NEW YORK – When the three singers ofIl Vololeft Italy for the United States to sign a record deal, it was the first time any of the then-teenagers had visited the country. It was 2009, and the trio signed with Geffen Records. At the time, Geffen and its sister labels housed the likes of50 Cent,Eminem,Maroon 5and theBlack Eyed Peas, and those groups topped charts with hip-hop, pop and dance songs.
Still, Il Volo stuck to its goal of bringing bel canto (beautiful singing) to a global audience and they never considered the idea that they could potentially switch genres.
"We don't want to be a copy of someone who does it better than us," Gianluca Ginoble, 31, tells USA TODAY alongside his groupmates Piero Barone, 32, and Ignazio Boschetto, 31. "We are operatic pop singers. It's like asking the Black Eyed Peas to sing 'Nessun dorma.'"
The reference is an aria from the final act of the Italian opera "Turandot." The solo song has been used in a number of films and it was performed by Andrea Bocelli at theopening ceremonyfor the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. The trio says they have a "great" relationship with the Italian tenor, who they all count as an inspiration.
And yes, Bocelli has even offered the three younger vocalists some advice on what to do both on and off stage.
"The best advice he gave us? Eat the pasta, but with the ancient grains," Barone reveals as the guys laugh. Ancient grain pasta is an alternative to modern wheat and can be easier to digest. "If you eat the pasta with ancient grains, you are not going to suffer with jet lag, you're not going to suffer before a concert. Since I personally ate ancient grain pasta, my life changed completely."
Advertisement
Il Volo on touring the U.S. and meeting Pope Leo XIV
Il Volo is in the middle of a spring tour in the U.S. that runs until May 2. The operatic pop triorevealed exclusivelyto USA TODAY that they'll return to North America this fall for additional dates on theirworld tour. The eight-city trek kicks off Nov. 10 in Hollywood, Florida, and wraps Nov. 21 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
However Il Volo jokes that while in the U.S., the group may not be looking to find the best restaurants that serve ancient grain pasta.
"Bring me to something typical here, right?" Boschetto says. "When you come to Italy, I'm not going to tell you, 'Let's do a beautiful barbecue,' because (Americans) are better than us at that."
A-listers are welcoming in spring 2026 by stepping out at star-studded events, including the premieres of "The Drama" and "You, Me & Tuscany." Still to come this month will be the premiere of the Michael Jackson biopic "Michael" and the annual CinemaCon convention.Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of April so far, starting with Robert Pattinson, left, and Zendaya at the premiere of "The Drama" on April 2, 2026, in New York City. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Eddie Murphy poses with his AFI Lifetime Achievement Award at the 51st annual ceremony honoring him at the Dolby Theatre on April 18, 2026, in Los Angeles.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Coleman Domingo, Eddie Murphy and Nia Long attend the 51st annual AFI Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony honoring 2026 recipient Eddie Murphy.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Mike Myers attends the 51st annual AFI Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony honoring Eddie Murphy.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Mike Myers appears as Shrek while speaking at the 51st annual AFI Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony honoring Eddie Murphy.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Robert Downey Jr. attends the 12th annual Breakthrough Prize ceremony.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rob Lowe and Sheryl Berkoff
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ben Affleck
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Echo Quan and Ke Huy Quan
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Gayle King
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Elvia Lind and Oscar Isaac
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Paris Hilton and her husband Carter Reum
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Adam Levine and wife Behati Prinsloo
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Octavia Spencer
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michelle Yeoh
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Charlie McDowell and Lily Collins
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michelle Williams
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Olivia Wilde
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Salma Hayek Pinault
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jessica Chastain
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Gal Gadot
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Christina Aguilera
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Billie Eilish was chosen as Justin Bieber's "One Less Lonely Girl" as he performed during Coachella Weekend 2 on April 18, 2026 in Indio, Calif.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Justin Bieber performs on the Coachella Stage during the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kacey Musgraves performs in the Mojave Tent during the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 18, 2026.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
French Montana, Hugel and Ty Dolla $ign pose for a portrait backstage in the Sahara Tent during the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 17, 2026.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sophia Laforteza, Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel and Yoonchae of KATSEYE pose for a portrait backstage in the Sahara Tent during Coachella on April 17, 2026.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Will Ferrell and wife Viveca Paulin attend LACMA's opening gala for the David Geffen Galleries.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Heidi Klum attends LACMA's opening gala for the David Geffen Galleries.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Alicia Keys attends LACMA's opening gala for the David Geffen Galleries.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Lionel Richie and Lisa Parigi attend LACMA's opening gala for the David Geffen Galleries.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Joe Jonas toasts to Coachella Weekend One ahead of a surprise appearance at the Aperol Day Club during day one of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 10, 2026, in Indio, California.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
It's a "Scrubs" reunion! Creator Bill Lawrence (from left), Donald Faison, Zach Braff, John C. McGinley, Sarah Chalke, Christa Miller, Aseem Batra, Judy Reyes, moderator Vanessa Bayer and Neil Flynn arrive for ABC's "Scrubs" panel during the 2026 PaleyFest LA at Dolby Theatre on April 11, 2026, in Hollywood, California.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sarah Chalke
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Donald Faison
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Zach Braff
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Donald Faison, Zach Braff and Sarah Chalke
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Olivia Wilde attends the Fashion Trust Awards at Nya Studios on April 8, 2026, in Los Angeles.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chrissy Teigen
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Selma Blair
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Uzo Aduba
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Melissa McCarthy
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jurnee Smollett
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Lili Reinhart
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Emily V. Gordon, left, and Kumail Nanjiani
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Alison Brie
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Mindy Kaling
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Frankie Muniz attends the premiere of "Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair" in New York on April 7, 2026.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jane Kaczmarek
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Bryan Cranston
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
From left, Jane Kaczmarek, Frankie Muniz and Bryan Cranston
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Christopher Masterson
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Justin Berfield
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Zendaya attends the premiere of "Euphoria" Season 3 on April 7, 2026, in Hollywood, California.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Jacob Elordi
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sydney Sweeney
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Alexa Demie
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Hunter Schafer
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Chloe Cherry
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Yvette Nicole Brown attends the PaleyFest presentation of "Pluribus" in Hollywood, California, on April 4, 2026.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rhea Seehorn
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Robert Pattinson attends the premiere of "The Drama" on April 2, 2026, in New York City.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Zendaya
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Alana Haim
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Mamoudou Athie
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Paul Dano
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Matt Rogers
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Heidi Klum
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Halle Bailey, left, and Chloe Bailey attend a screening of "You, Me & Tuscany" on April 2, 2026, in Los Angeles.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Halle Bailey, left, and Chloe Bailey
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Halle Bailey speaks at a screening of "You, Me & Tuscany" at Spelman College on April 1, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sharon Stone visits SiriusXM Studios on April 1, 2026, in New York City.
" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
See Justin Bieber, Zendaya and more in best celeb photos of April
A-listers are welcoming in spring 2026 by stepping out at star-studded events, including the premieres of "The Drama" and "You, Me & Tuscany." Still to come this month will be the premiere of the Michael Jackson biopic "Michael" and the annual CinemaCon convention.Scroll through for the best celebrity photos of April so far, starting with Robert Pattinson, left, and Zendaya at the premiere of "The Drama" on April 2, 2026, in New York City.
The trio has a few more food hot takes up their sleeves: no pineapple on pizza and "shorter" (smaller) coffees. But as for performing on stage, Ginoble says the group is "really happy to be back on tour" and will be backed by a "big orchestra."
In between their strings of dates in North America, Il Volo will play a number of shows back in Italy this summer. In August 2025, the group performed in Rome forPope Leo XIVduring the Catholic Jubilee celebration. Barone remembers a cardinal introducing the group to Pope Leo before their performance.
"'Oh, I know them. I've listened since 15 years ago to your music,'" Barone recalls the pope saying as he shook their hands. "He's my favorite."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Italian trio Il Volo says Pope Leo XIV is their favorite. Here's why.