Gianluca Ginoble: A Musical Journey Rooted in Family and Passion
As I grew older, my passion for singing only deepened — especially for the great American classics. Among them, Frank Sinatra holds a special place in my heart.
Though I never formally studied music, it was always present in my home. My grandfather Ernesto was a musician from a young age, playing the contralto flugelhorn in our town’s band. He toured all across Abruzzo, sharing his love of music and nurturing a deep appreciation for opera.
My father, Ercole, also studied music and played drums — his taste leaned more toward rock than classical, but the influence was just as strong. My parents say they realized I had something unique in my voice when I began singing at age three or four. But true to their nature, they never pushed — they simply let things unfold naturally.
It was my grandfather who first thought to guide me toward music. His taste was classic and deeply rooted in the past — artists like Luciano Tajoli and Pavarotti filled our home. Around age eight or ten, I began exploring classical music and opera, along with songs from the ’50s and ’60s. I would put cassette tapes into a recorder and listen with total immersion, my parents say.
They tell the story of how, at just three years old, I sang “O Sole Mio” in the town square in front of my grandfather’s friends. That was my first audience — though I don’t remember it myself. My grandfather always encouraged me to study music, urging me to learn piano. I never did — but it remains one of my dreams, to one day sit at a piano and sing from the heart.
While my grandfather nurtured my classical side, my father introduced me to Fabrizio De André, Francesco De Gregori, Giorgio Gaber, and Antonello Venditti. As I matured, I fell in love with the American classics, especially Sinatra. He became more than an influence — he became a teacher of tone, phrasing, and perfect pronunciation.
As a child, I developed a deep and diverse musical culture. Though I no longer listen to classical opera regularly, I continue to admire Andrea Bocelli — an artist I discovered on my own path.
School was never my passion. I was lazy, not a great scholar, but my grades were good. I loved algebra in middle school. Most of all, I was drawn to languages — Spanish, French, English. I picked them up quickly, especially when we began singing in multiple languages. I naturally understood their musicality, and Sinatra helped me perfect pronunciation. Every word he sang was crystal clear, and I learned just by listening.
After middle school, I didn’t pursue a language high school — I figured I’d learn by traveling for work. In 2009, I enrolled in a classical high school as a private student to study Greek, Latin, and French. I enjoyed Greek more than Latin, but eventually, my studies had to stop in the second year. My work with Il Volo became too demanding, and school had to take a back seat.
Still, everything I’ve learned — from my family, from music, from experience — continues to shape who I am, both as a person and as a performer.