Yes, while you're applying in Italy for your Higher studies, then Learning Italian is not a Compulsion. You can be applying in English taught programs.
Yes, there are several Public universities who are providing the Bachelor and Masters courses solely in English language, in university the courses are taught in both langauges that is Italian / English, even though IELTS is not manadatory if your previous educaion was in English medium, if your previous educaion was in english then MOI (Medium of instruction certificate) will be required, it will work as a substitute for IELTS.