Italy has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 40 times since making its debut at the first edition in 1956 — it was actually one of only seven countries that competed the very first year. It has won the contest on two occasions, with Gigliola Cinquetti in 1964 and Toto Cutugno in 1990.
This year’s contestants, Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble met in 2009, when they participated in the national public service broadcaster Rai 1’s singing competition Ti lascio una canzone. That’s when the director of the show had the idea of putting the three of them together, with the idea of creating a trio similar to The Three Tenors — Plácido Domingo, José Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti. At least that was the idea.
Never shying away from creating new pompous names for genres that basically all sound the same, the Eurovision Song Contest’s official site defines Il Volo as a “powerhouse Italian pop opera trio.” Sure. Whatever.
On top of ruining already-too-cheesy movie scenes in its music video, their song, “Grande Amore” (Great Love) asks the big questions: “Tell me why when I think, I only think of you/Tell me why when I see, I only see you/Tell me why when I believe, I believe in you.”
Soooo, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, there’s three of you — so how does it work: Are you all singing about the same girl or something? You guys have a problem.
Our vote:
Does it make you want to visit that country? 3.75/10
Was there enough glitter? 6.25/10
Ok to quit your day job? 1.75/10
OVERALL AVERAGE: 3.92/10