Marie, fdcunnane sent a message just for you: “There were no surprises except that Ignazio is even more handsome and his hair was incredibly gorgeous.“
Imagine that!
___________________________________________________________________
I thought I would include the full Il Volo Experience from our attendees Margaret, fdcunnane, Camille, and Phil!
From Margaret: “I’m not sure where to begin or know if I can describe just how beautiful Il Volo’s concert was last evening. It truly was a “magical night”. I attended the concert with my son Michael. I did not have the Meet and Greet but was fortunate to get a seat in the front row in the center. (When I ordered the tickets there was one seat available in front and one directly behind, so my son sat right behind me). I thought there would be two smaller rows of seats in the “pit” in front but someone told me they took those seats out to extend the stage since the orchestra was very large and they very good. I didn’t get the name of the Maestro but Piero mentioned that he was from Sicily. They had music stands set up slightly to the left where they would place their music just as they had in Florence.
The President of the State Theatre came out and mentioned that this would be the third time Il Volo would be performing there and asked that people not take pictures or videos and to just enjoy the moments. It was very exciting looking around and seeing the theatre full of people. The orchestra came out and played the opening of their concert La Forza Destino and then Il Volo came out to tremendous applause. They were in their new suits I believe, and they looked wonderful and so happy. They began with Nessun Dorma and it was so beautiful. Their voices were better than ever before which is hard to believe. I was smiling the entire time and almost cried. I was just so happy and grateful that I was able to see and hear them and to be so close. They really followed their concert in Florence. I think it was after Ignazio sang Tonight (I had written down when they sang it but can’t find the paper), that they announced they were going to sing Ave Maria, Mater Misericordiae and it would be the first time they would be performing it live. They tried to be solemn and Piero made a blessing gesture with his hand and they kidded a bit. Gianluca said they hoped to sing it someday before Pope Francis. I was so happy they included this song and it was wonderful. As you can imagine, all the solos and duets were amazing and got tremendous applause. They would laugh and make a few jokes when one or two of them had to leave the stage for the solos and duets. I couldn’t help standing up and cheering after almost every song and many people were doing so, especially after the solos and duets. They were so happy and smiling and really appreciated seeing and hearing how much the audience loved them. I did bring some flowers since I knew I would be very close to the stage. After each of their first solos, I was able to give them to Ignazio, Gianluca and Piero. Their voices were just so powerful and they were absolutely perfect.
There was a 15 minute intermission also, along with the intermezzos. They finished with another beautiful Nessun Dorma and I was able to shake hands with Ignazio and Gianluca. It was funny that as they were leaving the stage, Piero stopped to pick up their music. After much clapping, they came out again and sang an encore of I believe Libiamo Ne’ Lieti Calici. At this point my brain wasn’t functioning so well since I was so happy.
I wore my Flight Crew Badge and Mary Ellen from the Flight Crew noticed it. She was sitting in the row behind me with her two friends. They were all so nice and it was great to talk to them before and after the show. We were all so happy to see Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca and loved the show. I feel blessed to be able to see them in person at their concerts. I originally bought tickets for Radio City Music Hall and will be going tomorrow with my son. But when they added the concert in Easton, I definitely wanted to see them there since it is a much smaller theatre and it was wonderful seeing them there in February, 2016.”
___________________________________________________________________
From FDCunnane: “The show was fabulous. The guys looked beautiful and sounded even better. It was as I suspected a more “formal” show. No dancing and very little joking around. My husband missed the style of the previous shows, the activity and the band. The orchestra was excellent and the State Theater is a beautiful old intimate venue. The audience was for the most part an “older group”. There were some young girls but not the usual amount. At the show last year in Easton there were many more young people than last night. We were in the front row and next to me was a mother and her 15 year old daughter who had come from Canada just to see Il Volo. Our seats were on the right side and The guys were to the left and never moved from there except to receive flowers and to bow at the end. We had a clear view of them but in previous concerts they had moved around and you got to see them closer. There were no surprises except that Ignazio is even more handsome and his hair was incredibly gorgeous. Yes Marie it is true. The M&G was as usual rushed but certainly not to be missed. The group for the M&G was smaller and “older” than usual but I don’t know the reason. Perhaps there were less M&G’s available. I hate to report this but while waiting for the guys to arrive at the M&G I heard the word “boring” used to describe the show. It was a man’s voice but I did not turn around to see who said that word because I know he would have gotten my “dirty look”. Perhaps he didn’t want to be there because the show was in no way boring. I loved the show and even though my husband would have liked seeing more “action” he enjoyed the show. We will be seeing them again on Tuesday at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia which has been my wish since the first time I saw them. The Kimmel Center is a fabulous venue. Can’t wait.“
___________________________________________________________________
From Camille: “I was at the concert in Easton last night.
It was emotional and exciting when they came on stage and they were smiling and relaxed and looked so handsome in their new suits.
I love my DVD and CD but to hear them sing those songs live was breathtaking – their voices were always beautiful but now that they are older they are just incredible. The duets were so moving and the part I love is when they are done singing a song they hug each other or high fives – you can truly see that they love and support each other.
Piero told a story that he and Gianluca sometimes call their own brothers – not by their names but by each other’s names – but he said Ignazio calls his dog their names. They were so charming, joking with each other and the audience. You could see they were truly happy to be on stage – they received a standing ovation and bravo’s after each song.
A nice surprise was they sang the new Ave Maria, which was wonderful. I did not know this but they said that it was written for them and that one day they would hope to sing it for Pope Francis.
Second surprise – at the end after they sang Nessum Dorma again and took their standing ovation -they took their music books and left the stage(well actually Piero took all of the books, Gianluca and Ignazio forgot to take their books) – we thought they were done but they came back out and sang Labiamo (hope I spelled it right) – Ignazio said it was the drinking song.
The orchestra was wonderful – they played alone just like in Florence – the maestro (can’t pronounce his name was very sweet – don’t know if he is with them for the entire tour or just last night.
There are so many words to describe them – but for me and I know for most of us they just get into your heart. I know if I am having a bad day – just listening to them makes everything better.
I wish everyone who loves them could get to see them – but for those who can’t I hope this gives you a little insight into what is is like to be there. I an also going to see them in Philadelphia and I have a meet and greet – feel so lucky that I can be there.
May they be safe during all this travelling and may they stay together for many, many years – cannot imagine a day without them.”
___________________________________________________________________
From Phil: “The orchestra played about 10 minutes then The Boys came out. Opening number was Nessum Dorma followed by Grenda. This show had many numbers with just two of the three with the third jokingly getting offstage. The first half of the show lasted about an hour. The second was somewhat shorter. Their harmonies were great with Piero’s strong vocals receiving several standing ovations. The sound was excellent with the exception of an occasional problem with an unsettling loud long lasting base sound. I missed not hearing Grande Amore and Ciao Ciao Bambina, but you can’t have everything!”
___________________________________________________________________
Thank you one and all for sending in comments and photos! For those attending the next concerts, please don’t forget to send us your “experience” and photos. We will try and include as many as we possibly can and apologize if we cannot use everything.
The web address is flightcrew.nottemagica2017@gmail.com
__________________________________________________________________
Next up! Radio City and the Rockettes! Um – I mean Il Volo!