There is something magical that happens when Il Volo takes the stage. The Italian trio of teen tenors performed at The Fillmore in Miami Beach Oct. 6. and tears flooded down my face as they sang their first notes. The last time I heard many of their classic Italian love songs such as “‘O Sole Mio” and “Granada,” my late grandfather Leonardo Magazzolo was singing these songs to me. But getting to see Piero Barone, 17, Ignazio Boschetto, 17, and Gianluca Ginoble, 16, sing immaculate renditions of these songs brought me a sense of peace and hope. Barone happens to come from the same town in Sicily as my grandpa–Agrigento.
The Fillmore was was filled with the vivacious spirit and sound of Italy and I no longer weep for the future of music–not after hearing Il Volo live. Their crescendoing harmonies and impressive, sinewy tones go right through your cells and hit you at the very core of your being. Even if you don’t speak Italian or identify at all with traditional Italian songs such as “Funiculi Funicula,” Il Volo speaks a universal language of talent. Yes, after watching Boschetto belt out a few bars of “Mamma,” as well as Luciano Pavarotti could, it’s easy to forget this dude is the same age as that other teen idol Justin Bieber.
There were a few moments in the show though where Il Volo, did demonstrate their youth. In between their tenacious ballads, Barone and Boschetto tried to playfully out do each other on timpani drum solos while Ginoble attempted a few bars of Michael Bublé’s single “Home.” The show closed with a medley of songs from Il Volo’s Christmas album, which is slated for release at the end of November.

For more on Il Volo, check out this recent interview Boschetto did with City Link.