MY FIRST IL VOLO CONCERT

Chicago, Illinois – March 18, 2017

On Friday, the day before the concert, we walked a block from our hotel to the Civic Opera House to get some pictures in the daylight. What an impressive building! I was surprised to see no marquee or even a sign mentioning the IL VOLO concert the next evening.

Saturday evening we arrived at the Civic Opera House just before the doors opened. After we went in and got our VIP tags and bags, I walked into that grand hall. I did exactly what someone on the blog (I think it might have been Marie) recommended we do – I stopped and looked and took it all in. I did the same thing when we entered the theatre. It was glorious! We walked down the red carpeted aisle to our front row seats on the right side of the stage. I turned around and looked at the whole theatre and the balconies. It was a beautiful space!

I hadn’t even sat down before two very nice ladies came up and asked for one of the wristbands I had made to share at this concert. Before the show started I gave some more out to those around me and finally grabbed a handful and sent them down the front row. It was so much fun!

For some reason we were told immediately after taking our seats that no photos or videos were allowed! I was shocked! I heard some say that it was by request of IL VOLO. Why? I had seen photos and videos from the preceding shows. How could my luck as a first time IL VOLO concert attendee be so bad? Me, being the rebel I am, took discreet photos and videos until they told me to quit about 2/3 of the way thru the concert.

I was in heaven when the boys stepped onto the stage. I couldn’t believe I was really there! Their voices and the music just took me away to that “other place”. I didn’t know anyone else existed at that point. After Nessun Dorma, when we all jumped up to applaud, Gianluca looked over at us and I pointed at him, he smiled and pointed back at me and winked! I just about fell over!

All through the concert it was all I could do to restrain myself from singing along, especially on Grande Amore and their new Ave Maria. The musicians who accompany the boys are exceptional. Together they take the music they perform to a new level of expression and emotion.

One thing that really struck me and still stands out in my mind is how dazzling the boys’ smiles were when they stepped to center stage in the spotlight to take their bows after their solos and duets. It took me totally by surprise!

Of course, all too soon, the concert ended and we waited in our seats to go to the M&G. We didn’t have to wait long at all before we were instructed to go upstairs to the M&G room. The whole setting was a relaxed atmosphere, almost like a party! I talked with some people and continued giving out the last of my wristbands making sure that Leonora Ginoble, Gaetano Barone, and Ignazio’s girlfriend, Alessandra, also got one. I barely got done with the wristbands when it was my turn for Meet & Greet!

When I first stepped up I handed each of them their little silver organza bags that contained wristbands, another bracelet and a personal message from me. I then told them that my birthday was two days before and my friend, Patty’s was a week before that. Gianluca looked me straight in the eyes and told me, “Buon compleanno!” I said, “Thank you” instead of “Grazie” – darn, I forgot to say it in Italian! I then asked each of them for a birthday hug and then stepped between Gianluca and Piero. My friend, Patty, stood next to Ignazio. Gianluca was softly humming something that was very high and sweet. I did not recognize the tune. Wow! I wish he would have kept doing that forever! As we were standing there looking at the photographer I told him, “You know, I sing along with all your songs.” And he said, “Oh yeah?” I then said, “Yes, and I sing YOUR part!” Then FLASH, FLASH, FLASH! I never heard the photographer say, “1,2,3”. I’m sure I was having a “first IL VOLO M&G” brain fog and that’s why neither me nor Gianluca had smiles on our faces. We were having a “moment” and still talking! I did remember after that to ask Gianluca what happened during Grande Amore. I saw him mess up the lyrics just a little and then grin at Ignazio. I told him I saw it, he then said, “Go ask Ignazio what happened!” So I walk over and asked him. He looked a bit surprised, smiled and said, “I don’t know!” I am sure he did know!

Overall my first IL VOLO concert and M&G was a great experience, I didn’t feel too rushed when with the boys but I still didn’t remember to tell them everything that I wanted to say. There’s always next time!

I met a lot of nice folks in Chicago who share the same love for these three delightful young men, among them were Jana, Betty, Chris, Lorna and Harriett with her friends. I loved hearing the guys say in an interview that when they go to each concert here in the U.S. they feel like we are their family out in the audience. I’m sure they realize that we all wish only the best for them and continue to support them because we ARE a kind of family brought together by this phenomenon called IL VOLO!

Patricia Ward

Pitterpat0

Thank you Pat for a most beautiful first-time review of our boys!  We are so glad you had a great experience!

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