Legendary Soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa completely shattered all skepticism surrounding Il Volo’s true talent with a deep, technical analysis of their vocal ability.

In the world of classical Opera—where vocal standards are strictly scrutinized down to every breath—it is exceedingly rare for a Pop-Crossover group to gain recognition from true industry icons. Many critics long questioned whether Il Volo actually possessed legitimate operatic technique or if they were merely relying on microphones and sound production magic.
The ultimate answer came from Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, the legendary New Zealand Soprano and a global icon across the world’s most prestigious opera houses.
“Their Foundation is Incredibly Solid”
When asked by the media about the Il Volo phenomenon and how they bring classical music to younger audiences, Kiri Te Kanawa delivered an authoritative expert perspective:
“Talking about the vocal technique of these young men, what amazes me the most is their natural power and breath control. They may sing Pop, but their classical vocal foundation is incredibly solid.”
From the perspective of a Bel Canto master, Kiri Te Kanawa pinpointed the core strength that sets Il Volo apart: their flawless breath support and diaphragmatic control.
A Decisive Answer to the Skeptics
For any vocalist, maintaining a natural vibrato without straining the throat requires thousands of hours of rigorous training. Kiri Te Kanawa’s endorsement serves as a “golden seal of approval,” proving that Il Volo possesses genuine classical roots rather than being a product of auto-tune or media hype.
It is precisely this solid technical foundation highlighted by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa that has enabled Il Volo to maintain peak performance, holding powerful, space-shattering high notes in front of stadiums with tens of thousands of fans for over 15 years.