EUROPEAN TOUR: BULGARIA and GREECE by Daniela

Our Facebook fanpage was blocked for a few days, and some of you may have thought “but where has Flight Crew gone?” They told us that we don’t respect Facebook’s “standards” and for this reason they had blocked us, but now it’s Everything is OK.
So we are late with the articles on the various concerts, but we will try to catch up.

21 September PLOVDIV, Bulgaria, in the beautiful Ancient Theatre.

Lots of enthusiastic people. I will attach only one video for Plovdiv, but on YouTube I found the entire video of the whole concert, it is shot from the side and sometimes it makes you feel seasick watching it 😁, but the video does not have a moment’s pause, and the dialogue is in English, so you will be able to listen to an entire concert and understand what is being said, enjoy the audience’s reactions and I hope you will appreciate my choice even if the images make you a little nauseous. 😁😉.

And how wonderful it is to witness moments like this! ❤
What a great and emotional evening it was. Such a blessing. We, and especially Vaya, we’re so excited and happy for the opportunity to listen to these great and touching voices once again Thank you @ilvolomusic, @giampierograni , @gianginoble11 , @barone_piero and @ignazioboschetto – you are simply amazing and the best  Thank you! ( from Vaya’s mom)

Soundcheck Plovdiv

But now the time has finally come for concerts in Greece.
After such a long wait, Greek fans will finally be able to have two concerts:

September 23 Thessaloniki

Greece has waited a long time for this moment and the Greek fans have savored every moment of Il Volo’s presence.

MY WAY

IL MONDO

SE

I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU

GRANDE AMORE

Torpedine and Barbara to the right 

On the sign: Gianluca, Ignazio, Piero, you are my great loves. ❤

September 25, ATHENS

The magnificent ODEON HERODES ATTICUS will host the concert.
The public has a lot of love to give to Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio and the three of them are thrilled by this warm welcome from the Greek audience.

Our dear friend RoseMarie Paliobes was present, both in Thessaloniki and in Athens, she was in the front row there, she sent me this comment:
Ok, it happened! I was in Thessaloniki and Athens with some of my family and other Greek relatives from Larissa. My daughter, granddaughter and I had front row seats in Thessaloniki. They were not assigned seats so it was first come first seated. We were very fortunate to have gone to the sound check and get the best seats. The guys were talking to us except Gianluca who was on the phone, he seemed tired or maybe wasn’t feeling well. Between sound check and show Ignazio and Piero were walking around the theater. Ignazio as usual being followed by young girls. Piero stopped to talk to me, my daughter and granddaughter. I asked him when they would come back to the USA and he said 2025 (😥), but he will be in New York this November because he is training to run the NYC marathon. I told him my daughter and granddaughter both run and the conversation went on about running. He is very serious about that. Then we went and waited for the concert to begin.
When the guys came out on stage I thought my heart would burst. ❤❤❤
Greece has been waiting a very, very long time for this evening to happen. The guys knew it but were still a little surprised by the outpouring of love from the sold out. At the end of the concert the guys promised to come back to Greece soon. 😘😘😘
It was the same in Athens, we had 2nd row seats, first row for some Greek VIPs. The Herodus Atticus theater at the base of the Parthenon is heart stoppingly beautiful. With the guys on stage even more so. Gianluca seemed to be his old self, sweet, sexy and in a romantic mood. Ignazio, what can I say about him, funny, serious, in great form. Piero, my goodness what a voice, I’m waiting for him to sing at the Met or LaScala, I think he is ready. Only negative thing was, they cancelled the sound check and Meet and Greet. We were told “technical difficulties”. Very disappointing. So, now, here is the best for last. Piero knew from the Meet and Greet OMGVIP guy John that we did not have the Meet and Greet in Thessaloniki, so after that concert, John came out and said we were invited to come as Piero’s personal guests. I thought I died and went to heaven. It was one of the best evenings of my life. ❤

Wow, wow, Beautiful experience RoseMarie, and what about Piero? Truly a beautiful person, who knows how many would have liked to be in your place.

ANGELS (Gianluca)

DELILAH

HERE’S TO YOU

GRANDE AMORE

NELLA FANTASIA

MISERERE

LIBIAM DE LIETI CALICI

UN AMORE COSÌ GRANDE

HALLELUJAH

SE TELEFONANDO

With fans before concert ☺

And here is what OGAE GREECE writes.

The OGAE GREECE story – Click Here

THE TWO EVENINGS WITH IL VOLO TO THESSALONIKI AND ATHENS WERE MAGICAL

Finally, the Italian trio Il Volo has many more friends in Greece than we imagined. On Saturday evening the Gis Theater in Thessaloniki was packed, sold out since the first days of ticket sales at the Herodion, where we met last night.
The ‘boys with the golden throat’ Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble showed themselves moved by the warm welcome from the world, but also by the grandeur of the Ancient Theater of Herodes Atticus. With great vocal form, they took us on a journey to our favorite songs in the best possible way. And what was missing from their program, from bel canto, to classical arias, Ennio Morricone, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion, but also Leonard Cohen and Robbie Williams.
The moments we didn’t expect were the fun playing with the audience between one very challenging performance and another. The development of three very different personalities with quite different musical preferences. Ignazio has at least five mentions of how much he likes feta (Loreen, you’re not the only one). The…going up to the stands of the Herodion for hugs and selfies with the fans while at the same time singing ‘Here’s to you’ by Ennio Morricone.
Piero’s admission of how lucky we should all feel (putting himself first) to be where we are now. Gianluca’s confession that through Eurovision they realized how much the Greek fans love them.
The moment we were all waiting for – but once again its magic is indescribable – arrived at the end, with their only song of the setlist, ‘Grande amore’. Shortly before, they made us all stand up to sing and dance together to a rousing rendition of “Volare”.
The extraordinary ERT Contemporary Music Orchestra under the direction of George Aradis certainly added to the magic. In Thessaloniki, the Thessaloniki Municipality Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Anastasios Symeonidis, is equally enchanting.
Too many Il Volo fans who couldn’t find tickets were on the pavement right outside the Herodion last night. Many had their stools with them. As we learned, they enjoyed the sound part of the concert (the acoustics were fantastic even outside) and were just as moved as those “inside”.
The concert ended with a promise from the “boys”. They will definitely come back to us. We await them with the same anticipation.
A beautiful article was published by SOUNDART.GR, a music review website.  (You may or may not need to view the link below by using a VPN -virtual private network – like Nord VPN.)

Click Here to view article

Reportage: ILVOLO triumphed in their sold-out concert at the Herodion.

Il Volo’s appearance in Athens made history with the packed Herodion trembling with music and applause!
After hearing the best things about Il Volo’s appearance in Thessaloniki, the anticipation of all of us to enjoy the Italian stars of the opera-pop scene has become stronger and stronger until we can enjoy them at Herodion on September 25th. Our expectations for one of the best shows of 2023 were far exceeded and Il Volo has written its own history at the historic Athens venue.
From the start the fans of Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca lined up and everything went smoothly until they were placed in their seats. With the clock ticking just a few minutes past 8pm, the scheduled time for the trio and orchestra to appear on stage, loud applause was enough to welcome the energetic and cheerful troubadours. A warm greeting with the three performers who told us “Good morning”, “Good evening” and “Good night” showing us what they learned in Greece, was the beginning to appreciate the melodic “The ecstasy of gold” by Ennio Morricone and “Nessun dorma” by Giacomo Puccini.
“Il Mondo” by Jimmy Fontana, “Granada” by Agustín Lara, but also “Io che non vive (senza te)” by Pino Donaggio created the right atmosphere to enjoy the impressive solos of the three band members. Ignazio Boschetto performed Celine Dion’s “All By Myself” wonderfully and Gianluca impressed us with Elvis Presley’s “I can’t help fall in love”. The irresistible Piero, receiving continuous applause from the audience, “invited” his two friends and colleagues to share the stage again for “Un amore così grande” by Guido Maria, after having first given us a unique interpretation of his “E lucevan le stelle” by Giacomo Puccini.
“Love Theme” from “Cinema Paradiso” made the atmosphere more romantic and they handed over the baton to “Nella fantasia”. Songs like “Se Telefonando” (Mina), “My Way” (Claude François), but also a cover by an artist who had a great influence on the course of Il Volo, Luciano Pavarotti, in the song “Miserere”, brought us listening to the enchanting “Alleluia”, during the performance of which no one stopped singing.
With the atmosphere becoming more “warm” and a little “playful”, Herodion played “Delilah” (Les Reed), “Funiculì, funiculà” (Luigi Danza), but also “Here’s To You” (Ennio Morricone). Among the other iconic and classic songs that have left their mark over time, we appreciated “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion with the voice of Ignazio, “No puede ser” by Pablo Sorozábal by Piero, but also the more modern “Angels” by Robbie Williams by Gianluca.
An impressive finale could not be missing without the most timeless hits of Italian music, so “Caruso” by Lucio Dalla is followed by “Libiamo, ne’ lieti calici” from the opera “La Traviata” by Giuseppe Verdi, but also the unmistakable “ ‘O sole mio” by Eduardo Di Capua. After the “uplifting” “Nel blu,painted blue”, for which Il Volo invited us to get up from our seats, the moment we were all waiting for has arrived. “Grande amore” resounded loudly under the Acropolis with the audience present in a pleasant delirium.
And if any of this will remain unforgettable, it is the energy of Il Volo, who, despite their young age, have made people of all ages adore them for their talent, their impeccable stage presence and their essential communication with the public. Il Volo did not hesitate to climb the stairs to reach the highest level of the stands to reach the highest levels of the Herodion and sing among their beloved fans, while Ignazio will make us think of him for the adoration he showed towards our … “feta cheese”.
With a warm “Goodnight” in broken Greek with an Italian accent, Il Volo promised us that they would be back to visit us soon and we will wait for them!
We will see each other!
Ηλέκτρα Λήμνιου
Reportage, Slider-home
In this photo, however, you see my three beautiful Greek friends, present at both concerts, RoseMarie, (wearing glasses) you know her well, then there is Katerina Tsaousi and Fofi Soratsioli, I met all three personally a few years ago in Verona .
Here’s what Katerina wrote:
One of the first and one of the last photos of the concert in Odeon Herodes Atticus in Athens.

Between the two photos there is a big difference . The mood of the boys changed. The warmth of the Greek people welcoming every song with long applauses and screams of excitement and pleasure made our idols become at first surprised and then more “open” and the chemistry between the spectators and the artists took fire. The audience didn’t stop singing with the boys and dancing to the last songs.
After the closing song “Grande Amore” the boys gave us a promise that they will return to Greece not only for one more time but for a series of concerts (something that made us very happy).
Gianluca remembered that Greece at the Eurovision song contest of 2015 gave to Italy the biggest award, the 12 points (because Il Volo was the best ). And ,even though there wasn’t any advertisement for Il Volo in the media in Greece, the Greeks made the concert in Athens to be sold out in only ten days and the concert of Thessaloniki to be sold out in the last few days. 5,000 people in Athens and 5,000 people in Thessaloniki enjoyed Il Volo for the first time in Greece . We are happy to have the boys here in our country, we love their music, their talent, their voices and their energy.
Thank you, Il Volo .
C’è un amore così grande per te.
(There’s such a big love for you)
____________________________________________________________
And this was written by Fofi:
I’M TRYING TO FIND ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE WHAT I LIVED LAST NIGHT IN HERODION ANCIENT THEATRE BUT I CAN’T…I’M ALSO TRYING TO DEFINE THE THOUSANDS OF EMOTIONS I WAS OVERFLOWING WITH BUT I FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE!!! WORDS JUST FAIL ME…MAYBE JUST ONE COULD GIVE YOU A SLIGHT IDEA: MAGIC…FOR OUR INCREDIBLE IL VOLO THERE IS NOTHING I COULD SAY THAT YOU DON’T ALREADY KNOW…THEIR PHOTOS SHOULD BE NEXT TO THE WORD “PERFECTION”…DIVINE VOICES, UNIQUE TALENT, AMAZING PERSONALITIES…AFTER NOT MORE THAN TWO MINUTES WATCHING THEM PERFORM, YOU FALL IN ETERNAL LOVE WITH THEM…PIERO, A REAL GENTLEMAN, MORE MATURE THAN EVER…IGNAZIO, A PERFECT SHOWMAN, HE INSTANTLY TAKES YOUR HEART…GIANLUCA, A TENDER SOUL, ROMANTIC AND SENSITIVE…IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE…A DREAM THAT WE, THE GREEK FANS, HAVE WAITED FOR ALMOST FIFTEEN YEARS TO SEE IT HAPPENING…I’VE ALWAYS PICTURED THE BOYS SINGING IN THIS BEAUTIFUL THEATRE, UNDER THE ACROPOLIS…NO OTHER PLACE COULD BE MORE PERFECT FOR THEM…AND IT WAS MAGIC…A NIGHT WE WILL NEVER FORGET!!! A “THANK YOU” TO THEM WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH FOR WHAT THEY ACTUALLY GAVE US…WE JUST HOPE THAT THEY FELT OUR LOVE, OUR ADMIRATION AND OUR GRATITUDE FOR THAT EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE THEY OFFERED US!!! BOTH PIERO AND IGNAZIO ENDED THE SHOW BY TELLING US THAT THEY DIDN’T EXPECT SUCH A WELCOME, THEY SINCERELY THANKED US FOR ALL OUR LOVE AND PROMISED THEY WILL COME AGAIN SOON…
WE JUST CAN’T WAIT…IT WAS A TWO-HOUR EXCHANGE OF FEELINGS…MUTUAL EMOTIONS THAT LEFT THEIR MARK ON OUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN A PLACE WHICH WAS THE ABSOLUTE MATCH FOR THEM…I’LL CLOSE WITH PIERO’S WORDS LAST NIGHT…AT SOME MOMENT BETWEEN TWO SONGS HE SAID : “ I WAS AT THE BACK LOOKING AROUND THIS PLACE AND THIS BEAUTIFUL MOON ABOVE AND I JUST THOUGHT HOW LUCKY WE ARE TO LIVE IN THIS BEAUTY “…I WOULD ADD “AND TO EXPERIENCE THESE WONDERFUL FEELINGS WE GET THROUGH MUSIC, LOVE AND RESPECT”…PIERO, IGNAZIO, GIANLUCA…FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS: THANK YOU!!!

My goodness, so many beautiful words from everyone and very deserved. Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca must have been truly moved by so much love.
In short, as usual I am speechless for everything I have seen, heard and read.
I am so proud of Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio and I am also so happy that the European fans are appreciating them with so much affection.
And the tour continues, see you soon!!
Daniela 🤗

 

Credit to owners of all photos and videos.

34 thoughts on “EUROPEAN TOUR: BULGARIA and GREECE by Daniela”

  1. Oh, what a report, or rather, many wonderful reports! Thank you so much! I had goose bumps going down my back just reading the news articles about Il Volo. Makes me so happy that Europe acknowledges, recognizes, and writes about the popularity of Il Volo and their unique talents and personalities.
    Wow, thank you again!

    1. I must admit Maija that I too got goosebumps reading those beautiful words addressed to our young men, I am so happy for them.

  2. We have so much to be grateful for!! – the music – the Orchestra – the programming – being able to see these concerts from the other side of the world & all the people involved to make these concerts happen – you bring so much joy into our lives & to coin a phrase from David Garrett “if only you knew” & Daniela & Pat – many thanks to you girls for the warm hearted reporting & translating – you are always loyal – much love.

    1. Jude, you are too good with your compliments, thank you.
      There is a lot to say and listen to and read because these three treasures don’t stand still for a moment and people are really appreciating them a lot.

  3. They were 2 days that will live in my memory for as long as I live and breathe.  Thank you Daniela and Pat.

    1. I believe you RoseMarie it must have been a fabulous and engaging concert, I think you all touched the hearts of our guys. They will return with much happiness in the future.

  4. I experienced the concert in Athens & I, too, have no words!!! Our guys seemed as in awe of us as we were of them. The theatre was the best place for them to be . I’m sure they felt the honor to be in such a magnificent place as they have many beautiful places like that in Italy. They outdo themselves every time & I am so grateful for them & their team that got them there! May they forever be blessed to do what they want & to offer their God given talent to the world!!!❤️❤️❤️

    1. They certainly felt the importance of the place and the great affection coming from the audience, you can imagine from their faces in the photos, there is great amazement and a lot of gratitude. Wonderful concert Athena.

  5. Thank you, thank you,a million times thank you!!! To be able to read all the amazing tributes to our amazing, talented, loving young men…..ILVOLO FOREVER!  Their music has a profound affect on all who are willing to listen, but to see them in person performing is other worldly.  God has blessed them with so much and they have blessed US with what was given to them to make this world one (at least in terms of their talent and personas)….how can we say thank you enough!  You both along with Susan have brought us all along (if only) to visit Greece (on my bucket list,)and to witness the magic that is Il VOLO.  Now I need to listen to the incredible music from that night…..after I finish packing to go back to Florida, summers over here!
    May all of you be blessed everyday of your lives by our God above, with love and gratitude, Carol🎼🎤💖💖💖🤗😘🙏🙏🙏☮️🦋💛🧡💙❤️💚💜🤍👏👏👏
    PS:  so heartbroken to hear they won’t be back to the USA until 2025!  I’ll even miss Piero (but I’ll watch on TV) running in the marathon! My granddaughter has qualified for the 2024 NYC MARATHON!  It’s rigorous training and I know Piero is ready and able, I’ll be rooting for him!  Do we know his #??

    1. You’re welcome, Carol. I’m hoping that by 2025 I’ll be in tip top shape to go to a concert or maybe even two! 😁

    2. There’s so much to listen Carol, to and you’ll even enjoy listening to them talk between songs, even if you get seasick!!
      Piero, Ignazio and GIanluca certainly don’t spare their voices or their strength during the concerts, I wonder how they can face all this……but of course, with the love of the fans.

  6. Daniela and Pat, you always give us good reports but it was lovely to see what other fans thought. I especially liked what Fofi said about their personalities.
    And that pic of Barbara and Michel is priceless, like two proud parents.

    1. It is always my pleasure, Gail. I also liked hearing the comments from Katerina and Fofi. 😊

    2. Yes Gail, that photo of Torpedine and Barbara shows all their affection towards their three pupils. Torpedine also published a photo of the concert, happy with the success it had in Greece, given that it was the first time.
      Really nice words, from Fofi.

  7. This was just glorious. I don’t know how to thank you for what sent chills up and down my spine. You are so kind and generous to send us these videos. What a present to watch and listen to these great artists. Thank you from my heart. 

    1. Thank you Daniela for all of this post. The guys were incredible as usual. I really enjoyed reading all the nice comments about them. It was so heartwarming to read all the wonderful things said about them. They truly are one of a kind. I was also sad to find out they will not be back in the states til 2025. It seems like such a long time. Your posts will help us to be able to keep in touch with the guys. Thank you again for doing this for us.

      1. Yes Cathy, everything is very positive, except the fact that they said they will return in 2025. But everything is not confirmed yet. Who knows, there may be some nice and welcome surprise.

    2. You’ve seen Victoria, I won’t leave you without news, there’s plenty to read and listen to.
      I hope that everything can reach our friend too.
      And the tour continues!!

  8. Thank you for that Daniela i was so glad i got tickets to see them in Plovdiv what a experience to see them live their voices are amazing ,Piero has a fantastic voice ,i am glad he will be doing opera next year ,so i am so glad again to see them in person it was a fab night ,regards

    1. Pamela and I are so glad you saw them in concert. Plovdiv has a beautiful old theater and our treasures were perfectly at home!

  9. I couldn’t stop smiling reading this wonderful post. As so many others have said, what would we do without you, Daniela and Pat, and your excellent work for us! Plus a thank you to all who posted the comments, videos, and photos. My husband and I attended a performance at the Odeon, and while we loved the magnificent setting, I can’t help but envy those lucky ones who saw this performance with our terrific three.

    1. Judi, I am also part of those who have a little envy of those who attended these concerts. Everything must have been fantastic starting from the fairytale atmosphere, a breathtaking environment, a warm audience and our three more than motivated artists. I too appreciated the beautiful and well-deserved words, which we fans know were well deserved.

  10. What a wonderful report Daniela and Pat – thanks a million for sharing. And a great thanks for the various individual reviews as well. Always so great to learn of other fans experiences and not the least that they express the same emotions and feelings that I am having myself following having heard them in Milan. Realizing that I am not alone with my feelings and observations. It’s great with this fine fan community here on “Flightcrew”👍😋❤️
    And Athens… wow what a venue! No better environment to embrace our guy’s performances… that must have lifted the entire experience yet a level! And no wonder if the guys were a bit humble and in awe finding themselves right on that stage. And I am glad that the Greek fans gave them such a warm and hearty welcome at their first concerts in Greece. Proving it was about time they made it down there. I’m more than confident that Greece will be a firm concert venue on their future European Tours.
    Again thanks for taking the time to find these great video clips and comments. So much appreciated ❤️👍
    Warm greetings – Kirsten, Denmark 🇩🇰

    1. Yes Kirsten, they are doing a series of European concerts where they are getting a lot of recognition and a lot of warmth from an audience that is increasingly fond of bel canto.
      Unfortunately, given the latest news, I don’t think they will go to Tel Aviv on the 14th!

  11. A beautifully written series of memories of nights under the stars hearing Il Volo. I envy you for having had such a wonderful experience with our guys!
    I was sad that they don’t plan to return to the US for another year plus…2025!
    I’ll keep asking the Lord to grant me a long life and wait for the magic to come back to our shores.

    I’m trying to accumulate as many of the videos they’ve produced as well as CD’s. I hear their music all day in my head and even though I don’t have Italian or Spanish the melodies are beautiful and I love them.

    Maybe if I get notice of a Greece concert series I’ll be able to get there via my son’s airline connection. Then to find a place to stay. I so desperately want to hear them live at least once before I’m called home by my Lord.

    God bless them and keep them safe.🙏🏻❤️🥰

    1. Muriel, it’s sad to think that they won’t come to the US in 2025, but sometimes plans get upset and therefore, until the very end, we must not lose hope.
      They certainly won’t let us miss their presence, because there will be many news and many participations and we will always keep you informed of everything.

  12. Loved all the wonderful comments about the guys, makes my feelings soar with emotion. I am so proud of these guys, I think of them as my grandchildren that I never had. I was devastated to read they would not be here in 2025 and am hoping that I am still here to see them when they do return. Thank goodness for you guys and your great reviews and videos and thank goodness for Youtube where we can watch some whole concerts and lots of videos and many interviews with English captions. Thanks again to all contributors to this wonderful site.

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