This is not a review of a concert. It is a love letter, pure and simple.
If the mere thought of a woman deeply, emphatically, amazingly in love with three young men whose ages added together still do not reach her years on earth, makes you roll your eyes, turn away now and read no further.
How can I tell you how wonderful they really are? How could I possibly make it clearer than those of you who already know and have written about hearing, seeing, touching and once again falling in love with those Guys this concert season?
Well, Leelee, Ineke and I fell hard for them in Miami. What can I say? They were magnificent! No… Better than magnificent.. They were astoundingly brilliant! I don’t know how their voices could be fuller and richer than the last time I was privileged to experience IL Volo, but they were. El Trieste was a surprise and before the second chorus the Guys became blurry and I had to wipe the tears away.
Their friend and artist, Fabio was on stage and did a wonderful drawing of the Guys while they were singing.
Meet & Greet was quick. Just a hug, a cheek kiss, a few words and it was over. The really good part was when Piero looked at me and said, “Good to see you again.” He remembered me! I couldn’t get to the car fast enough before the tears came.
The next night the Guys were in Tampa. That’s where Ignazio tripped and hurt his shoulder. We didn’t attend that one, but we looked at pictures they published when they arrived in Ft. Myers. Leelee, being just a fine sleuth, thought the photo’s looked like the Hyatt. So we canceled previously made reservations, called the Hyatt and took off from Palm Beach!
Upon arriving we wondered if we had indeed chosen the correct hotel. Well, my “find the Boys” luck held out once again. As we walked up to the desk there was Mrs. Bochetto and Fabio (the artist) getting change to do some laundry. We said hello. Actually I said, “Hello my mother-in-law in my next life.” Fortunately she doesn’t understand English and I was saved by our language differences. Leelee and Ineke just shook their heads. I’m sure Fabio told her what the crazy stalker lady said. Fabio (what a looker!) stood around talking to us and posing for pictures. We were hungry and was eating when one of the guitar players (Patricio?) came out and spoke with us for a while.
Man oh man! Are all Italians that good looking? I think it was he who mentioned rehearsals at the venue soon. So you can imagine that we weren’t about to leave that lobby/dining area! In fact we wondered why no other fans had figured out where the Guys were. Sure enough we soon saw Pappa Barone and said a quick hello.
Then the band members came to hang out in the lobby. I asked if we could please take a couple of photo’s. They seemed pleased to be asked. Funny thing… The drummer misunderstood my request and tried to move out of my way. I said, “No, you.” he just beamed.
Next Piero came out and sat down. I asked for a photo and he immediately jumped up. I told him to just stay seated. He said “No, no” and came over to us. He looked at me and said, “I know you. We met in a gym on the..” he couldn’t remember the word for treadmill and made the motions.. I said, “treadmill” and he said, “right.” The only thing he couldn’t remember was where we were. I told him Milwaukee and he said, “Right, it’s cold there.” I handed Leelee my camera to take our photo and apparently she wasn’t holding it correctly. Piero kept giving her instructions on how to use it. I was hoping the instructions would last a day or two because he was holding on to me the entire time. I told him that I guessed that by now he knew all there was to know about cameras. He laughed (Oh what beautiful teeth!) and agreed. I said I would see him next in Las Vegas and also mentioned the Fan Faire.
He was called away by someone and soon Ignazio wandered out with his luggage.
His arm was in a sling from his injury the night before. We only said hello and asked how he was feeling. He said pretty good and that it was only a muscle pull. Barbara came out and we said hello to her. Everyone piled into a couple of vans and left. We wondered why we hasn’t seen Gianluca, but soon, trailed by his mom, out he flew obviously late. We just nodded to him and received a brilliant smile in return.
We couldn’t believe our luck that afternoon.
The concert that night was, of course, wonderful again. Ignazio’s shoulder gave comic fodder for the other two. The first thing that happened was someone brought out a black cloth with a crime scene body chalk line (and mustache) on it. They laid it on the stage where the “crime” happened. They all cracked up. Ignazio and the other two were comically cautious with his arm and many funny movements were made during the performance. He took the sling off while singing “Tonight”, but it was back on after the song.
They told a story about hiring an Uber car the day before so Piero and Gianluca could go to the beach. Piero started singing in the back and the driver said he should try and sing an IL Volo song. They convinced him that they were IL Volo and I guess he lost it. How proud Piero and Gianluca looked relating the story. They had the Uber driver stand up in the audience and they all gave him a big thumbs up.
Again, a swift Meet & Greet where Ineke held their attention with sweet gifts made by the Zulu people of South Africa. Gianluca loved it and apparently looked strait into her eyes. I know that because she has reminded me SEVERAL times since.
I met several Flight Crew Folks at those two concerts. I even met some really nice members from the Miami Fan Club who upon meeting me said, “IL Volo Flight Crew! You guys are legend!”
That evenings performance by our Guys was so spectacular we all cried for a while on the way home the next day.
I have to tell you all this little story although I have completely forgotten who told it to me. The story is that she was speaking with Barbara and told her that she got emotional whenever the Boys sang. Barbara told her that she has seen them through 400 concerts and still cries every time. I guess that sums up the power that is IL Volo.
Ineke and I left Florida and our wonderful friend and host, Leelee. We flew to my home in Ohio. Tomorrow we begin the second leg of our journey and venture to new York City. Ineke’s only request, besides the Guys, was to see the 911 Memorial. So we will spend a few days there before our train trip to Las Vegas. The Fan Faire will be topped only by another glorious concert. Then I’ll take off for home and Ineke for South Africa.
You have to know that If I were younger… If I was one-third my age… I would fight for one of them and I would surely win! But alas, if they are happy and treated with love and kindness and honesty and understanding then I am happy too. Be aware, however, if not treated exactly as I expect them to be, I have a ready passport.
After all who among us isn’t anxious to see the next generation IL Volo? For Gian to see that sweet smile we have always seen on his face repeated. Will Piero Jr. cry in operatic tones? Will little Inga continually jump out of his crib?
Soon my darlings, soon you will all be mine again. I will see you again in two weeks. Where you will, in a crowded theater, once again, Sing to me and me alone.
~Marie