto

The three new songs break away from the format of performed first at Sanremo Music Festivals and might seem to be randomly tacked on. IL Volo have had difficulty in fitting into a musical genre and mislabeled as pop, opera singers. In their first Detroit PBS TV special “IL Volo Takes Flight” recorded in February 2012, the singers called their genre classical pop primarily because they sing with a classical voice. Perhaps it is more correctly termed bell’arte del canto or bel canto, an Italian singing style focused on beautiful song presentation.

The Italian press has criticized IL Volo for reinforcing a stereotypical norm of Italian music abroad. Their program is almost identical to that of the Three Tenors but, IL Volo lack the gravitas. IL Volo cover established hits in English, Spanish and Italian, but include a new song or two with each CD. IL Volo found an audience first in North, South and Central America touring extensively from 2011 – 2014. It was the win at Sanremo with “Grande Amore” when success finally came on their home soil of Italy.

The updated EP is a reflection of their careers to date. “Grande Amore” is a new song. The next five are covers of popular Italian songs but perhaps new to the American audience. The three solo pieces best present them as individual artists and may foreshadow what may be.

Piero Barone ~ “E lucevan le stelle”

Barone’s voice is a dramatic rich tenor. He has mentioned he likes opera more than once. On a recent trip to New York City, he was filmed walking down the aisle of the Metropolitan Opera House. He spoke quietly but gazed about intently.

Barone sings Giacomo Puccini’s well-known aria for tenor, “E lucevan le stelle” from Tosca. This opera has been successful since the debut in Rome January 1900 and loved by many an opera fan. Barone is performing in the role of Mario Cavaradrossi. It’s a challenge because it is presented in Act III. The momentum of the story would help the aria come out naturally full of loss and love. Barone doesn’t have that advantage and must find the passion within.

Mario was a happy itinerant painter when we first meet him. His nights are filed with the tempestuous Floria Tosca. But, he lives in troubled times. The Wheel of Fortune spins and he finds his life in ruins swiftly, his comrade is on the run, he is being tortured for information, and his beloved Tosca may have betrayed him. He is taken away to die and writes one last letter. He pauses in his grief and sings;

“The stars were shimmering

The stars seemed to shimmer
The sweet scents of the garden,
The creaking gate seemed to whisper,
And a footstep skimmed over the sand.
Then she came in, so fragrant,
And fell into my arms!
Oh! sweet kisses, oh, languorous caresses,
While I, trembling, was searching
For her features, concealed by her mantle.
My dream of love faded away, for good!
Everything’s gone now.
I’m dying hopeless, desperate!
And never before have I loved life like this!
And never before have I loved life like this!

E lucevan le stelle

E lucevan le stelle
ed olezzava la terra
stridea l’uscio dell’orto
e un passo sfiorava la rena.
Entrava ella, fragrante,
mi cadea fra le braccia.
Oh! dolce baci, o languide carezze,
mentr’io fremente
le belle forme disciogliea dai veli!
Svani per sempre il sogno mio d’amore
L’ora e fuggita
e muoio disperato!
E non ho amato mai tanto la vita!
tanto la vita!

The aria is well performed technically. Barone has to tap into deep, complex emotions and bring them to life in song. If he wants to become an opera singer, he knows the task before him. The best are excellent actors, singers, and ensemble players. He needs endurance, wit and intelligence. Opera is live and does not have a microphone to project out to the last row. He would not be the first opera singer from his native Naro, Sicily. The last singer of note was Gero Rindone (1897-1952). And, like his town, he is perhaps a hidden pearl just waiting for his worth to be fully realized.

Too bad the critics don’t take into consideration that he is bringing one aria to an audience that might never otherwise hear it. He may open up an entire range of music to fans. By his presentation alone, fans can name one of the best composers of opera and start to appreciate all that makes Italy so unique in its celebration of art.

Boschetto ~ “Unchained Melody”

Boschetto’s voice is a lyric tenor. He has perfect pitch. Physically, he is the most at ease on stage. He sings “Unchained Melody” by Alex North and Hy Zaret for the solo performance. The song was been recorded by several artists including The Righteous Brothers in 1965 reaching No 4 on the Billboard Top 100 chart. Boschetto selects dramatic popular songs that start soft, rise to a crescendo and cascade back to earth. He is finding his sound and stirring profound emotions in the listener. He is able to get subtle emotions into his vibrato and interpret the spirit of the song writer.

Boschetto is highly entertaining, moving to his own inner rhythm. The solo recording almost captures his charismatic stage presence. His rendition of “Unchained Melody” gives him a vocal challenge, but he reaches the high C with ease.

His energy is in his spine. It is not stationery but moves up and down taking his sense of self with it. He and Barone often display a love you, whack you brotherly affection on and off stage. At times, the larking reflects back to their recent shift into a more sophisticated presentation. It is in those moments of bopping each other around, that the “kid” in them still comes through.

Gianluca Ginoble ~ “Anema e Core”

Ginoble’s voice is a lyric baritone. He has a natural purring vibrato with an ascending vocal that reaches the tenor range. Every year on the calendar gives his voice more nuance when he sings those sentimental songs in a soft voice. There’s always an audience for a crooner. “Anema e Core” or “With All My Heart and Soul” is a Neapolitan song written in 1950 by Salvatore d’ Esposito and Tito Manilo and covered by Dinah Shore, Dean Martin, and Perry Como. On this recording, Ginoble sings some of the lyrics in Italian and some in English. Ginoble’s energy is in the throat. The voice of the body.

Ginoble has been criticized for his quiet appearance on stage often without much facial expression. In concert, he does generally fall back and stand alone. The last show attended in Stamford CT, June 2014, he did better at standing and simply gazing out at the crowd. Showmanship can be learned. The audience needs to connect to the performer. The performer needs to learn to project goodwill in return. In many ways, he is a throwback to a more suave type of performer. This is music for lovers. Ginoble’s smooth voice in the background can get that champagne cork popped in no time.

IL Volo “Sanremo Exclusive Edition”, new fans of the trio might want to add this to their collection. It’s fresh, and very Italian. As with most musical artists, to know who they are, simply listen. IL Volo are new, traditional and classical all at once. They are Italian artists singing in the bel canto style.

As written by Frances Ann Wychorski

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Fans can find “Sanremo Exclusive Edition” from their PBS TV Station. I’ve included a link to the WGBH Boston webpage. I have not found it for sale separately but would advise fans be on the lookout through sources such as Amazon or Ebay.

For more information about IL Volo and their music, click on the link to their updated webpage. IL Volo Music

Photo Credits to IL Volo, Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble Instagram Accounts

IL Volo “Sanremo Exclusive Edition” @2015 Sony Music Entertainment USA Latin LLC