Do you feel that? The excitement in the air! It’s been going on since last week but, it intensified on the morning of June 5th with Ignazio’s message. “Finally, June 5th! You don’t know how long we waited for this day! How many days to think, to study, to develop ideas! How many days to hope it would come! Today is an important day for the entire music industry. We start singing in front of an audience!”
You can hear the excitement in his voice! His words sent chills up and down my spine. His words say it’s over! We made it! Live is back!
Let’s go to the stage!
Did you notice the interesting scenery? So different from what we are used to in an Il Volo concert. Spectacular scenery! And the videos that go along with each song. Such precision! Just amazing! Everything so well thought out. Down to the last detail!
The guys kept the set list a secret. They wanted to surprise all of us. Piero said, “As for the set list we like to keep it a secret. We will try to satisfy every need of our audience by always keeping the master at the center.” And that they did!
Remembering Morricone’s music and having our guys sing it is by far one of the most incredible things that can happen for us. An event that will never be repeated by anyone! Spectacular!
Piero went on to say, “The Concert will anticipate the album that will be released later.” We anxiously await the release!
While they were dealing with the pandemic, they were being very productive. Gianluca said, “We dealt with the pandemic productively, we tried not to give up. Young people must not give up the strength to believe in their dreams and pursue their goals.” He also went on to thank the Morricone family for allowing them to sing an unreleased song, written by Andrea Morricone, “I Colori dell’amore.” A very beautiful song!
Piero was excited to say that: “This is the first time we have performed live TV.” Well guys you did an amazing job!”
We really appreciate the tribute to Ennio Morricone because as Ignazio reminded us “it is the only (concert) date scheduled in 2021.”
I must say, the Morricone project kept them very busy. They had to select and study songs from the master’s repertoire. That was no easy task.
So how do you go about selecting the songs and fitting them to your voice. It’s very difficult! Let me remind you about something Ignazio said about recording a song. Ignazio explains, “….a take is the recording of the single phrase that each of us sings when we record a song. We continue to redo it until we get the best version.”
Can you imagine going through all of Morricone’s songs and deciding which ones to choose? Remember a song that may be good for a baritone may not be good for a tenor. So, what do you do? You redo the arrangements to fit your voice. How? You take the song apart and then decide which part is able to accommodate a tenor or baritone. Not an easy task! Think about some of the concerts where the guys have sung a song as a group (the three) and then decided it should be a duet. Why? Because it is more suitable to two voices perhaps baritone and tenor or tenor and spinto tenor. You need to see how it fits your voice and how it relates. In the end it’s all about the delivery. Once you’ve taken the song apart, you must put it back together again. Shall I say it again, not an easy task! It takes months to rearrange this many songs and believe me these guys worked very hard for long hours and long periods of time, many, many months, to get these songs where they needed to be. Great songs, arranged to great voices!
Let me give you an example of what I’m talking about. These are the words to the song “Se Telefonando.” It is a song that was performed by a famous Italian singer, Mina. It was released in May 1966. I want you to listen to Mina sing the song and then listen to Il Volo sing it. You will note that the words did not change. Just the arrangement changed to fit the voices of our guys.
Lo stupore della notte
Spalancata sul mar
Ci sorprese che eravamo sconosciuti
Io e te.
Poi nel buio le tue mani
D’improvviso sulle mie,
È cresciuto troppo in fretta
Questo nostro amor.
Se telefonando
Io potessi dirti addio
Ti chiamerei.
Se io rivedendoti
Fossi certa che non soffri
Ti rivedrei.
Se guardandoti negli occhi
Sapessi dirti basta
Ti guarderei.
Ma non so spiegarti
Che il nostro amore appena nato
È già finito.
Se telefonando
Io volessi dirti addio
Ti chiamerei.
Se io rivedendoti
Fossi certa che non soffri
Ti rivedrei.
Se guardandoti negli occhi
Sapessi dirti basta
Ti guarderei.
Ma non so spiegarti
Che il nostro amore appena nato
È già finito
So now you can understand what I mean by taking a song and arranging it to fit another voice. Without changing the words look at how the song has changed. The delivery is spectacular! Just magnificent!
The studio work is done. The songs are in the bag and everything in place. It’s time for the guys to restart the live concerts! In essence, symbolically, restart the entire sector.
As to Rai 1, Claudio Fasulo explained, “For our flagship network it is an honor to host this date. Rai 1 wants to remember Morricone who has done so much for our culture through the many arts. I wanted three young people to do it that I admire so much. They were born into a talent, but they also teach us that talent is sometimes meritocratic.”
“Il Volo has the artistic and behavioral characteristics of Rai 1. It is no coincidence that in our schedules of great music, the trio is always present. Dedicating an evening to Ennio Morricone was a duty for us.”
Gianluca says: “For us it is a great journey, a wonderful adventure. A year after his death we want to remember the master in the best way. We were born as child prodigies and after 12 years of career we can say that this project makes us proud and makes us feel more mature”.
Piero says, “At last, we sing. It’s been a tough year and there’s a desire to get on stage and bring all the workers in the show with us. I want to point out that it will not be the orchestra that will accompany us, but we will sing together.” Alluding to the long-awaited return to live, Ignazio said, “Let’s go back to singing in one of the largest outdoor theaters in the world, finally safe. The ancient sayings are always the truest, hope is the last to die.”
In an interview given to the magazine Mio, Piero, allowed himself to go to a painful confession about the very hard period from which we come and, which now seems, fortunately, to give us a moment of respite. “Finally, we sing, after a year and a half we could not take it anymore! Ours is a dream job. We are incurable dreamers. Every wish is finally coming to fruition. On June 5th we will give a message of hope, there is a great desire to get on that stage.”
And that is exactly what they did!
So, let’s turn to the master!
You can ask anyone if they know who Ennio Morricone is, many people will say no. But, if you ask them if they know the theme song from “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.” They’ll say of course I know it. Everyone knows Morricone’s music! They may not know his name but, they certainly know his music.
So where did our guys begin the concert? They began with the most famous of Morricone’s songs from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – “The Ecstasy of Gold.” Smart! This song set the mood for the concert. What they did with this song and, the other songs, is amazing!
Let’s talk about some of the music. Let’s start by asking the question, “What made Morricone’s music different? Why was it so popular? Why was he the most sought after composer in the last 40 years? The answer is his arrangements and his style. Unlike anyone else in his time Morricone composed and wrote songs that reflected nature and reflected everyday life! In his music we hear the wind and the rain, the howls and the silence! Again, I will go back to songs like “Se Telefonando,” where we hear three notes in this song that represent the siren of a police car. He wrote about reality. How he heard it, is how he wrote. He didn’t describe the event he used the event! When you write a theme song or compose a score for a film, it has to draw you in. It has to tell the story before you witness it.
Now I’m going to step out of the concert for a moment but stick with Morricone because I need to pay a compliment to Ignazio.
As you recall, the first time we heard the song “Makari” which Ignazio composed and wrote, was during Sanremo 2021. When I heard the song, I felt like there was something very familiar about it. Last night after I wrote about three quarters of this article, I was tired so I went to bed. And, as it often happens with me, I wake up in the middle of the night and think about something I want to say in my story. This is what came to me. I finally figured out what was so familiar about “Makari.” Ignazio wrote in the style of Morricone. Think about it. What is Ignazio doing for us in this theme song? He is painting a picture for us! Remember I said, it has to draw you in. It has to tell the story before you witness it.
Ignazio’s song invites us to take a better look at this other land in the south (Sicily). It speaks of “a land of sages and a land of fools, made from devils and saints.” It invites you to live a new reality through his eyes. This is exactly what Morricone does in his songs.
In a Morricone song you hear life! In Ignazio’s song you hear the sounds of Sicily. It is the “silence” of the land that screams for you to open your eyes and look around at the wonder of the landscape, of Makari, and the traditions of the land that go deep into your soul?
There is something very mysterious in the song, Makari. Very much like Morricone’s “The Ecstasy of Gold” from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
Ignazio’s song sings about approaching Makari and, the colors of the island come to life. The houses, the people, it’s all there. It comes to life before you approach the shore! It’s written very much like a Morricone song. And that’s what I was feeling when I heard the song!
Ignazio, I said you are a great composer and, some day you will compose a great opera. This is the proof. You learned from the master! Imitation is the greatest compliment you can give anyone. You are your own master but, we have to begin somewhere and where you began was at the front door! Amazing!
Now, let’s get back to the concert!
I’m not going to write in any detail about the songs. There are a few other articles which will be written for Flight Crew this week which will discuss the songs individually. I am merely going to name the new songs and where necessary, give you some details on how they came about.
“Your Love” from Once Upon a Time in the West, is a song we all are familiar with. It is the song that the guys sang at Sanremo 2021. As Il Volo fans, this song will be with us forever. There are tender moments attached to it. It is an absolutely magnificent song. No one else could sing it like our guys. I know it touches my heart not just because of the circumstances but because of the emotion and passion the guys have when they sing this song. It will always be a signature song for them and for us!
So, what did they need in this production, a good pop song, set to music by Morricone, “Se Telefonando.” As I already mentioned, “Se Telefonando” is a song that was performed by a famous Italian singer, Mina. The music was composed, orchestrated and conducted by Ennio Morricone to Italian lyrics by Ghigo De Chiara and Maurizio Costanzo. The song was written for an episode of the Aria condizionata a Sunday morning television program. The main theme of the song was composed around just three notes, taken from the siren of a police car in Marseilles.
At this point, the guys did their solos. Where do I begin to talk about the solos?
As I said, I am not writing about the individual songs, but I will say that each of the guys’ solos were phenomenal. Gianluca’s “Your Song,” Ignazio’s “Listen” and Piero’s “No Puede Ser” were exceptional experiences in a sea of amazing voices.
What I will comment on is little Julian. Many critics praised him and so do I! See guys, this is how you were at 8 years old. Blowing everyone’s mind. Ignazio, if you didn’t already sign him, you need to do it before he gets away!
Riccardo Cocciante the guest of Il Volo sang “Quando finisce un amore,” an Ennio Morricone song which he first recorded in his Riccardo SOUL 1974 album.
We go back to the theme song of “Nuovo Cinema Paradiso” from the film of the same name. At the end of the song there is a small exchange between our guys and Salvatore Cascio, the child, now adult, of Nuovo Cinema Paradiso.
Raphael Gualazzi on the piano and Nina Zilli, together with Il Volo perform the beautiful theme song from the film of the same name, “Metti, una Sera a Cena.”
Next came “Here’s to You”, the theme from Sacco and Vanzetti. This was preceded by a reading of the story of the two unfortunate Italian immigrants, read by Giallini. For those of you who don’t know the story of Sacco and Vanzetti here is a brief summary:
Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were Italian immigrants, anarchists, who were controversially convicted of murdering a guard and a paymaster during the April 15, 1920, armed robbery of the Slater and Morrill Shoe Company in Braintree, Massachusetts.
A series of appeals followed, funded largely by the private Sacco and Vanzetti Defense Committee. As details of the trial and the men’s suspected innocence became known, Sacco and Vanzetti became the center of one of the largest causes célèbres in modern history.
Responding to a massive influx of telegrams urging their pardon, Massachusetts governor Alvan T. Fuller appointed a three-man commission to investigate the case. After weeks of secret deliberation, the commission upheld the verdict. Sacco and Vanzetti were executed in the electric chair just after midnight on August 23, 1927.
And so, we come to the end of the concert and the dedication of “Conradiana” to Vito Boschetto, Ignazio’s dad. “Conradiana” is a beautiful song written by Andrea Bocelli and Ennio Morricone. Very touching, very emotional and it certainly touched the heart of Ignazio and his brothers Piero and Gianluca, and I know it also touched our hearts.
We were so busy waiting for this Tribute that it seems we have missed an important event. Italy won Eurovision. What does that mean for us? It means next year Italy will host Eurovision. Rai, I don’t want to tell you how to do your job but, I think I know three very handsome, very talented young men who would absolutely be the best possible hosts for the program. Are You listening? Great events should have great people hosting them.
In closing today let me say that the guys showed us their talent and their love in this concert. And they really dedicated it to us. When they were singing their song, to Sacco and Vanzetti, they were saying to us, their fans, “Here’s to You.”
But what I really need to say is “Here’s to You” for a phenomenal, unforgettable, Concert!
Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!
If you would like to share a story with me, please email: susan.flightcrew@yahoo.com
To read more Il Volo stories visit us at www.ilvoloflightcrw.com
Credit to owners of all photos and videos.
All I need are more Il Volo video clips!!
Thank you for sharing your passion of Il Volo with us.
With deep appreciation!
Thank you!
I’m watching the concert again (thanks to you wonderful people). Looking at the fancy lapel pins and jackets longer than we are used to.
Does anyone know if they have a contract with Dolce and Gabbana? If I was G and B I would want our clothes to be worn by these fine looking young men.
My goodness! I can see why you would be tired and want to go to bed! i really appreciate how you explained about the different voices singing the same song. Thanks! I understand a bit better and really appreciate all the work Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio put into this concert. Can’t wait for some CDs, DVDs to come out of it. Now, I just go back to the posts you have written and enjoy it again.
Thank you!
So exciting to know they are back on stage. But I had tickets to see them in Las Vegas on March 15, 2020. Well we all know Vegas was cancelled and I went into the hospital for 8 days on March 16, 2020 for covid19.
I just want to know when are they going to be back in the USA???
Thank you
Their postings on other media say they plan to return tot he US in 2022. It’s too early for a schedule of performances, but we’re watching.
Jo Ann
Thank you Susan! I always look forward to reading your stories, the rest of us fans are blessed to have you and Daniela in our Il Volo family. Beautiful insightful story, full of great information, as usual. Please keep writing. Btw, I watched the whole concert 3 times already, and that’s besides viewing many single song videos. 🙂
Susan, Grazie mille. You have an exceptional talent to be able to put everyday words together and arrange them so they have more meaning than many of us could ever do. I agree with you about Ignazio and his ability as a composer, Also, for me, “Your Love” will always be “Vito’s Song”’. An Il Volo fan forever.
Rose Marie from Ohio
I agree with Rose 100%. I hinge on every word you write about these boys, especially Ignazio…Your Love will always be Vito’s Song for me as well..
Thank you Susan for an interesting and enlightening article.
Dear Susan
I didn’t realize how much time the boys put into getting their shows together they are so special and their performances show it. Great story
Jenny
Thank you so much Susan for sharing your wonderful thoughts with us. This concert was phenomenal and I was mesmerized by their beautiful music, the awesome setting and the sweetness and love that I am sure everyone felt.
I have been obsessed with Ennio Morricone’s beautiful music lately and I have to say that my first thought when I heard Makari, my immediate thought was how much it resembled a Morricone piece of music. Igna is so talented and there are no words to express how he amazes me.
I can’t wait until next March when they return to the stage in New York. I am planning on attending the concert and praying that the border opens soon.
Again, a million thanks for all your wonderful words and please know how much I appreciate all your hard work.
With love and gratitude ❤️
Barb
At what venue/concert hall will they perform in NY next year?
Radio City Music Hall
Is there anyway to find out what Ignazio was saying to Gianluca right before Ignazio sang “Listen”. It appeared that Gianluca had tears in his eyes. (In English) Thank you….
When Ignazio went downstage to introduce his solo with little Julian, he remarked that he felt alone down there. He may have been joking, but Piero told him in no uncertain terms, he was not ever alone. That may be what made Gianluca tear up. I watched it several times when I prepared a translation that Flight Crew will be posting soon, and that’s what I noticed.
Jo Ann/Giovanna
Merci Susan pour ce recit encore une fois complet ,tu detailles tellement bien les choses et on en apprend toujours un peu plus sur nos gars C’est normal pour arriver a cette perfection pendant 2h 30 environ il y en a des répétitions et des répétitions surtout les connaissant ils ne laissent rien passer ! Malheureusement pour nous le concert du 17 Juin a Paris a été annulé peut etre trop tôt pour venir ! Merci encore !
Those three wonderful men are closer than some brothers. You can see the love and support they have for each other. Really beautiful!
Such a wonderful article, thank you Susan. I thought that this concert was their best yet I got to watch it live on. IlVolo tv and have watched it 3 times since The music and the arrangements were awesome These guys are so talented and I am in complete agreement about your thoughts on them hosting Eurovision I would just like to thank them for all their hard work and long hours to give us one of the Best Concerts Ever
If I’m not dead and buried, I plan to go wherever they are in the United States…I want, need, to see them again to take the memories and run thru my brain over and over and never forget their expressions when singing. These guys rock my ship long and hard, I will carry them with me into heaven. They deserve every hand clap, every accolade, and every standing ovation. “My guys” have my heart and my love for them. Charming and carrying my IL Volo guys are. Love to you wherever your staying. Big hugs!
Sassy Lady
Now, Sassylady1937, I’m five years older than you and I plan on seeing them again, too! Maybe we could meet at the concert in New York, or, if they make it to Toronto, we could meet there. Just a couple of elderly ladies who appreciate the best music on this planet!! Your Canadian compatriot, Dolores.
Hi Deebee and Sassy, I sm in your age group 1939 and I am just east of Cleveland Ohio. I would love to meet you both (God willing) next year in NY or Toronto when the boys come back. I’ve been going through IlVolo withdrawal since covid hit us. Toronto and NY are only 1 hour flights for me.
Rose Marie–As I said above, I am in Toronto. (1944)
I sure hope the boys come here, to a great venue like the last time. If they are starting off in New York, I wonder what their path will be. Usually they start off in Toronto/and or Buffalo and then go to Montreal and from there go to NY. I hope this doesn’t mean they are eliminating Toronto & Montreal from the tour.
Penina, all I have heard about is NY Radio City Music Hall. I’m waiting for the official schedule. Wherever they will be, I will go😊. I have tickets for Taormina for both nights whenever that will happen since it’s been postponed 2X now. Hope to meet my Canadian IL VOLO sisters soon.
I’m in Toronto too! And also an elderly lady!
What a fantastic article Susan .. to have this explained in detail has helped me no end in understanding more fully (I’m afraid I can only grasp a few odd words in Italian) but now I can really appreciate everything !! I can’t find enough words to say how the concert has affected me – I have even more love and respect for our guys than before (if that’s even possible lol). I’ve seen it about four times now, as well as watching the individual YouTube videos that are downloaded, so I go to bed with them and their songs in my head and wake up to them too. Life is good !! I say to my husband (who likes them too of course) that no matter how bad things might get, if I have Il Volo in my life then I feel I can get through anything!! Probably sounds crazy, but that’s how I feel !! Thanks again for your hard work 💗
U out did yourself with this one 👏👏👏👏👏
Susan, you gave an in-depth look at the concert. At times
it seemed that only another musician could separate the
process and roles of composer, arranger, conductor and
musician. Kudos to you in conveying the hard work
involved, Il Volo gave the world a gift. YOU painted a
picture of this gift for US.
I was really interested in your info about how our boys worked on the arrangements of the songs they chose.
When I listened to them sing in the past I have often thought about the arrangers and how I never hear them mentioned. Now Ignazio and Gianluca and Piero are knowledgeable enough to do it for themselves.
They were taught how to separate the music when they first started. Umberto Gatica (and another person that I have momentarily forgotten),taught them this method. He and Tony Renis mentioned it in a documentary that was on my CD, Il Volo, We Are Love. I have also seen it mentioned in another documentary. They were about 16 at the time. The CD, Il Volo Takes Flight, also comes with a documentary about their beginnings
So many groups have broken up over artistic differences. I thought that they had been able to stay together partly because they were not the ones that had to make those decisions. If they have been doing their own arranging this proves that they are exceptional in yet another way. We are so lucky for that chance encounter on a talent show that Tony Renis happened to see.
Hello Susan … Thank you very much for explaining the before, during and after the staging of this wonderful show by our IL VOLO boys …. This preparation has taken months and I am very happy that the boys themselves have chosen the songs; each of them were angelic melodies in incredible voices …. In this return to live concerts we were able to observe our most mature ragazzi, not only physically, but in their voices and their professionalism …. A show for too many wonderful, where I think everyone was satisfied.
Of Ignazio, needless to say, talented wherever we see them, and I am sure that, quite apart from IL VOLO (which I hope he will never leave) he can and should carry out more personal projects, because he has the ability to achieve it (he is very disciplined with that) … And, well, like everyone else, the most emotional part was the dedication to Don Vito, and as they continue to show us the great brotherhood and camaraderie that exists between the three (we can also include Michele and Barbara, who they are like their loving parents) …
Thanks again Susan, and like you, we hope that in Eurovision 2022 our boys will be the ones who lead the program (they have already shown how good they are).
Kisses and hugs to you, Daniela and the whole team …. Blessings
Rossana, this concert was so well put together by our boys I wouldn’t be surprised if Ignazio decided to produce shows for other artists. He always seems to be stretching himself.
Great report! Makes me hunger for more!. Could three be anychance it could be released to North American audiences?
PBS did not show the concert, maybe in the future, but fortunately YouTube has complete concert on as it was broadcasted on Rai1. With my airplay, I watched this concert on big TV screen already twice, can not get enough of it, boys relaxed, better than ever, staging and lights effects out of this world, just spectacular! Wonderful, wonderful, but unfortunately I have few objections…..
Those athletes/acrobats looks so misplaced, almost disturbed elements in this type of concerts. Who’s idea was it to used them, sure not our boys’. So please do not take them with you on your World tours, especially to US. Also too much talk, I do not mean our boys, them I can listen all the time even without understanding one word, but in this concert there were so many people just talking, talking to the point I almost scream, please let the boys sing !!
Now we just have to be patient waiting for their world tour next year. So see you boys in RCMH in 2022. Great concert!
Irene,
About not understanding one word: stay tuned. In one of Flight Crew’s next postings, we will provide you everything the boys said on stage at Verona (and a little of the other guests, too). Giovanna/Jo Ann
I could not agree with you more regarding too much talking. I was ready to scream with the people talking on and on, when what I what to hear are the boys singing.
This is to Sassylady1937, Rose Marie Pallobeis and Penina: There is the “Red Hat” society for ladies of a like mind, maybe we could start an “Il Volo Elderly Ladies Club”???? Anyone want to join?
Thank you Susan for a look behind the scenes of getting ready for new music and a new concert. It does seem like a lot of work and a labor of love. It was a wonderful concert and hope they bring this music to the US next year.
Dear Il Volo friends,
First, thank you so much for the translations…I, too, only understand bits and pieces of Italian (with speed of speech leaving me clueless). I would love knowing what is being said between the guys. Their music is its own language.
Secondly, the concert was exquisite. The guys exceeded their own excellence! However, I, too, was puzzled by the acrobats, dancers, and speakers. I assumed it was either, a very Italian bit of theater or an opportunity for other artists to have work. Most artists did not have the deep pockets the guys did during the pandemic.
Lastly, an Il Volovers ladies hat club would be fun. The hats could be turquoise (to mimic the Mediterranean). Just think how quickly we could find one another at a concert. Or more importantly, the guys could find us in the crowd! Many of us (like me) have silver or gray hair…good color for us! Our own bit of theater, for certain.
To all…keep safe.
We could call it IL Volo Blue. Not too big though.
That has too sad of a connotation. We aren’t “blue”–we are happy to be fans of the most wonderful guys ever!
I propose the name “Il Volo Happy Grandmothers”. That covers how we feel and also our age, and the fact we would love to be their grandmothers!! Although I don’t look good in a hat, Sandi’s idea of a turquoise hat sounds great! I’d be willing to wear one. Now, where do you find a hat nowadays? No millinery stores any more!
You are in Ottawa? My niece lives in Ottawa and has stunning hats. I can ask her where she gets them. As far as i know The Bay still has some hats. But I am sure hers come from somewhere else!
Penina, I live just outside Ottawa at White Lake (near Arnprior). Have been here 23 years now and so enjoy sitting on my closed-in porch, reading my book and looking out at the water, listening to the loons (that is the avian type, not the fellow cottagers!!!) Haven’t been in to Ottawa in many years, but could probably buy a hat on the internet with The Bay. Thanks for the tip!
I am not familiar with Ottawa at all–having only come to visit my niece. But I can certainly ask her where to get hats–nowadays practically all the stores have some sort of online shopping.I’ll email her now and we’ll see what she says.
Divino concierto, mejores y mas talentosos que nunca. Gracias por compartir. Un abrazo con amor desde México