Yes, they are not children anymore, and now all of them will have passed the quarter century mark! They’ve done more in their short lifetime, than most can imagine doing in their entire careers!
Sorry, a little late this year, time is flying so quickly! But most should know the drill by now! 🙂
Time to choose a song to go with the lovely video created by Kelly! 🙂
Here are some guidelines:
It is recommended you choose a song NOT sung by Il Volo or Gian….
I know many cannot make up their minds, there are so many songs, but please keep your choices to the TOP THREE! (that is per person, not per email…)
You may start sending in your wishes as well
to make it easier on me, please send your wishes and birthday song in SEPARATE emails and indicate song or wish in the subject, as to make sure I don’t miss anyone, I delete them, after I add them to my file. Sorry, it’s the way I do it….
Please send all wishes and birthday song choices to: ilvoloflightcrew@gmail.com
PLEASE DO NOT POST ANYTHING ON FACEBOOK, I DO NOT GO ON THERE…
Ok, deadline for song choices are a little quick this time, but please send NO LATER THAN Wed, Jan 25, 2023.
Please send wishes NO LATER THAN Tue, Feb 7, 2023.
These dates with give both Kelly and I time to get everything together. It takes both of us HOURS to put this together! 😉 And we both have full time jobs.
And here we are at the second review, this concerns the concert in Rome on December 23rd, the last Italian concert, and it was written by my friend Kirsten Langer whom I had the pleasure of meeting this year at the Verona concert.
“Kirsten, I’m so glad you and your husband were able to come to Rome for this concert, thank you for writing us this lovely review and it was a pleasure to help you in this adventure. 😘”
Enjoy reading!! Daniela
______________________________________________
MY VERY BEST X-MAS GIFT:
– A CONCERT AND MEETING WITH IL VOLO, 12/23/22 –
And yet it wasn’t at all an X-mas present as the concert was scheduled for October but postponed to December due to Corona. But a gift it was indeed!
A fantastic concert – they have never been singing any better and all three guys were on top of their game and high spirited.
Unique individual voices – out of this world when in harmony! Add charm, energy, jokes, big smiles, a great and varied repertoire, beautiful music from the orchestra and warmth and love that reached way out beyond the edge off the stage and right into the hearts of the audience who loved them from the very first strophe and gave them standing ovations over and over.
They are world class! I’ll be back, definitely!
Where to start…
Let me introduce myself. I am Kirsten and live in Copenhagen, Denmark, and I have been a dedicated IL VOLO fan for a couple of years and experienced my very first live concert this summer in Arena di Verona, Italy, a beautiful event – and, by the way, where I did likewise met up with our great and sweet Daniela ☺.
Already by then I had also purchased tickets for their autumn concert in Rome, to which my hubby and I had planned yet a small holiday but, alas, then the concert was moved to December and on none the less than the 23rd – the day before Christmas – which in my country is celebrated in the evening on the 24th. Only one airline offered flights back in due time – did we dare take the risk? What should we do? I was about to give up but couldn’t get it over my heart to cancel the tickets, which had been so difficult to obtain, so I just left the issue unsolved for a long time. However, when our son offered to host and prepare everything for X-mas Eve, we decided to go through with the project and made arrangements for 48 hrs. fling to Rome 22-24 December.
I was all excited once again ☺.
In Rome, we found splendid weather, two days of warm sun, accompanied us.
Fan club arrangement with flaws … and you need a lot of patience!
Things got even better when firstly the guys announced a book signing event in Rome on the 22nd – jihaa, we could just make it – and then even better the Fanclub offered a Soundcheck arrangement on the 23rd followed by a personal meeting with the guys during which they would answer questions about their new book and greet the members.
WOW, now it got truly exciting! Almost too exciting… and the mood did drop a couple of degrees when the venue for the Rome book signing was advised. A huge Shopping Mall way outside the city centre to which local transportation would be more than 1 hr. each way – or some EUR 100 roundtrip for a private taxi. I was prepared to do the latter, but Daniela kindly suggested we skip it due to the bad location, the limited time and not the least, that we were to meet up with the guys the next afternoon and hence no doubt could get the book signed there. Reasonably enough, so we dropped the idea and Daniela found us a bookstore close to our accommodation by the Piazza Navona, where we could purchase the book easily while still enjoying the beautiful sights of historic Roma. (Thank you ☺).
(My dear husband in front of the obelisk at Piazza Navona. The sky is blue ☺)
Next hurdle appeared – we had no idea as to the time for the Soundcheck and were told that the same would not be available until very shortly before… – but we had to pre-order a private taxi to take us to the venue, Palazzo dello Sport, which appeared to be located yet a long way from downtown Rome some 30-45 min. drive, so how to coordinate?
Once again Daniela was of great assistance to us kindly checking up with the Fanclub postings on our behalf and keeping us updated. (Thank you again). The time was announced 2½ hrs. before meeting time! Well, we had guessed the time pretty much correctly and made the transfer in fine time, but still…. Not to miss out of anything we were at the assembly point around 17:00 hrs. – 20 minutes before time. We did soon find a little group of people with admission tickets in hand as well.
A young lady appeared (apparently from the Fanclub) and showed us to the gate in question and then nothing more happened. We waited… and waited… and waited.
(In the photo my husband is waiting in line.)
No action at all. Around 18:00 hrs. The young lady did finally come around again, starting to tick us off manually and hand us a bracelet. So far so good, but then – again waiting and more waiting. Finally around 18:15-18:20-18:30 we were let into the concert hall only to find the Soundcheck already in full swing… We rushed towards the front seats passing Michele Torpedine who nodded and smiled kindly to us 🙂.
Gianluca was rehearsing one of his solo while the two other guys were hanging around the stage. In a corner of the stage Gianluca’s girlfriend was seated on a chair and apparently he is still very fond of her as he went forth and back to cuddle and kiss her constantly.
Then they rehearsed a couple of songs and that was it! 10- 15 min. at a maximum. They gave the Fanclub group (I think we were about 50-70) a quick hello and smile from the stage and off they were… That is, Ignazio went to chat and fool around with their guitar player for a bit, but soon he was away too. We could hear Gianluca sing a bit of a bossanova song in the distance but not visible. Piero is long gone.
We were then awaiting the guys to re-appear for the book chat, but instead a lady came firmly asking us to move to our official seats.
Eh??? This could not be true? But no signs of the guys or anyone from the Fanclub to give instructions, so we rose. I hate to think that the guys would skip this scheduled meeting on purpose… or they should have forgotten? It seems so far from their general attitude towards their fans. There got to be some communication error down the line or some other good explanation. I hope so. Yet they ought to have figured out that in similarity with Turin and Milan would likewise have a meeting scheduled for their Rome fans… Needless to say, I was disappointed.
Well, sometimes one can be a bit lucky too, as suddenly we spied Gianluca behind the barrier with a little group of fans in the one corner. Signing autographs and taking selfies. We rushed over and he did most kindly😘 likewise sign my book and offered to take a selfie with me. ❤
Kudos to Gianluca for appearing albeit not in the way that was scheduled. Few seconds later he was, however, all gone again. We hung around the spot for a bit, and then suddenly we caught sight of Ignazio passing by in the distance. At this time my good old teenage rock-attitude took over and I called him over trying to explain that I came all the way from Denmark. He stopped, gazed for a split second and then came to the barrier and quickly grabbed my book and pen and signed as well as let a few other fans have selfies.
Then he rushed off again as swiftly as he had arrived. Piero was never in sight. But 2 out of 3 are, of course, better than nothing – but somewhat let down I cannot avoid feeling.
I shall not bother you with yet another hurdle story when it appeared that the seat-figuration of the hall apparently had been changed over the years and, therefore, the seats I had selected no longer were placed in the first section but now rather far back on the floor in a not too good place… Well, to make a long story short we ended up being offered new seats that luckily appeared to be even better than the original ones, namely now on the 6th row next to the middle aisle with a very good view of the entire stage.
And it must be said that the young ushers were very kind and helpful to us but likewise apparently had experienced this situation before. After all, some of the tickets were already sold back in 2019/2020!
A long wait was now ahead of us as you are not let out once in… and the concert was not to start till 21:00 hrs. “Palazzo dello Sport” is absolutely an ugly and dull venue – all concrete with plastic chairs and no décor and with no cozy bars or eateries available. It’s a sports center able to hold a lot of people, and that’s it. So a plastic glass of lukewarm cheap red wine and a bag of potato chips made it out for dinner.
At this stage we were beginning to wonder if the trip was worth the while – but then the concert started!.
And what a concert!!!
At 21:10 hrs. It all began and the three guys entered the stage to the fanfare-like “Ecstasy of Gold” by Ennio Morricone – the famous Italian film music-writer to whom they dedicated their latest album.
And in a split second all our troubles were forgotten and we were fully encapsulated in the wonderful music.
They were wearing their nice new velvet tuxedos looking their best, they were very elegant indeed. 😘😘😘
They seemed in great spirits and full of energy. Lots of smiling and joking around. No one in particular in charge – all of them bidding in with presentations, stories and jokes. The latter was apparently rather humoristic at times as people around us were giggling and laughing – but not speaking a word of Italian we did, of course, not catch that part of the experience.
The repertoire was to a certain extent the same as in Verona, yet with the omission of some of the classics such as some of the Italian Bel Canto songs and i.e. Delilah. But we were lucky to enjoy two of the most beautiful Morricone songs, namely “Se” and “Your Love”.
As usual they did each sing two solos –and Ignazio’s “All by Myself” was once again incredibly well performed and had the audience giving him a standing ovation.
Standing ovations were likewise in abundance to Piero for his two opera pieces incl. “No Puede Ser”.
He seems to get better and better each time I hear him. What volume and control of his voice. And his following huge smiles verified that he indeed himself likewise enjoyed being on stage presenting them.
Gianluca did a very beautiful and emotional version of Elton John’s “Your Song” that was very well received with standing ovations by the audience as well, while – personally – I think it is time for him to let go of his Elvis favorite “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. He does it extremely well, but he can do better and needs some new challenges.
Standing ovations were indeed also much in place for the two duos – respectively “La donna è mobile” by Ignazio and Piero and “Hallelujah” by Gianluca and Ignazio.
The latter was extremely emotional and when everyone in the audience was waving their lit cellphones the atmosphere was breathtakingly beautiful…
Apparently there were interesting people in the audience and Gianluca introduced and pointed out to us his grandpa Ernesto, of whom he is very fond and dedicated a song to him. Actually, he was seated just a few seats further down our row without us having noticed. After the show Gianluca’s father came to fetch him and must have been seated elsewhere. Gianluca had, however, yet a great introduction to do – namely the Oscar-winning famous Italian cinematographer Vittorio Storaro (and Eleonora’s grandpa). He and some family/friends were seated just across from us, and when Gianluca a bit later came down into the audience while singing: “Here’s to You”, he went straight to their row to greet and hug them personally. A beautiful moment to encounter.
Ignazio had one of his great moments too, when he sat down on the top of the grand piano and sang one of his well-known ballads profoundly and heartfelt. Saying Ignazio you never know what to expect. Always in a good mood with a sneaky smile in his eye he never let us down.
This evening he seemed in an even greater mood than before and he gave us his now famous “disco-ball-show” happily dancing forth and back the stage in a for-the-moment improvised choreography sporting his new silver-shimmering tuxedo jacket bringing the big smiles about. Who doesn’t love him?
As to tuxedos the guys seemed to have a bad clothing-day, each changing into a rather different and colorful jacket for the second half not matching each other in any way what-so-ever. Taste cannot be discussed… so I shall refrain from commenting on this new idea – only that Gianluca’s orange/red tiger print jacket is absolutely awful especially dressed with a red shirt; Piero’s black bling-spotted suit would be nicer with a pair of plain black trousers –and Ignazio’s “disco-jacket” is just too much and needs a thorough fit. He he he. But yet again, they can wear a brown potato-bag and we will love them .😁😁😁
Being Christmas time they concluded with three season songs, namely their little jolly “Christmas Medley”, the pompous “Adeste Fideles”.
and finally, of course, their new “Happy X-mas (War is Over)”.
During the latter everyone in the hall was once again waving their lit cell-phones creating a warm, intimate and lovely atmosphere. As an “extra” number they closed off as usual with “Grande Amore” and suddenly two hours had disappeared in no time.
But if the show was over for us – the party seemed to start for the guys – as instead of leaving the stage they did suddenly go “all bananas” with Ignazio climbing the grand piano and high standing calling manager Michel Torpedine, travel manager Barbara Vitale and some further staff to the stage and a huge hugging and kissing ceremony followed with the guys running across the stage from side to side with the arms high in the air, finger kissing the audience and hugging each other as had they just won the World Championship in football! They seemed almost in ecstasy and it was truly fun to watch how happy they were as if they had not expected to do so well themselves…
They were SO happy and sweet. ❤
(In this photo: Ignazio gets on the grand piano and the manager Michele Torpedine, the tour manager Barbara Vitali and the other members of the Il Volo staff are called on stage to embrace and kiss.)
At the end of the concert a lot of fans rushed towards the stage to get better photos of the guys or hand them X-mas gifts and shake hands. The teenager grows in me again, and I follow along . Only to find Gianluca kneeling down right before me and the group of people I stand next to, so I get a close-up photo as well . ❤
What a beautiful concert – what a fantastic show.
Compared to the concert in Verona they seemed a lot more lively, talkative and all over the stage. I/we loved each single minute of it and yes, it was indeed worth all the worries and flaws!
Cannot wait for their next concert. I/we will be back – most definitely. ❤❤❤
Warmest wishes for a Happy New Year to all members of The Flight Crew and love from Denmark:
Kirsten.
Here are some of my short videos and photos, I hope you like them!!
Back in 2021 we were all in our homes and hoping that soon we would get back to normal. It took a log time coming but it finally did happen.
Of course, as in everything the guys took the lead. When they left their houses, they restarted their magic and created Magical Moments for us!. They told us they had many surprises for us and right out of the box, they kept their promise.
In September 2021, the guys gave us a week of magical moments. I talked about them in one of my stories. Sometimes a story just hits you in an amazing way. I know I wrote this story, but the guys lived it and that is what made it so amazing, so magical!
So, let me go back to one of my favorite stories. Even writers have favorite stories! In this story we follow the guys from Melpignano to Verona and beyond! Be ready to be amazed all over again!
It is September 15th, 2021, and the guys have just finished one of the most amazing weeks of their lives. I asked the question, “How often over the last year have we said we missed the guys?” Well, this week made up for all of 2020 and 2021 and sealed their future. In 2020 they went home and closed their doors and came back out a whole new Il Volo. One spectacular event after another.
So, let’s start in the beautiful region of Apulia, Italy.
“La Notte della Taranta”, is one of the largest Festivals in Italy and one of the most significant manifestations of popular culture in Europe. The final concert of La Notte della Taranta, has had as many as one hundred and fifty thousand spectators in the past. It takes place in Salento, in the municipality of Melpignano, at the esplanade of the former Augustinian Convent specifically for the rediscovery and the enhancement of traditional Salento music. It is not limited to traditional music. It also allows for rock, jazz and symphonic music. This year’s host was Albano.
Listen to the voices of our guys coming alive backstage! It’s a calling! “Who sells olives.”
Meanwhile Albano awaits their arrival on stage. He tells us about the song. It is from the region of Apulia, the region where he was born. He says, “It reminds me of the autumn song. It is the November song.”
November is the time of the olive harvest, and a man would always pass with a cart of olives to sell to the people. Albano and Ignazio sing a phrase in the Apulian dialect (“Who has olives, I have to buy them.”) Albano said when Modugno sang in the Apulian dialect he was very proud of him. Ignazio said, “So let’s hope, with this next song we will sing, to make you even more proud of your land.”
Albano (tells the guys): You know that I am proud to have you here beside me.
Gianluca: And we are happy.
Albano (continues) …Simply because I baptized these two.
Albano is referring to Ignazio and Piero who he performed with on Ti Lascio Una Canzone. I remember those performances and that Albano was in awe of both of them. Then Albano continues about Gianluca who he didn’t perform with at Ti Lascio una Canzone.
Albano: And to you, (Gianluca) you I baptize this evening.
Gianluca: One day, sooner or later, we will sing together. But it is nice, I can say, that these events make it possible to spread a musical culture like this of the Taranta, and it is right that young people are attached to the roots of these great events. We must not lose this desire to carry on traditions, we too, as young people, are proud to be here tonight.
When the music begins our guys sing the National Anthem of the region in Griko which is a mixture of Italian and Greek. Another language to add to their list!
Griko is unique to this region but there are other regions, in Italy, that speak languages other than Italian. In many Arberesh villages where the people are Italian, Albanian and Greek they have their own languages. My grandfathers’ town Vaccarizzo Albanese (Calabria) is an Aberesh town, and they have retained the archaic features of both Gheg and Tosk dialects. Many of the words they spoke at the festival, I understood. It was a beautiful experience for me.
The guy’s performance was magnificent. From the first larilò larilò lallero to the last, the whole stage was alive with their voices and a rhythm and beat that I can’t get out of mind! You could see how much the guys were enjoying it. Their interpretation of this beautiful song was awesome! Festivals are at the heart of the Italian people. They love them! This song is so full of joy and happiness.
The dancers were wonderful! Through the dance, they told the story of the people, of their labors and, their joys. The hardship of life and the happiness of home and family! Their singing and the dancing were very uplifting. And the guys’ interaction with the dancers and musicians on stage brought the whole story together. They brought the audience into the song and together they presented the history and culture of the people. This was very unique, and the guys helped us to see another culture within their Italian culture. A magnificent delivery of the beautiful Anthem of the Griko people! Truly an amazing event!
Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero were interviewed by the official page of La Notte della Taranta.
Woman: Let’s start from the basics, how do you say goodnight in Greek?
Piero: Calinitta
Gianluca: Calinitta.
Woman: And then, how does this song go on? (Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero sing a verse from the song)
Gianluca: Right?
Woman: Quite right!
Gianluca: So, you (inhabitants of Puglia) all speak Grico?
Woman: In Greece-Salento yes!
Ignazio (explains to Piero): When the Greeks come here on vacation, the local elders understand them, because the older ones still speak the Grico dialect.
Piero: Great.
Woman: What do you think of La Notte della Taranta?
Ignazio: It is certainly one of the most important cultural events in Italy, and most welcome, because I always say that Italy is a nation full of different cultures and traditions and certainly these events give space to make known their own traditions and culture, and therefore we are honored to be part of it, alongside Albano, an Apulian DOC, which has never forgotten its origins and there is also Madame (young singer) who is a young woman, like us. Hence the importance of carrying the roots, ALWAYS, in any situation, in any place.
Woman: It will be a rock Calinitta, according to Melozzi (the orchestra master)
Gianluca: It is a symphonic rock, which is also the secret of Queen (rock group), if we want to talk also musically about the history of the great artists who have always brought symphonic rock all over the world.
Ignazio: Calinitta Queeniana.
Gianluca: Melozzi is a great musician, moreover from Abruzzo, I am also from Abruzzo, I always speak of my land, sorry, and therefore it is nice that there is also a little of Abruzzo in this Taranta and I am proud of it.
Woman: Calinitta!
Piero: Ah, Calinitta ciao everyone!
Gianluca: Calinitta.
Next stop Venezia! Talk about an exciting event!
Where do I begin…
In the afternoon the guys attended the award presentations where they were presented as winners of the 78th Film Italy Movie Awards. Upon exiting the building, they were interviewed by an unknown man…
Man: This is not Sanremo, this is the cinema exhibition!
Piero: But it seems a little like Sanremo, we meet, all familiar faces.
Gianluca: We are preparing a very ambitious recording project which is a tribute to maestro Ennio Morricone. We had the opportunity to collaborate with Vittorio Storaro in a music video, so we are here in the company of a great master of cinema, Vittorio Storaro.
Ignazio: He chose our voices for a tribute of the video of “Your Love,” which is shot in the Frasassi Caves, and therefore it is beautiful, this is not the first time we come here. It is always a beautiful atmosphere. Venice is a place that is stupendous.
Later in the day, the guys appeared in their transport to Lido. What do we see here? We see three elegant young men who are on the brink of a new direction in their lives. Not leaving all that they are and all they always will be, we know they will never leave the concert stage, but taking the next step on their road to greatness!
What we’ve been watching these last few months, every time we see the video of the Frasassi Caves, is the guy’s embarkation on a new and wonderful experience in their lives. They are the stars of this Short Film. They are what makes this film possible. Vittorio Storaro’s genius and the presence and voice of Il Volo have made this movie an award-winning production.
To help you understand this better let me tell you what Storaro had to say about this…
The idea actually comes from what we have been through all this last year, the disgrace that has happened to us from the pandemic, which has closed all the arts a little.But then there was an idea which came from Pirandello, who said: One, Nobody, One Hundred Thousand (the title of a Pirandello novel), and in this case becomes a Once Upon a Time, as the project of Il Volo and the music of Ennio Morricone, start from Once Upon a Time in the West, directed by a great director, Sergio Leone, with the music of Morricone, the subject of Bernardo Bertolucci and Dario Argento, so there is a whole series of characters that carry some new message.
A message that also becomes a hope, not only in the present, but also in the future, because if before, once upon a time there was Nobody, where art enters, in this case Music and Singing, which is represented by Il Volo, the song with the music of Ennio Morricone “Your Love,” brings a new energy, energy that practically becomes: Once upon a time there was no one, and now Il Volo ~ over and over!
So, we will see that Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio multiply.
When they descend from that blessed rope where the first boys went down here in the caves many years ago (50 years ago), it is a little like entering a seed into mother earth and thus forming a new generation, which is the generation of the future.
Il Volo, in this case becomes a symbol, as, not only does it enter the womb of the earth, it first regenerates the energy of life, but it can do it in all the squares, in all the theaters, in all the places of the world, and that, certainly is what music is, nevertheless it carries a great message of love.
Storaro was so right that carrying their music around the world will revive the music industry through this project. Through it the music will be alive again.
So that also sums up where our guys are headed! A part of their new direction. Presenting this movie throughout the world. It is our guys bringing a message to the world. A message of hope and love for all people and all nations!
So, let’s rejoin the guys on the red carpet.
Along with the Storaro family we find Storaro’s newly adopted family Il Volo.
These guys certainly lit up the red carpet. Elegant in their Dolce & Gabbana tuxedos there was no lack of interest in their presence.
How did the guys feel in this moment? Perhaps the words of Ignazio in a Rappler interview sums it up. “It was amazing working with Maestro Vittorio Storaro, remembering all the most beautiful moments that he spent with the Maestro Morricone… It is our dream. The three of us will be on the red carpet with Vittorio Storaro.”
Of course, Ignazio was referring to, Vittorio Storaro, their director, the veteran director who won three Oscars, including one for Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece, Apocalypse Now, which he and the director shot in the Philippines.
The new short, dedicated by Storaro to the master composer, Morricone, who passed away in 2020. A clip of the movie was premiered at the fourth edition of Filming Italy Best Movie Award on the occasion of the 78th Venice Film Festival. And as you know Storaro won a Best Italian Film award and so did our guys for their starring role and their song “Your Love.”
Next the cocktail party…
Did you notice where all the women flocked to? Our guys! Who could resist these gorgeous guys. They grace the room with their presence. When they enter a room it lights up.
Italy what have you to say about your guys now. You have got to be so proud of them. Look at how they shine in the world! But there was never a problem in recognition. We in America have always been proud of them and called them our own. I hope this project will allow them to spend more time in the US! Maybe at the Academy Awards. Although we will only see the film for the first time on September 25th at the premier at the Frasassi Caves we already know how important this project is and how beautiful this film is.
Let them loose on the red carpet again! Our red carpet in America!!!
From this project we can see so many more projects like this on the horizon.
We are so proud of the award they won at the 78th Venice Film Festival, but that was only the beginning!
Next stop Verona…
Do you ever feel when they’re in Verona, they are home? I certainly do. To me they own the Verona Arena. Every performance there is phenomenal!
They returned to the Seat Music Awards to sing their beautiful song, “Your Love” and to pick up their second award for the week!
While writing this I remembered a year ago when they were at the SMA. It was to restart the music industry.
I’m going to go back to the story I wrote about the event last year. “Turn on the Lights”
I know we will never forget the night before the performance when the guys went to the Arena to check out the lights. It was beautiful and funny at the same time. Let’s pop in to listen to the guy’s conversation:
Ignazio to Piero: What are you doing?
Piero: What are you looking at?
Ignazio: The light that is there.
Gianluca: It’s Beautiful.
Ignazio: The gorgeous light. Gorgeous! Gorgeous!
Of course, Piero pulled out his phone and started to video.
But what was it about the lights that got Ignazio’s attention? Well, they were as Ignazio said, “La Luce Stupenda!” (The lights were gorgeous), but I think he was thinking about the last lights that he saw on stage. When they turned off the lights at their last performance in the US and went home to a country in pain from a pandemic!
When the guys arrived on stage, they had a message for the world and all people in the industry:
Ignazio: 2020 will be remembered as the year where the world would be constrained to be turned off.
Gianluca: For the music employees the verb “turn off’ means the end of the show, when the curtains close and it is the waiting moment for the next show, but this time the waiting lasted more than expected, the silence was unavoidable.
Piero: Now, the world is getting ready to start again! Now the moment has arrived to raise the curtain! Now, we will turn on the music!”
This beautiful statement was followed by the performance of the evening. Their choice of “Nessun Dorma” sent an even stronger message. It’s says we may have to perform under these new world conditions, but we don’t have to change who we are or why we’re here. In this ancient Arena we look to the past while following the path to the future.
From their first note the whole arena lit up. Their voices were clean and crisp. Their presence was illuminating. Their notes rose above the Arena into the night sky to let the world know music is back! The final note of their song sent the final statement. All three voices rose in unison and their voices sent forth a note that took our breaths away! It said We Have Returned! Turn on the Lights.
Isn’t it ironic that one year later they win an award for the short film Frasassi Caves for which they are represented as regenerating the energy of life? Music is their energy!
They so deserve this award.
So let’s get back to this week’s performance at the Arena.
Prior to the guy’s performance, the stage was set up with multi color lights but when the guys arrived on stage, I think they were even surprised. The stage was lit as it was for last year’s performance. Very simple, very plain but what was going on in the audience was a totally different story. All phones were lit up. It was magic.
They stepped on stage in their beautiful but informal all black attire. Elegant in its simplicity!
As they come face to face with the audience, I could see the emotion in their faces.
Look at how these people love them and how they love their fans!
And then it begins. …
This song is slowly becoming a signature song! A song that reminds us of sadness but brings us to a new and exciting time in the lives of our guys! It’s as if Vito left them a final gift, a new and exciting adventure in their lives. It is the song that will lead the way in their new tour around the world. Always before them will be this song and the movie which has already and continues to make its mark in history!
At the end of the song, Vanessa Incontrada and Carlo Conti spoke with the guys about the Tribute to Ennio Morricone at the Verona Arena.
Gianluca greets everyone: “Good evening!”
Carlo: “Il Volo, to start these SEAT Music Awards in the best way.”
Vanessa: “And what an atmosphere theycreated for you (the audience), with all the mobile phones on, great emotion I saw in your faces.”
Gianluca: “We are happy to see you again.”
Vanessa: “Us too.”
Carlo: Us too, us too.
Gianluca: Finally in the Arena.
Vanessa: Finally, but it has now become your home.
Carlo: In short, I mean, you did an extraordinary event on RAI1 just dedicated as a tribute to Maestro Morricone.
Piero: We had the honor of paying homage to Maestro Morricone here at the Arena of Verona, for us, the audience, for an artist, for a singer, it is oxygen. It was an evening full of guests, but for us, the biggest guest was the audience. After a year and a half, to see them again, sing for them!
Vanessa: We understand these words well, but will you take this event to the world? I guess so.
Ignazio: Yes, we start in March 2022, we finally start with the world tour and we finish in September – October, from America, we end up in Japan and then New Zealand, so beautiful.
Vanessa: You have many things to do, let’s say.
Ignazio: Yes, but it is wonderful, after almost two years, to start singing again. I remember that a year ago, in this same program, we said …. let’s hope it starts again, the music can’t stop and meet again after a year and see that the music has never stopped, it’s beautiful!
Vanessa: Seeing them (the audience), as you said, involved with you, is nice.
Carlo: A beautiful concert, a beautiful television event, but there is a tribute album to Ennio Morricone, when will this album be released?
Gianluca: Let’s say that it is a very ambitious project, that with great responsibility, right on tiptoe and a lot of humility, we decided to undertake this path which is a musical project that is a tribute to all the most beautiful soundtracks of the maestro Morricone.
Piero:And tonight we announce the date.
Gianluca: Yes, because this record will be released on November 5th, from Cinema Paradiso, to Once Upon a Time in the West, to the Good, the Ugly, the Bad.
Vanessa:His greatest songs, let’s say.
Gianluca: And we can’t wait to start the tour.
Carlo: Well a great album and therefore it will be released on November 5th.
Then Carlo presented the guys with their DIVA award…
Carlo: I seriously read the inscription: Arena di Verona Award for Il Volo, for the tribute project to Ennio Morricone, represented with great success right here at the Verona Arena, live on RAI1, and for the over 10 years of career, which led them to be known and appreciated representatives of Italian music in the world.
And so we come to the end of the events of the last week. But….
We’ve gone from Melpignano to Verona. So, this is the end of the events but not the end of the story. We continue to follow the guys and watch as they make Magical Moments every time they step on the stage.
At the time of these events, this is what Gianluca had to say about their future….
“Our dream is to see The Ecstasy of Gold performed at the Academy Awards.”
That works for me! Onward to the Academy Awards! Hope to see you there!
What I truly love about this story is for all the years they were ignored by Italy, suddenly they couldn’t get enough of them. They were everywhere! And I know this is exactly what the Italian people want!
Before I close I would like to give you an update on Ignazio’s Twitch and Bosky TV. I noticed many of you were on Twitch. I hope you enjoyed following.
Bosky TV
On Sunday Ignazio premiered Bosky TV on YouTube. You can follow on YouTube by going to YouTube and enter Bosky TV. Then you need to Subscribe to YouTube. This is free. Enter your name, Email etc. Then every time Ignazio posts a video you will be able to see it.
The first video was “VOLEVATE UNA PRESENTAZIONE.” Enter the title into YouTube. When the video comes up, go to SETTINGS and select subtitles. It should show your language. This will give you the translation as you watch. This will explain how you follow.
Below are all the ways you can follow Ignazio’s CHATS. Of course, TWITCH is where most of the videos will originate.
As promised, here is the first of two reviews sent to me.
This is written by Alessandra Composto, and concerns the concert in Milan on December 17th.
Alessandra, who lives in France, had warned me, via Flight Crew, that she would be coming to Milan and we were able to exchange a few words at the signing of the book, we hope to meet more calmly next time, it’s so nice to meet Il Volo-friends!!
Enjoy this review of the first concert seen by Alessandra.
Good viewing: Daniela.🤗
__________________________________________
Hello Daniela and all IL Volo Flights Crew and Happy New Year to all!!
I wanted just to share all I have from the book signing at the instore on December 16 in Mondadori Milan and the concert of December 17 of Milano Forum Assago.
I am Italian (Sicilian), but I don’t live in Italy, my work has taken me to various places, now I live in lower France and will soon move to Paris.
I started to follow Il VOLO thanks to my uncle, since “Ti lascio una canzone” in Italy, but I never saw Il VOLO in concert before.
Their voices are really fantastic. Being brought up in Italy in a family that listened and read opera books, I knew right away that their voices were special.
I’m subscribed to several fan pages, as I believe all of you too, and also on this site, and it’s in this crew that I wanted to share my experiences.
I came from France to attend the concert and when I read that the day before there would be a book signing I was happy, so I could also do that event at the Feltrinelli bookshop.
I had the chance to see them from very close at the Mondadori Library. Gianluca and Piero looked really tired, no wonder after such a tour of the world in less than 80days 🤣!!!!
Must say that Ignazio was the most kind, fun, talkative, open and welcoming one that day.
While I was in line I took some photos.
I saw and called to Daniela, we exchanged a few words, but we didn’t take a picture.
Hi Daniela, it was nice to meet you in Milan!
And here it is my photo, posted on the library page!!
The day after, at the sound check, I could approach Gianluca, who has been very kind indeed, to ask him when they would perform in France, country where I live, he was really kind and took the time to answer me I could also see his father Mr. Ercole Ginoble and his brother Ernesto sitting not so far from us, but I did not dare to go and talk to them ….I didn’t want to bother them.
Apart from the unfortunate and poor staff organisation of both events, -Fans put away by security for a photos after queuing 1 and 1/2 hour the first day……..and – standing in the cold for 2 hours to enter in the sound check without microphone for a Q&A , the second day, pity, because Il Volo certainly deserves an organization of a higher level………but the most important thing is that:
THE CONCERT WAS AMAZING!!!
– I went home with my eyes and ears full of magic ready to repeat this experience, very soon I hope, and over and over again thinking that this was not just a concert it was a true Experience that will grow intellectually and culturally old with them as time will go by… I truly can feel it.
– And the three of them are not just singers they could be much, much more together and also by themselves …. I also bet that the fans have not yet seen a quarter of what they will and are able to do in the future.
Il Volo strives for the importance of the family. I wonder if they really know that they put together families and different generations thanks to their concerts, their music and their art!!!
Here is my sister and brother-in-law whom I brought with me to the concert. They loved it!!!
Ignazio, Gianluca and Piero, have different personalities that we know and I could witness that is true now!
Ignazio is a real showman. ❤
Piero is a very good and handsome show supporter of Ignazio and his voice is just amazing especially when he sings opera…..❤
Gianluca has a fantastic scene presence. ❤
The three of them make ONE and complete each other leaving the audience with a breathtaking envy to have a listen to them once more.
Ignazio is unforgettable in his solo “All by Myself “ and unbelievably touchy together with Gianluca in the Alleluia duos with the magic and extra professional orchestra that plays what the three magically arrange.
Unfortunately I was too far away to take nice photos of our beloved boys, but I also wanted to enjoy the show.
I made two or three videos with my cell phone, but I don’t have Facebook and I don’t know how to share them with you, I hope Pat is able to attach at least the “Hallelujah” one, even if I turned my cell phone upside down. But the sights, sounds and beautiful voices of that evening remain etched in my mind.
When you are a fan, it is a serious thing and fans are forever. ❤️💕🌸
So here we are in 2023 and we’re getting ready for new concerts and new surprises. The guys have gotten really good at surprising us. All of this will play out over the next year but until then, let’s step back 10 years and see what the guys were up to.
For one, they spent a lot of time doing shows in America. That’s right! They had already done all the morning and night shows, and now, they were spending a lot of time on the local family shows. So, for today, let’s Step Back in Time to 2013 to see some of these shows.
Actually, before we move on to America, I want to post an article that Daniela did on the guys in 2013. Daniela did most of the translation for this article. I just added comments here and there. This is a very funny video of the guys on the FIORELLO Show.
I will give you the translation first, so you understand what is going on. The show is so funny you really don’t need the translation to appreciate it.
THE BOYS IN 2013 ~ by DANIELA
We are in December 2013 and the guys are promoting their latest CD “Buon Natale.”
The guys are in the study of a famous radio program in Milan, the program is called the newsstand and the entertainer is called FIORELLO.
FIORELLO is a talented showman not only on radio but also TV and he is very kid friendly and personable and …. of course … Sicilian.
The studio is located on the ground floor of the building and the people can come in and enjoy themselves, in fact the people around are people passing by (lucky them).
Fiorello began by saying today there are few artists who manage to cross the Italian borders. You know some of them Bocelli, Pausini, Ramazzotti.
Fiorello says that Il Volo’s disk does not contain some songs he calls ghost track and submits a song whose title makes me laugh so much and everybody sings it in a very playful manner especially Piero.
The song is a Sicilian tarantella and is titled TIRICHITOLLA. I don’t think you can translate the meaning but, know that it is a very typical Sicilian song and rather racy, and it is for this reason that Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca and Fiorello laugh a lot.
Piero at one-point attempts to translate the saying to mean “give me a kiss, I’m sick” it’s not really the true meaning of the phrase but it gives it some sense.
Keep the laughs on the double meaning of the sentence. Piero is unstoppable, and Fiorello says to be careful because these guys are crazy (in the sense of naughty, cheeky) more than he. Piero tells a few jokes, to joke, and Laurie says that is not funny.
Ignazio seems oddly calm.
Fiorello said that they are unleashing on his program because abroad they cannot sing this song and not even with Vespa in Porta Porta and they continue to laugh at this, and the people say that even with Barbara Streisand they could sing this song.
At this point a girl from the audience wants to sing WOMEN IN LOVE and the boys in a beautiful, beautiful moment accompany her.
Even Fiorello sings with them (he’s also a singer), but the magic moment is over and it’s back to TIRICHITOLLA.
Fiorello jokes that from now on he will open all his shows singing TIRICHITOLLA.
Fiorello says, “the boys speak English well! How did you learn English so well?” Gianluca says he speaks “very fluent“ and Piero (who is actually very cheerful) says “when we go to London, people speak more sophisticated, and they don’t understand and they look at us and they are saying “what the f***.” (sorry but those are Piero’s words).”
Then Fiorello says FELIZ NAVIDAD is his daughters’ favorite song. He says, “do you promise that when you go to America at the end of your concerts you will dedicate a song to friends from Sicily.”
Piero replies, “What? Which?” And again, they sing TIRICHITOLLA.
The guys announced that on Christmas day they will sing in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Gianluca went on to say that their wish would be to do a series of concerts in their homeland – Italy, because they’re always abroad (wishes come true), and Fiorello said that he would close the concerts with TIRICHITOLLA.
Fiorello closes by saying, “They are really nice. I like them. I really like you a lot but again you must promise me the next time you’ll be hosting in America you have to say we dedicate a particular song to our Sicilian friends.
(What a lucky Sicilian!) We thank Il Volo. Here they are, so we wish you good luck with everything. Good luck with Bruno Vespa, tonight.
We remind you that the guys will do something for one of our Italian friends ~ St. Frances. On Christmas Day after the mass of the Holy Father, you will be guests at the concert from the Basilica of San Francesco.”
Gianluca: We do all we can especially for Italians because who we love our land, and we remember you always when we are abroad.
Beautiful ending with a small bit of Nessun Dorma.
Daniela said, “I do not know if you can understand the meaning of this video, but there is no doubt that the boys enjoyed themselves and also really appreciated Fiorello’s jokes and that he recognized the value of Il Volo.
This is a really funny video!
So, let’s go to America!
Among the shows that they did was the “Home and Family Show,” on the Hallmark channel. The first show is from June 2013. They cooked ravioli with Cristina Ferrare and of course they were interviewed, and what would the show be if they didn’t sing. They talked about their concerts in America and how much they love America. There was a lot of joking around between the guys and actor, Maz Jobrani.
So, sit back and watch the guys make ravioli with Cristina and have one of their famous Fruit Launches!
And in November 2013, the guys went back to do a Holiday Show on Home & Family.
They got the Latin American Music Award nomination for Latin Pop Album for Arist of the Year Duo or Group.
Let’s not forget their beautiful Tribute to Jose Jose at the Latin Billboard Awards in May 2013.
In July 2013 the guys sang on the Kris Jenner Show. They truly charmed her!
On the 40th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards the guys sang “Mas Que Amor” (“We Are Love”) for the 2013 Memorial for those TV actors who died during the year.
In December the guys stopped by Border Crossings to do an interview with Larry London. They discussed their new Christmas album and performed a few songs in the studio. This interview was part of Larry London’s 2013 Christmas Special.
And like this past year, the guys were part of the Walt Disney World Christmas Parade 2013.
Back at home they did a special Christmas Concert at the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.
I would also like to include one special event from April 2013. It seems fitting that it would be included!
In this show Piero was surprised by the host who has Piero’s grandparents sitting in the audience.
The host tells Piero he has a surprise for him. A special moment.
There is shock on Piero’s face when he sees his grandparents in the audience.
The Host said, Here it is a hug with the grandfather (Pietro Ognibene) who gave you the passion of the life of music.
The Host (continues): We also gave him a gift. He has never experienced the emotion of a live concert and we are giving it to him today. He said he heard him sing when he was small, and he understood that he had something more.
Pietro Ognibene: I always, always believed in it, but I always say it’s difficult climb high up but easy to find the ground. Be careful what you do and always walk in your own steps.
I always tell all my grandchildren to be careful because the stepmother is found in front of the door when leaving the house, the stepmother is sometimes with those who start walking and carry on with life, but we are strong, these young men will keep the honor of the family.
The guys then sang for him!
It was a very beautiful moment!
So that was our Step Back in Time to 2013.
Before I close I would like to answer a question that many of you have asked me over the last week. You want to know what Bosky_TV is about and where it can be found.
Bosky_TV is a Live CHAT on TWITCH which is hosted by Ignazio. No, it is not about Il Volo although questions obviously come up about Il Volo. On Bosky_TV Ignazio invites interesting guest to join him, and all the viewers are able to participate either as a listener, with questions or as subscribers who can be more interactive.
The CHAT is in Italian, but people can ask questions in English, Spanish, Portuguese or whatever language Ignazio has learned that day! If your question is in English it will be answered in English. In fact, Ignazio said he will have a CHAT in English soon.
This past week Ignazio hosted a show with a doctor who spoke about nutrition. It was a very interesting show and I personally learned a lot from it!
He had another show that was about social media.
And he did some shows with his friends Stefano and Marco!
The show isn’t at all serious, as you would expect coming from Ignazio. He dances and plays games. There’s music but not Il Volo music. We play BINGO.
And, if you don’t like something that Ignazio said or just for the fun of it, you can throw a TOMATO or other items at him. And of course, if you’re happy you can also APPLAUD him.
What is the show really about! It’s about Ignazio being Ignazio! Ignazio talks about whatever he wants to talk about or whatever we want to discuss with him. We can pose a question if we like. Every day is a new experience.
So where do we find this? TWITCH, Instagram, TikTok and later this week you will be able to follow on YouTube.
On your iPhone or iPad you can download the TWITCH App at the App Store and FOLLOW Bosky_TV.
If you follow Ignazio on Instagram you can click the link in his story and follow the CHAT Live. You can FOLLOW Ignazio on Instagram @ignazioboschetto. Look for the Blue Check mark after his name to make sure it is Ignazio. If there’s no Blue Check, it’s not Ignazio.
@ignazioboschetto
So don’t be left out! Join the CHAT today!
I also want to mention that I have started a new FaceBook page. Susan.on.Live. The Il Volo stories continue to take up a lot of my time and I get many questions about what things are trending, like the question this week about Bosky_TV. I also get questions about Il Volo interviews and newspaper articles so, I decided to start a page where I can post everything that needs to be posted, and you can go on there at any time and look at information or ask questions. Each week I will also post my story Through the Fields of My Mind but, of course, you can read this story on www.ilvoloflightcrw.com or the individual fan page. And I will also post Daniela’s Italian stories that she translates. This should put everything in one place for you.
On this page you can also find updates on my book, and my new book!
So FOLLOW me on FaceBook at Susan.on.Live. On Instagram you can FOLLOW me @susan_debartoli.
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 the owners of Videos and Photos. Most of the photos in this story came from IL VOLO~From Ti Lascio to World. Thank you, Judy!
Happy New Year!
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
