Within the trio Il Volo, if Ignazio Boschetto represents artistic freedom and Gianluca Ginoble embodies meticulous attention to detail, Piero Barone stands as the absolute symbol of unyielding discipline. Possessing the group’s most standard and powerful Dramatic Tenor voice, Piero fully understands that the gift nature bestowed upon him is also the most fragile if not cared for with utmost vigilance every single day.
When interviewed about his secrets to maintaining peak performance across thousands of international shows, Piero amazed many by revealing an extraordinarily strict—almost “eccentric”—lifestyle:
“The voice is a very sensitive engine. I don’t drink cold water, I never talk too loudly in noisy places, and I practice my vocal exercises every day on schedule like a track athlete,” Piero shared.
The “Monk” Behind the Stage Spotlight
While entertainment stars often choose partying or gathering with friends to unwind after explosive shows, Piero prefers withdrawing to his hotel room. He strictly adheres to sleep schedules so his vocal cords can achieve full recovery. Regardless of weather or ambient temperature, a throat-protecting scarf and a bottle of warm water are his non-negotiable companions.
Many consider Piero’s level of caution over the top, but for the singer born in 1993, it is the mandatory price to pay for staying at the pinnacle of his craft:
“When the audience pays for tickets to see Il Volo, they expect to hear the most accurate and brilliant high notes. I cannot allow personal carelessness to compromise the quality of the entire group’s performance,” Piero affirmed.
The Pressure of Being the Climax “Drill” in Pop Opera
The reason Piero must maintain a “military-grade regime” for his throat stems from Il Volo’s song arrangements. In most compositions, Piero is assigned the bridge and the soaring climax chorus—where he must repeatedly strike notes like C5 and D5 with authentic Opera vibrato without relying on falsetto.
A minor hint of bodily fatigue or slight inflammation in his vocal cords could cause those high notes to sound off-key or lose resonance. The pressure to be “100% perfect every time I sing” forces Piero to treat throat protection as a matter of survival for his career.
Personal Sacrifices and Ultimate Respect for the Audience
This iron discipline requires Piero to sacrifice many normal daily habits. He admits he rarely participates in outdoor sports that carry risks of injury or catching a cold, and he frequently turns down evening social invitations.
Yet, rather than feeling restricted or forced, Piero views these trade-offs as the ultimate respect for the destiny chosen for him. His seriousness and iron willpower not only safeguard his gifted vocal range, but also serve as a solid emotional anchor, inspiring professionalism in his two bandmates, Ignazio and Gianluca, for over 15 years.
Behind those space-shattering high notes that give tens of thousands of audience members goosebumps lie silent sacrifices, sweat, and the unshakeable discipline of a true Opera artist.