MUSIC

In May 2009, three fresh-faced teenagers, Piero Barone (17), Ignazio Boschetto (16), and Gianluca Ginoble (16), appeared on the popular Italian talent show Ti Lascio Una Canzone and dazzled television viewers with their flawless rendition of the Neapolitan standard O Sole Mio. The boys, who won the competition easily, decided their group needed a name. Il Volo, meaning The Flight, was chosen to signify the feeling that these three young tenors were about to spread their wings and fly.

It wasn't long before IL VOLO's managers; Michele Torpedine (who has looked after the careers of Andrea Bocelli and Italian rock star Zucchero) and world renowned singer/producer Tony Renis who landed a worldwide recording contract for the trio with Universal Music Group which released IL VOLO's self-titled debut album in Italy November 2010.

The album is already certified gold and on its way to platinum status in their home country and will see a worldwide release in 2011. In addition, the group became the first Italian artists to sign with Geffen Records in the United States, with an album in the works.