A Masterpiece by Susan De Bartoli

 

How many different ways can you say Masterpiece! Capolavoro by far was the highlight of Sanremo! I know the guys didn’t win but what they brought to Sanremo was a winning team, a winning performance and the best video clip of Sanremo 2024!

It truly deserved the Casa Sanremo ~ Soundies Award 2024! And of course, compliments to Leandro Manuel Emede Director, Nicolo Cerioni Creative Director and Cardigan srl Producer of the video!

Leandro Manuel Emede said, “Thanks to the jury of music and film experts of Casa Sanremo and to the President of the National Syndicate of Italian Cinematic Journalists (Sngci) of the Silver Ribbons for choosing our video clip as Best Video Clip Sanremo2024.”
The award for the best video clip was presented by Vincenzo Russolillo to Il Volo. The idea of this award was born from Russolillo himself and the award represents the first award in Italian history dedicated to the video clips of a song competing at the Sanremo Festival and intended for record companies.
When presenting the award to Il Volo, Russolillo said, “Your work has been selected by a high-quality jury, chaired by Laura Delli Colli, President of the National Union of Italian Film Journalists (SNGCI) of the Nastri d’Argento.”
Russolillo continued, “from the stage of the Lounge of Casa Sanremo, I deliver the Soundies Awards 2024 Award, on behalf of the Municipality of Sanremo from the hands of Councillor Sara Tonegutti, together with a voucher for the production of the next video clip to be made in the territory of the Municipality of Sanremo.
The trio takes music to new heights through video, exploring the stars and the mysteries of infinity. A visual odyssey that combines the musical talent of Il Volo with the grandeur of space, offering a sensory experience that defies the boundaries of imagination.”
It truly was a magnificent video. Even when we didn’t know what the song was about we were enthralled by the video and when we finally saw it, we were totally floored! It went beyond words!

We knew it was the best video and their performance was A Masterpiece, and it should have sent a message to the press.
So let me back up a minute and tell you what we all know and certainly what the guys knew.
I know the guys saw the writing on the wall even before they entered the competition.  I’m not saying that they must win because they are Il Volo; what I’m saying is you should be judged fairly.
Il Volo has never been judged fairly by the Italian press! More so than anything else, it hurts the Italian fans because the Italian fans love them! What Il Volo presented this past week was phenomenal. Their performances surpassed every other performance at Sanremo 2024!  Their elegance! Their presence on stage! Their never-ending voices! Voices that touch our souls!  Voices that give every song meaning because every song they sing comes to life with their voices!
People all over the world love these guys and yet a hand full of press choose prejudice to judge them instead of integrity! It begs the question, what did three teenage boys do to bring down your wrath and cause you to never find a kind word for them in fifteen years? Where is your integrity?
I truly wish Angelina Mango the best of luck. She deserved to win as much as Il Volo deserved to be judged fairly!

Let’s take a look at their first performance at Sanremo 2024 !

There were many interviews last week. In one of those interviews, the guys told us there will be a PBS special taped at the pyramids in Egypt in June. What amazing news! It seems this is what they were saying when they said they were preparing something nice for their American friends.
I thank Daniela for all the beautiful translations she did this last week. You can read all these translations in Daniela Perani’s column on Flight Crew!
I have just a few excerpts of interviews I wanted to bring to your attention.

Immediately after performing Capolavoro for the first time, the guys went to the Radio 2 box to be interviewed by Eva Stokolma and the journalist, Gino Castaldo. In the past, Castaldo has never had a good comment for our guys. One question Castaldo asked the guys summed up the interview and said a lot about their presence at Sanremo 2024.
Castaldo: I have a serious question. You have been international for a long time, you move from one stage to another, crazy performances from New York, the world is your audience. Is it possible that Sanremo is still so exciting for you who now have the world in front of you as spectators?
Ignazio: But you know better than us that around Sanremo there is a whole machine that rotates and it’s crazy, there’s a lot of work this week and if you’re not strong you risk being overwhelmed and sucked in by the anxiety and tension that the week takes its toll on you, after a year and a half of work, as Gianluca said.
Gianluca: It’s an emotional factor, we were born here, so we become children again when we go up on that stage, all those childhood anxieties reemerge as if it were the first time.
Castaldo concluded by saying, “Good work, have a good week.” A compliment from Castaldo. I’m surprised the guys didn’t faint!
Beyond the compliment, the answer to Castaldo’s question really says a lot about their performance at Sanremo. The emotions of singing on the Ariston Stage brings back beautiful memories of their first performance; a performance that also includes the “childhood anxieties,” as Gianluca said! If there were anxieties, I never noticed them!

The second interview with Eve and Castaldo really blew everyone’s mind. Listen to Castaldo’s comments.
Castaldo: I will tell you, and I was commenting on it, that your song grows with every listen.
Ignazio: Come on!! But this is great news.
Gianluca: Coming from Gino Castaldo (who has always been negative against Il Volo)…..thanks, coming from him it’s incredible.
Eva: But it’s the truth.
Ignazio: I have to say one thing, I had a lot of fun tonight. It’s something I immediately said to them (Gian and Piero), we hugged each other, and I told them: ‘Thank you because I had fun.’
So Castaldo is beginning to change his tune. Will other members of the press do the same. Don’t hold your breath!
After the first interview, the guy’s left Radio 2 and immediately went to meet Fiorello. You had to know this would be fun.

Of course, Fiorello said they had to sing. And what do they sing? What they sing every time they meet Fiorello. Their old go to Sicilian song ~ Tirichitolla.

As always the guys had fun with Fiorello!

Ignazio: I would say let’s spin the wheel and see what comes out.
Piero: Tell us about a Horror date.
Gianluca: When I met them for the first time in my life.  Alright guys, let’s move on.
Piero: Dance….nooooo
Gianluca:  But we don’t know how to dance.
Ignazio: I’ll show you.
Gianluca: Well done, well done, better if you sing!
Gianluca: Tell us about a surprise you loved giving or receiving.
Unexpectedly at the station, as soon as she gets off the train, you wait for her there with a rose in your hand…nice. 
Piero: I don’t like surprises, neither giving them nor receiving them.
Gianluca: Can you tell us the worst joke you’ve ever suffered?
Piero: In Bologna I faked a burglary at home, I called my brother, he left work, came home and it was a joke.
I’ll let you imagine what happened.
Ignazio: You’re an asshole! 
Gianluca: How you love to show affection to others.
Ignazio: Gianluca bothering me.
Gianluca: Yes, I hug, pinch, kiss, I’m very carnal.
PIero: I dedicate the song Capolavoro.
Ignazio: He dedicates it and I sing it.
Piero: Can I do the last one? Tell us about a trip you loved taking. Guys, everyone go to Japan, it’s the best trip you can do in your life.
Ignazio: It will also be a little strange for those who go for the first time because the sushi tastes completely different from what we are used to.
The first time I thought the people had fallen asleep at the concert, but instead they were attentive. 
Someone backstage says he’s going to Japan in March.
Piero: In March? We’re going in March too.
You saw, he said he’s changing the date.
Gianluca: If there’s a flight I won’t go! 

But getting back to their performance. They followed Capolavoro with Who Wants to Live Forever.

Talk about a phenomenal performance. Together with guitarist, Stef Burns, the guys gave a version of Who Wants to Live Forever that even Queen would envy! When I heard what they were going to sing I had visions of a performance that would bring the house down! I was right to some degree! It certainly brought my house down!
When they performed Who Wants to Live Forever, it was flawlessly executed. They were being evaluated for their performance. These are the words of one of the journalist…
Il Volo’s “Who Wants To Live Forever” with Stef Burns: on the singing level they are, as always, impeccable. But there always remains that musical feel that doesn’t fit well with the tastes of the contemporary world. They always seem out of time. Rating 6.5.
So, I must raise the question, did the journalists and radio stations fail to recognize the mastery displayed in their performance? And, in the case of televoting, some switchboards did not meet the evening’s demands, leading to the unfortunate scenario where the votes of numerous fans were not accurately represented.
If the switchboard didn’t fail, would there have been a different result! I certainly think so! As to the press, the above comment says it all. You’re great but you’re not getting our vote! I think that sums up the press!
Their performance of Capolavoro and Who Want to live Forever certainly were the highlight of Sanremo even if the journalist refuse to recognize it!
The last night of Capolavoro!

Click here to view the final performance

For me Sanremo 2024 was all about Il Volo. As I said in the beginning it doesn’t mean you win because of you are Il Volo but, in truth, Il Volo was the winner for so many people! Their performance was unsurpassed. They were the highlight of Sanremo 2024 and that’s why they are A Masterpiece!
As to my feeling about last week. I think every performance, every interview, every photo taken was A Masterpiece! They brought joy to our lives and gave us moments that will live in our hearts forever. They were Sanremo 2024!

Before I close, let me quote from Capolavoro!

Truly!
You were the only light
to make sense
And this life with you
It’s a Masterpiece!

You are our Masterpiece!

Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and bring to you the next exciting adventure of Il Volo.

Capolavoro is available on all digital platforms including Spotify and Amazon Music

Who Wants to Live Forever is available on all digital platforms including Spotify and Amazon Music
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 and don’t forget to visit the Archives.
Credit to owners of all photos and videos

 

14 thoughts on “A Masterpiece by Susan De Bartoli”

  1. Hubo momentos para mi muy tristes, incómodos, y en los que senti impotencia por no poder contestar las bobadas de esos periodistas y muchas veces rabia por las opiniones de los Vendedores de kiosko ,momentos irrespetuosos para olvidar.
    !!!!Pero lo único que no puedo olvidar y además que debo resaltar, es La Inteligencia, Nobleza, Gallardia y Benevolencia, con la que supieron sacar adelante la actitud agria e inexplicable de alguna prensa. Son Campeones totales en Talento, Profesionalismo, lealtad, amor fraterno. ; además en Nobleza y Elegancia, propias de gente Inteligente, superior y con clase.
    Bellísimos momentos,ellos hacen de cada ocasión algo inolvidable,dejan marca indeleble en cada Corazón en cada oído, en cada alma, en cada Lugar en cada escenario en cada ciudad, No hay ahora en el público Italiano,en el de San Remo, en el del mundo y en especial en sus rendidisimos seguidores, una canción más pegada al alma como “” CAPOLAVORO.”””, y con ella también cada gesto, cada abrazo, cada toquesito acerbo (que sí los hubo), cada palabra, cada opinión, cada celebración, cada armonía, y todo el talento de Todos y cada uno de ellos.
    !!Admiración cariño respeto desde Colombia.

  2. Thank you so much for all this information and photos and videos. IL VOLO are truly a MASTERPIECE! ❤️🎉🎶🇦🇺

  3. Does anyone know if they are planning to come to the USA this year? It seems their bookings are already through November. They usually let us know by now.

  4. Good to see you back, Susan. Yes, that was truly a fiasco at San Remo but our Il Volo are resilient and know that isn’t the “end all” of their performances. Although, it may be because they’re worn out, but they don’t look too happy in some of their photos. Give it time and “this, too will pass”. Hugs, Dol.

  5. I think Gianluca said (and I am paraphrasing) that you have to try harder things, push yourself, and that’s when you grow as an artist. That was more than a paraphrase — it’s how I feel about Il Volo’s attitude. They did look unhappy, but I know they let it roll off their shoulders. They know they are loved, and we don’t care what the journalists and the radio people say or do. We love them, they have God-given talent, and as far as I am concerned They are winners!

  6. Susan this was a great article but I still think they should have come in first place they were amazing at San Remo their voices make my heart melt thank you for sharing this story with us love Jenny

  7. Hi Susan,
    Since you are fluent in Italian, could you tell me what Stampa Casa means? I’m trying to buy a ticket to see the guys in Italy, but Ticketmaster is only in Italian. Seems like those words should be obvious, but I’d like to be sure. Grazie mille for the post and your help!

  8. Susan!! – what a beautiful soul you are – you are so very loyal to Piero – Ignazio & Gianluca the same way Daniela & Pat are these boys are so fortunate to have such profound loyalty from such beautiful ladies – I loved your heartfelt quotes at the end of your editorial – very spiritual – I did not focus too much on Sanremo because I felt they were already winners with or without Sanremo – great exposure for the boys though I love the cover of Vanity Fair with the boys all in black very chic – very creative – I think Giorgio Armani may have had a hand in looking after the boys apparel – I love the Art side of their presentations -they are stunning – thank you once again for uplifting us all & have a happy week – much love.

  9. Hi Susan, Another great article. True jounalism takes research and presenting the truth. Lets give the press some truth, first off how many of the entertainers at Sanremo will still be entertaining us in 15 years, how many of them have a resume that includes singing for the Pope and how many can say that they sell out their concerts in every country? The Italian press is shallow and won’t give credit to three talented guys who advocate Italy with their love of country through their music. How sad is that? Tell the press come see me in 15 years and tell me who from Sanremo 2024 turned out to be one hit wonders. Il Volo’s performance at Sanremo was outstanding and regardless of the outcome, they will continue to share with us the masterpiece that is Il Volo.

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