This morning, I sat at my desk and said, “what are you going to write about this week.” Since I was already two days behind schedule, I figured I better decide quickly.

Life can be hectic at times! It seems the last few months have been hectic for me, but I must say it’s been even more hectic for the guys! Sanremo, new songs, many interviews! A never-ending day.  It seems these last three months the guys have worked endlessly! And what beautiful results they are showing us for all their work. At this point everything that needed to be said about Sanremo has been said. We love Capolavoro and we anxiously await the new album. So, for a while we need to sit back and savor what we have and wait for what’s new to arrive.

Well, that’s all well and good but it still didn’t resolve my problem about what I will write about this week.

So, I got myself a cup of coffee and went on Instagram to see what was going on. As you know, my stories are Through the Fields of My Mind, so they have to be old stories made new. The first story I came to was by Il Volo en Clase, They’re following the guys at a Press Conference about the concerts for “Pompei e arte.” The event was held at the Italian Ministry of Culture and the event began with Makari, the theme song Ignazio wrote for the series “Makari.” So, I thought, the story I wrote about their song Makari was such a wonderful story about Ignazio, why not write about that this week.

In my original story I wrote, “Sometimes I feel like I spend every day of my life writing about Ignazio!” Now that has changed because the guys are so busy doing new things that they equally take up my time.

But there was a time when because of all his projects I sometimes would write two and three stories a week about Ignazio, wearing many different hats. Entertainer, Lyricist, Manager, Entrepreneur! The amazing thing about it is, I could never get enough of him! Ignazio for all that he did every day he would live in mind. I tried to find stories about Piero and Gianluca but they didn’t do what Ignazio did, so it was always back to Ignazio.

With fictional characters, the writer develops the character but, when you’re writing about real people, you come to a point where you are in their minds, and you feel their passions and emotions! We all know about Ignazio’s passions and emotions! Every song he sings is full of them.

So how did I come to hear about Makari? As usual, it was Daniela Perani who made me aware that something new was going on. She sent me a video that said Màkari and I wondered what is this about? And then I clicked on it and heard Ignazio’s beautiful voice and I thought when did Ignazio record this? That’s when I realized it was a new series on Rai1 and Il Volo will be singing the theme song. And if that wasn’t enough, I learned Ignazio wrote the theme song. Ignazio, do you ever sleep?

Ignazio, I remember at the time you had told us you had many surprises for us. Makari obviously was the collaboration with Rai1 you were talking about. But of course, we never know when there is another surprise in store! We can only hope!

But, truthfully, who better to write a song about Sicily and the region of Trapani than a native child! No, Ignazio wasn’t born in Sicily but, for Italians, who your parents are is who you are so, in fact, Ignazio is Sicilian.

It amazes me that the young boy who went to Sicily kicking and screaming when he was ten, became the spokesman for Marsala, around the world, and now for the region of Trapani. Ignazio came to embrace the land of his parents and he loves all the wonders of Sicily.

Sicily is different than Italy. Yes, I know Sicily is Italy but, how the Sicilians live and, who they are is very different. Ignazio’s song invites us to take a better look at this other land in the south. It speaks of “a land of sages and a land of fools, made from devils and saints.” Yes, that’s what Sicily is! They honor their saints while keeping their superstitions!

Ignazio invites you to live a new reality through his eyes. He invites us to see a different side of Sicily through his beautiful theme song, Màkari.

Ignazio begins his video by explaining to us his experience of Sicily as seen through his eyes. “It is a Sicily as told by a twenty-five year old who lived Sicily through stories, through images!”

This song speaks volumes! Where did the words of this song come from? Ignazio’s heart! There is something very mysterious about the song. Besides the fact that it speaks of a land as seen through Ignazio’s eyes.

In the following video, Ignazio joins Claudio Gioè, the star of the series Makari.

Ignazio: Hello everyone, I will start by saying that I am and we are really happy to be part of this project because it tells of our Sicily and therefore we are Sicilians. And it is a landscape that they are used to seeing in every stable. Personally, I have many friends in San Vito Lo Capo when I can I always count on the opportunity to go and stay in that land for a while. Well, we’re happy because I had the opportunity to tell my Sicily view with one of my songs. It’s told through images and by my grandparents and family. It’s a song that speaks of a true and sad truth, of devils and saints, of wise men and astray ones and that when you come to Sicily you cry twice, when you arrive and when you leave. I want to compliment Claudio Gioè. It was fantastic. His art in telling it is mine. Greetings to everyone who was part of this fiction and best wishes.

Claudio: Hello everyone, from the height of their global popularity. Truly they (IL Volo) have always maintained this great humility and I thank them very much. I give them many compliments.

Ignazio’s words allow us to see Sicily through tradition, home and love!

In a video, Ignazio talks about the summers he spent in S. Vito Capo in the landscape of Màkari. What is it that draws him back year after year? Is it the “silence” of the land that screams for you to open your eyes and look around at the wonder of the landscape or, the traditions of the land that go deep into your soul? It seems to Ignazio Màkari is joy and love and so he will never forget it! And what does that say! Simple! This is Ignazio’s story!!! His story of Sicily, the land he left to pursue his dream and the land he is drawn back to time and again.

Think about the words of the song! Is Ignazio talking about the writer who leaves his home and returns after a long period of time or the entertainer who travels the world? The similarities in his life and the life of the writer are striking, that’s why he was able to write such an emotional song! I feel like Ignazio wrote the song and then they made the show. His words are very enticing, they pull you into the story. They tell all there is to know and, Ignazio tells us a story, through the imagery of his words!

I believe a good part of the success of the show has to do with the theme song!

The mystery of it all is the relationship Ignazio has with this land! Having become a part of this land at the age of ten, it is amazing to me that Ignazio developed this great bond with Sicily. Yes, Bologna is his home but, Sicily is the place he comes home to!!!

Ignazio says, “it is an honor to talk about my Sicily through a fiction that tells the truth of this Sicily.” Ignazio loves that through all the mysteries and mystique of the program, the show speaks of love, which is something that he loves and, he loves that that love is combined with yellow (mysteries)!

Sicily is amazing for Ignazio because it’s different for him every time. He sees a Sicily that is always offering something new while being a part of something old. Always remembering what was while looking forward to what will be! This speaks to Ignazio’s soul!

Ignazio’s thoughts and emotions are everywhere in this song. In the interview with Inga and Claudio Gioè, Ignazio reminds us of his words, in the song, about His Sicily. “Whoever comes to Sicily, cries twice,” (once when you arrive and, once when you leave). I think that sums up Ignazio’s feelings for Sicily.” I think the words of this song will be on the lips of everyone for many years to come! A Classic!

The final verse of the song is sung by Ignazio with a few beautiful words in Sicilian and he is accompanied by a classical guitar. “Sing louder but do it in silence because here no one hears us, sees us. This is a story a little curious, a little grumpy, it speaks to me of love. For traditions, for my roots, Màkari is home and my heart sings for you!”  These are emotional words, very touching!

In a video, Gianluca and Piero expressed their feelings about the project. Gianluca said, “I have anxiety waiting for this moment, so I renew my congratulations to everyone for this great project and we are delighted to be part of it.”

We, also, learned something very interesting in this video. We now know what everyone’s plans are for the future! Gianluca says, he would love to be an actor. I always thought he would be a model. He certainly has the body and looks for it! But who knows maybe he will show up in one of the episodes of Màkari? And Piero the sweetheart that he is, told us how proud he is of Ignazio and how happy he is to be a part of this project! Piero, all of us are very happy that all of you are embarking on this new adventure together!

One final thought! Ignazio’s words in the song call out to many people to express his feelings on many matters! I would like to go back to those last words of the song so that you can listen very carefully to Ignazio words! “Sing louder but do it in silence because here no one hears, sees us.”  Think about it!

Màkari we’ve been waiting for you!

What an amazing song! Ignazio as usual you took my breath away, not just with your voice but with your beautiful words. No doubt they were from the heart. They truly hit home! They so speak of where your heart is! And from the bottom of my heart I say, thank you for the song and thank you guys for the beautiful delivery!

Ignazio, this story may be old but writing about you never gets old. You are a phenomenal entertainer and composer. I see a wonderful future for you!

The English words for Makari

You know how many times I’d like to leave

from this land of devils and saints

but Màkari is home, it’s joy and pain

this is my land.

Land of Wise Men and Land of Fools

of people who take heart, take it and give it!

Whoever comes to Sicily, cries twice!

Màkari is my home.

This is a story a little curious, a little grumpy,

it speaks to me of love.

For traditions, for my roots,

but Màkari is home, and the heart sings for you.

Sing louder, but do it in silence,

because here no one hears us, sees us,

but Makari is home, it is joy and pain,

Màkari I do not forget, I forget no more.

This is a story a little curious, a little grumpy,

it speaks to me of love.

For traditions, for my roots,

but Màkari is home and the heart sings for you.

The guys’ new album Ad Astra will be released on March 29, 2024. Available For Pre-Order NOW! It’s 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 http://www.ilvoloflightcrw.com and don’t forget to visit the Archives.

Credit to owners of all photos and videos.