As you all know, on 31 August and 1 September the two Il Volo television concerts were held in Agrigento and will be broadcast, the first at Christmas on Canale 5 and the second broadcast by the PBS television network.
As I had already announced to you, a friend had sent the request to participate via fan club and obtained the confirmation letter, so she left Canada for Sicily.
Thus began Judith’s journey (not without problems), and when I asked her to write her impressions of the two evening and this was her response:
“I’ll do my best to take some photos and make notes on anything that might interest you. I tend to get lost in my own musical world, but at least one is a show in English. I’ll be able to understand.”
“I take a flight from Chicago to Munich and then to Palermo, then a train or car as close as possible to my hotel in San Leone (near Agrigento) and then I try to get to the concerts. I have a friend who will take me to the concerts from my hotel.”
Already on the plane Judith wrote me beautiful words that are the story of many of us, words that come from the heart and that you absolutely must read. ❤️
“I have no idea what time it is. Outside the plane window it is dark and inside most are asleep and the lights are low. Thinking about it, it’s incredible what some of us, actually many of us, do for an Il Volo concert or to support what we have come to know and love in these few years of Il Volo. Many of us fly all night through strange airports and cities, strange towns and train stations, strange streets and trust strange taxi drivers to take us to strange hotels, whose language we don’t speak, all to enjoy those two hours of music, fun, passion and friends. Some can afford it and some can’t, but those moments of joy listening to the voices of the “kids” make us dream listening to their beautiful voices that take us elsewhere, somewhere deep in our hearts and dreams. My eyes are closed, lost in those moments of beauty. For me, all the frustrations and uncertainty of unknown long-distance destinations absolutely fill my heart when the lights go down, the music starts and Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio take the stage!”
It wasn’t easy for Judith, who arrived in San Leone (a hamlet of Agrigento on the sea) in the evening, in the dark and immediately realized that her accommodation was far from everything, not only from the Valley of the Temples where the concerts were held, but also from the beautiful walk by the sea of San Leone, and from all the shops and restaurants and she hadn’t eaten anything yet and the hunger was making itself felt.
After eating a couple of Sicilian cannoli which Judith found really good, she managed to sleep at night and wait for the first concert on August 31st, the Christmas-themed one which will be broadcast by Canale 5 at Christmas.
“Judith with her friends, ready for the concert, so much elegance.”
August 31st Christmas concert for Canale 5
Last night was very strange. It was a difficult location, but the stage was set up beautifully. What a fantastic location. I can’t tell you much about the show, we and the fan club group were sitting on the far right. Where we couldn’t see the stage, we couldn’t see the orchestra. All were tall, built on a high platform, here are a couple of photos so you can understand better.
There were guards patrolling everywhere to make sure we didn’t take out our cell phones or cameras, and they were diligent every time I took out my phone to take a photo.
The people in the fan clubs weren’t sitting in a good position and the stage sets were built so high with the barrier around it and from where we were sitting, there wasn’t a good view of the whole thing.
We couldn’t see the orchestra or the two big Christmas trees.
A very confusing night for everyone, there weren’t many people, maybe 800. I don’t know and since there was such a small entrance when they finally opened the small door to let us in (it was closed until 7:45 and it was very hot), for getting 800 people in took a long time. To get to the stage the road was really narrow. There was a shuttle that you could pay for to travel a little distance, if you wore high heels you were straight away in trouble. The road (plus a wide path) was made up of rocks of all sizes, nothing asphalted and it was very, very difficult and, of course, holding each other’s arms to be able to walk, and, after a long walk up the hill, when we arrived, there were so many barriers of cameras and lighting crews that it was not possible to see a lot around. We managed to move in the rows more up, but from the photos you can see that we were under the stage and under everyone. But we were in the corner of the stage where the boys were performing, thank goodness!
The boys weren’t wearing Christmas clothes, they were dressed in dark suits, perhaps black, with some sequins on the jackets, very elegant. No one person had winter clothes, there was a lot of elegance, but no winter clothes, one lady had a fur hat. There were two large trees, as you can see from the photos, and may have had other decorations too, but we couldn’t see them. And it was a Christmas show in theory it was filmed outdoors. It was an interesting location for the Christmas show because you could see it was a hot, warm night and the wind was blowing, but people were still in sleeves and how they would rig that Christmas show is beyond me, some people still wore sleeveless t-shirts and tops.
The concert started on time and the guys, as always, were at the top. They were professional as always, they were friendly, they communicated, they told jokes, they sang their songs better than anyone ever could. Of course the songs were mostly Christmas themed. The orchestra was good, the little known songs were great and the first half or more of the show was very good. There were a lot of standing ovations, a lot of applause and a lot of appreciation for their music.
At a certain point between one song and another there began to be huge gaps and the boys were waiting, walking back and forth, then Ignazio said something that I didn’t understand, and he went to the back of the stage, Gianluca told him I went behind to talk to him. Finally they returned to the front and said to the master: Master, as if we were ready, let’s go.
Everything after that was calmer, the music was wonderful as always.
Come to think of it, some of these gaps in the music may have been due to the TV show’s film crew blocking everything.
I learned a little lesson and I don’t think I’ll ever go to a TV-produced concert again. Too many things can go wrong and it’s not about the music. It’s about the show. I think Morricone’s concert in Verona was the best production I have ever seen. It was very well produced, organized, very well planned, excellent music, singing dancers, everything. It was the best on every level.
The guys were fantastic and their voices were exceptional: Gianluca singing “Music of the Night” was a spectacle!
I think as I watch Gianluca more and more, he’s a passionate old soul. He is so kind he is so empathetic and supportive. I actually watched him a lot last night because I could only see them and nothing else in the corner of the stage, and he constantly watches Piero and Ignazio for their reactions when things aren’t going well, he seems to protect them and care about their mood. He supports them.
I remember that at the beginning of the meeting and greetings with them, Gianluca held my hand because I was nervous and he smiled. He listens, watches and cares deeply. I know that every time I approach him in the meet and greet he looks me in the eyes calmly as if he sees me and he does this with everyone. He’s a good man. ❤️
September 1 concert for PBS
I’m sorry for my limited photos, but both PBS and the Italian TV crew were relentless and aggressive in preventing us from filming. I’m sorry I couldn’t capture more.
I wanted to tell you that I think tonight’s concert was fantastic, exceptional. For me there wasn’t enough English, only when filming the PBS parts. However, their voices, their arrangements, their passion, the delivery and their energy were amazing.
Ignazio sang “Memories”, the favorite representation of his vocal range, and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
Gianluca showed his, again a powerful, rich voice, singing “Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera, as well as an Elvis Presley favorite that I can’t remember right now.
I would like to have the titles of the songs or their program to help you understand better, but I don’t have this information, sorry.
In truth, the musical choices were a combination of a little bit of pop, but a little bit of opera, a little bit of their Belcanto. In every song they sang, they gave everything. For the Italian press to belittle them is simply unfathomable. They did an English version of their latest song and I’d say overall the night was … unlike the highly organised, highly successful and musically stunning first night. They also introduced new songs that I had never heard before, but they were very positive and definitely a crowd pleaser. I definitely want to listen to the new songs again, definitely! 🥰
Piero Ignazio and Gianluca wore dark suits, but the jackets had no glitter.
People were still elegant but with more colors and less formal and women had abandoned their heels, given the early evening. 😣 The Christmas trees and Christmas decorations were obviously no longer there. 😉
The concert started on time and the energy and anticipation was palpable throughout the audience. Once again the songs were a mix of bel canto, pop opera and classical, with songs from their previous concerts.
However, the introduction of the new songs was electric. Their choices were exceptional and for many moments during the show there was not a cough or a sound except for each magnificent voice that filled the sky and the stars. That night was magical. After every song the audience went crazy, but no one got up and I don’t know why. During the concert, the songs were projected onto a screen at the end of each row of seats and during some English-language presentations for PBS, the words were written on the screen (like the teleprompter).
A funny moment, Gianluca was reading the script on screen for the PBS audience and came across an English word that he couldn’t pronounce. He kept trying to say it.
The word was “transcend.” Nobody helped him and in the end I shouted the word and Gianluca repeated it correctly.
After I gave Gianluca the correct pronunciation, Piero shouted: “Who are you?”
Ignazio said: “But it’s her!” (he didn’t remember my name).
Piero replied: “But who are you? I can’t see anything with this light.”
Ignazio: “Canada” (they know me as the redhead from Canada), and my friend shouted: “Giuditta!”
The kids recognized me because the lights were now on me!!
It was a very fun time.
Another strange thing, later, towards the end of the show, one of the PBS film crew members came to my row and seemed to be pointing the camera at me and recording, I don’t know why. That remains to be seen, I guess. Maybe I’ll be at the cinema soon!
The first evening I had two women next to me, two women from Sweden, the second evening two women from Japan.
When the three guys weren’t announcing their songs or speaking to the PBS audience, they were constantly interacting with the audience, in Italian, of course, which was great. There was a lot of laughter, a lot of applause, a lot of feeling part of the Il Volo family.
All three boys were kind and playful that night, and it was one of their best concerts. It didn’t last long. The concert ended at 11.00 pm, it surprised me.
Just when we thought it was all over, the boys came back on stage and sang Masterpiece in English, a first for me and their fans!!! ❤️
The staff let us out around 11, although it wasn’t over for PBS or the film crew who may have had to repeat some songs because they called back the guys and the orchestra that remained after we all left.
Thank you, Judith, for the nice review of your participation in the two concerts. You were very thorough and your photos are beautiful, considering that you were certainly not in a good position and that the security was inflexible.
I’ve been to the Valley of the Temples and reading your words made me feel like I was there with you.
The setting was certainly unique and fantastic and I hope that the television representation lives up to this Christmas event.
I also think that the crews were different for the two events and perhaps for this reason the second concert went better. We will see the final results on TV.
Thanks again for your writing, Judith!!🥰
Now you of Flight Crew must know that these two concerts had a lot of problems from the usual Italian press. Many articles have reported misrepresented or exaggerated news, but I will talk about this in detail in the next post.🤬
Meanwhile, I conclude this nice review with some beautiful photos taken by some people present at the concerts.
Credit to owners of all photos.
Thank you so much for the beautiful description of the concert. Alas I will never be able to travel for a concert as I am 84 years and having treatment for cancer. But I can “see” through your eyes, and can listen to their beautiful voices.
Maureen, I pray that your treatments are successful and you will one day be cancer free! A big hug to you! ❤️😊
Maureen, I also join in the prayers of Pat and all of us at Flight Crew, that your treatment goes well. In the meantime, we continue to offer you everything that can make you feel close to Il Volo!! A hug 🥰
Hello Maureen: I am pleased you responded and I understand the limitations some go through. I also have limitations but my determination pushes through. Best wishes with your cancer treatments and, while I am more limited on the number of concerts I am able to attend, I do hope I am able to meet you at a night of “Il Volo” in future. Judith
Danke Judith für den ausführlichen Kommentar. Und danke Daniela für die perfekte Übersetzung. 🥰
Vielen Dank, Isolde, für deine Komplimente. Ja, Judith war eine gute Reporterin. 🥰
Thank you Isolde for your compliments, yes Judith was a good reporter.🥰
Hello Isolde: Thank you for the compliment and I hope to see you again at a concert this fall.
Judith
Thank you, Judith, Daniela and Pat. I am looking forward to seeing the PBS Special. I love PBS, where I saw IL VOLO for the first time back in 2013.
You’re most welcome, Patrizia! 😊
I have to say Patrizia that we are all waiting for the PBS special because we too here in Italy hope to be able to see it.
Hello Patrizia:
I am pleased you enjoyed the post and I also only discovered those many years ago, the first Il Volo concert on PBS. It is how i discovered “the boys” and thereafter, Italy and many other countries and cities beyond for more concerts.
They do bring joy to our lives, eh?
Judith
Thank you Daniela and Judith and Pat! You traveled a long and somewhat difficult journey just to see our boys! I think attending a TV production show would be strange and kind of manipulated, I’m so glad you really were able to enjoy it anyway and the second show seemed like fun. You must have made quite an impression on all three and Gianluca appreciated your help with pronunciation….he’s usually very good at that! He is the kindest man, you can see it in his eyes….did you just want to faint when he looked into your eyes? I think I might! I can not wait to hear him sing “THE MUSIC IF THE NIGHT”, it’s perfect for him!
Bravo for you braving the travel and unexpected terrain at the concert, it would definitely not be for someone my age! I’m envious!! Pat the photos are beautiful and Daniela, thank you again for all your work! Judith this comment was mostly for you, where in Canada are you from? I’m from Fl. And Ct.(summers) and I have friends from Toronto. Hoping we might meet at a concert in the US someday.
This was enjoyable ladies thank you again.
Love and admiration, Carol💖💖💖🎼🎤🙏☮️😘🤗❤️❤️❤️
You’re welcome, Carol! 🙂
What can I say Carol, despite the difficulties I think Judith had two good evenings and when there is a television broadcast it is easy for something to be repeated and not everything always goes smoothly.
The song from “The Phantom of the Opera” is special for a sensitive person like Gianluca. All the photos before the final comment are taken by Judith and I must say she was also a good photographer, what do you say Carol?
Absolutely! I loved Judith’s story, the lengths we will go to see our boys! The photos were great, so appreciative of the people who are at the concerts to bring us there too! 💛💙💜🎼🎤🙏☮️
You’re right. Even with the production difficulties that must happen more often than not when filming for a TV show, being at an Il Volo concert and experiencing the joy of their voices with friends around us as well as so many new friends from around the world, is always an unforgettable experience — memorable and exciting.
Thank you, Daniela
Hello Carol: Sorry to respond so late. I was having trouble with my Facebook sign on — or, I’m just slow!
I’m from Toronto and Windsor in Ontario. I have seen Il Volo in Canadian concerts and will again next year when they return to Canada and the U.S. I’ve also seen them at many U.S. concerts. Always, always their music, their voices, their personalities make me happy and take me away from any negativity in the world for those moments or days. I am going to some concert this fall but definitely the Canada and U.S. concerts. Maybe we’ll meet. I’ll be the Canadian redhead as close to the front row as possible. My theory — if I am going to travel that far or make so much effort to see “the boys”, I want to be close enough to see and hear!
Judith
Thank you for writing the undeniable presence of faith, your vivid illustrations, and the profound impact of the concert I believe was with divine intervention. However, our language skills can open an opportunity to tackle diverse situations that require linguistic versatility. I also love Il Volo so much and if I could only afford to follow them at every concert, I really would. I will wait for my beautiful Il Volo to have a concert in Hawaii and I am sure that with careful planning and realistic expectations, I can navigate the high cost of living in Honolulu and enjoy all that this tropical paradise has to offer. Of course, the paradise includes Il Volo, my favorite group in the world with a heartful of love and inspiration, I stand with you guys with hope and love ALWAYS! I am Fortune.
Nati, if we could all follow Il Volo wherever Il Volo goes, but this is not possible and it is fantastic that Piero, Iganzio and Gianluca come to give concerts around the world, so as to allow many of us to be able to see them, hear them and meet. I hope they come to Hawaii soon too. 😉
Thanks, Judith (and Daniela and Pat) for sharing both the difficulties and the rewards of seeing the guys live in Italia. I still haven’t taken the plunge, even though I go there every year or so. I saw a video of Gian’s Music of the Night on Instagram, and it was magnificent–he has finally found his showstopper. And yes, when he looks into your eyes (meet and greet) you feel he sees your soul.
Can’t wait to see these two specials!
I have to agree, Gianluca has found his show stopper with The Music of the Night! I have watched it over and over again from the opening note to his wonderful bow 🙇!
The emotion, the love, his soul and his presence on the stage is so special, I can’t find the words! Did I mention SEXY , I not dead yet! If our eyes meet in Canada, I will die of shock! Finally, his eyes ….. sigh ❤️
Those eyes is right, Sheila! The first time I saw Gianluca’s eyes in one of his pictures my first thought was “bedroom eyes”! That’s what my Mom always called eyes like that. His are a unique shade of brown or hazel….they seem to change with the light. It was the day after my birthday when I met the guys at my M&G in Chicago. I asked for a birthday hug from each one of the guys – Ignazio, then Piero and then Gianluca last. After the hug he turned to me, looked right into my eyes and said, “Buon Compleanno!” I about died! I don’t remember a whole lot after that! I know one thing, I’ll never forget his kindness to me. 😍🥰😃
Sheila, I finally heard the song full length this morning! I too listened over and over…..your description is dead on….soooo magnificent and as for the sex appeal, who could resist…. I’m not dead yet either!!😉💖
SEXY I totally agree Sheila 💖
You’re very welcome, Judi! 😊
Judy, that song sung by Gianluca……wow, it makes us all dream, he put his whole heart into his interpretation. We hope that the videos do full justice to this interpretation of his! .😍
Hello Judi: Thank you for responding. I’m sorry you have not yet “taken the plunge” but I also don’t know where you live. For me, since I saw their first appearance on PBS and found out they were singing in Italy, I decided I was going! I was alone, the boys were just 15 and16 or so, I knew no one and could not speak Italian but I navigated through cities I had never heard of, booked planes and trains and accommodations right away. The best investment of my time ever. Each time you attend a concert, you will think this one is their best ever, you will close your eyes and be taken to a lovely place and experience the energy, passion and personalities of three amazing and unique singers. Do it for yourself if possible. I hope to see you at an Il Volo concert!
Judith
Thank you for that beautiful story, I enjoyed every moment. It seems like it was not easy getting in however you enjoyed their wonderful concert. My wish has always been where you were that nite, but my health would not let me travel that far. Thank you for letting.me experience all these wonderful stories. Enjoy your day. I have been a fan for 15.years.
Gail I’m sure Judith, despite her problems enjoyed both evenings and was happy to be where she was. 🤩
I was super lucky and won the fan ticket for Xmas concert too. Have a bit different experiance about sits. We had good view, a bit far from stage, but frontal position. In addition we sat among family and friends. Just next to us ware Michele and Ercole, than Katherina and Nina. We felt like one, big il Volo family.
Alicja I can’t believe it, you were there!!! You are always there… or rather, you are always where Il Volo is 😁and this time you were also among relatives and managers, how lucky!!! I’m so happy for you Alicja 😍😘
Alicja: I am envious of your seating situation during the concert for the Italian TV station. It is funny that those of us on the side never could see the stage or orchestra and only discovered at the end of the show that the singers were live. We were low enough to not be able to see any of it. However, with the boys singing just in front of us on the corner, we were very happy (and lucky). How can any of us feel like we’re missing anything when we are seeing an Il Volo concert under the stars or any concert hall? I enjoyed every moment and was happy to make the trip to be there. As long as my health holds out, I will be at whatever concert I can travel to! The “boys” are a “once in a lifetime” very special gift!
I hope to meet you in future.
Judith
Vielen Dank für diesen wunderbaren Bericht. Als ich zwischen 30 und 40 Jahre alt war, habe ich für meinen damaligen Schwarm auch weite Touren durch einige Länder und Städte, auch zu Fernsehaufnahmen, gemacht. Ich bin froh, das alles erlebt zu haben und eine tolle Fangemeinde kennengelernt zu haben. Il Volo kenne ich erst seit 9 Monaten. Sie kommen sogar nach Deutschland. Früher wäre ich auch nach Italien gereist. Aber wenn man sich nicht mehr auf seine Gesundheit verlassen kann, muss man sich damit abfinden. Ich lerne seit einem halben Jahr Italienisch und kann die Lieder und auch die Jungen immer besser verstehen. So komme ich ihnen gefühlt näher. Ich spreche mit ihnen in Gedanken und stelle mir vor, was sie mir antworten würden. Mehr kann ich nicht machen, aber durch die Sprache fühle ich mich ihnen nahe. Das ist auch ein schönes Gefühl. Hoffentlich habe ich die Möglichkeit, die beiden Konzerte im Internet zu sehen.
Vielen Dank nochmal für den Bericht und die Fotos.
Ursula
Ursula, wenn deine Gesundheit anstrengend ist, höre besser auf und Il Volo kommt trotzdem zu dir!
Die Videos dieser beiden Konzerte werden wir sicherlich auf die eine oder andere Weise zeigen können, bleiben Sie immer verbunden, es wird noch viel zu entdecken geben. 🥰
Ursula, when your health is tiring it’s better to stop and Il Volo will come near you anyway!
We will certainly be able to show the videos of these two concerts in one way or another, stay connected, there will be much more to discover. 🥰
Ich danke dir. Da freue ich mich sehr. Ich bin immer noch so froh, euch hier gefunden zu haben. Alles Liebe😘😘
Bonjour Daniela, je suis Canadienne française du Québec et je lis tout ce que vous écrivez sur les gars d’Il
Volo milles fois mercis!!!! Je cherche quand et où au Canada les gars viennent…avez-vous cette information? Encore une fois merci et bravo pour ton merveilleux travail toujours apprécié!!!!
Awesome account Judith. You really conveyed what most of us would feel attending concerts like these. Maybe these concerts were a little too “staged” but what a privilege! Worth the hardships I think.
I’ve been to see these wonderful Agrigento temples in the daytime (talk about hot!). Being there at night must have been really magical! The photos are beautiful.
Thank you ladies for sharing with us!
Sally, I think that even when Judith was there it was really hot in the Valley of the Temples, but certainly in the evening it was a more bearable temperature and I also think that Judith had a great privilege to attend these concerts, she It was a long journey, but I think it was worth it. 😉
Hello Sally: Thank you for responding. Yes, even though there were some difficulties with the production, they were corrected quickly and the show was, as always with the “boys” wonderful and worth every moment. I didn’t mean to convey any displeasure, just reporting what i had seen. For as long as I have traveled everywhere to see them in person (12 years now), I am stunned that no glitches appeared before and with electronics, it is surprising, However, bottom line, I am so pleased I was there for both nights. I will be there again whenever possible.
Thank you for responding and thank you for the compliment. I don’t know where you live but I feel we Il Volo lovers” have connected as family over these years of joy.
Thank you again,
Judith
Judith my friend, as soon as I heard Canada I knew it was you. I’m so glad you were there! I’ve been to Agrigento twice and it hot and walking was an issue for me at my age. You are one determined woman and nothing stops you when it involves our young men. I hope to see you in the USA next year. Thank you Daniela and Pat for another beautiful report.
RosaMarie, I was sure you understood that it was Judith. What do you say? She was good at exposing her feelings and a good reporter.
You’re right Judith is truly a very determined woman. I think you will see a lot of each other at next year’s concerts. 😍
You’re welcome, Rose Marie! 😊 I don’t deal well with the heat either.
Rose Marie: I am so very pleased to hear from you. I would have responded sooner but darn electronics and facebook, I just signed on (with my 7th password – yikes)! Yes, I enjoyed both concerts beautifully although the second concert (PBS) was more of their old and new songs – a spectacular night! I enjoyed absolutely every moment! I was and believe you will be, mesmerized by their new songs and their even more powerful voices. Their mix of Opera, Pop and more just keeps you going and wanting more.
Agrigento is amazing and I would like to go again to see and wander those beautiful concerts and more of Italy!
I will be at many of the concerts in Canada and the U.S. next year (health permitting) and I do hope to see you.
Judith
It is my goal to be able to see the boys in concert before I die. Right now I wouldn’t be able to do what Judith did because I am unable to walk any great or even short distances. Hopefully, that will be solved as soon as I have valve replacement surgery sometime early next year. I’m now 81 and I hope and pray that I can be accepted for the surgery this time instead of having another repair.
Enough about the difficulty I face, the guys are growing still. I do have a question though, what exactly is belcanto. I know I read its definition but have forgotten it since. I repeat the boys are continuing to grow and their voices reaching their apex! In a concert I watch repeatedly on YouTube I have to watch closely to see who is singing. Gianluca’s voice is most changed in my opinion. His baritone register is fuller, deeper and startlingly beautiful. I don’t know the name of the song he sings, but the hair on my neck stood up and I actually swooned. I’ve always said that my favorite one of the guys is the one who’s singing and that remains the case. I love that Piero added one of my favorite arias from Tosca to the repertoire but wish he would add the first tenor aria from the beginning of the opera. The painter sings about his love for the dark beautiful Tosca and always takes me away. Piero’s tenor voice has matured over the last few years and I think it’s at or near the best tenor voice of the age. I’ve heard Caruso, Lanza, Pinza, Pavarotti and the rest during my life (my parents had recordings of Caruso). I can’t not include Ignazio in my recognition of how his voice has matured. He’s always had a voice that was more mature than he was. I rewatch his Caruso at a competition where he wasn’t much older than 14 or 15. Today his voice is somewhat the same but with more volume . That doesn’t explain what I want to say and my knowledge is limited. I know he’s the one I’d like to hear sing with Queen. The group’s Sanremo offering of Queen took my breath away. I only wish Freddie was still alive to hear them.
I love Il Volo, as a group and as solo performers. I pray I get to hear them next year at a US concert where I won’t have to walk a long way or if I get the replacement surgery maybe that won’t matter anymore.
The meaning of BEL CANTO is operatic singing originating in 17th century and 18th century Italy and stressing ease, purity, and evenness of tone production and an agile and precise vocal technique. The Bel Canto-trained voice has a bell-like, ringing, and telling quality and carries throughout an auditorium without effort or amplification. Sing with great ease, freedom of expression, and beauty of tone. It is a practiced style of singing. Bel canto is supposed to be the quintessential way to sing opera. The style is associated with beautiful melodies, silvery voices and floods of rapid notes curling their way up and down the scale …
The “boys” studied well this style!
Judith
Judith, Have you read how many nice comments you have aroused with your beautiful report?
I know that you are very happy with the outcome and that everyone liked what you wrote to me.
Thanks for replying about bel canto and I really liked your final sentence “the boys have studied this style well”, I fully agree! 😘
Muriel, I loved your comments about the guys. You are spot on. I hope you are able to get your heart issue taken care of. I will pray that you have a successful valve replacement surgery! Sending a big hug to you.❤️
Dear Muriel, God Bless you, I’ll pray for the surgery you need and look forward to maybe seeing you at a NY concert along with all the other lovelies from Canada!💙😉🎼🙏
Muriel I wish you with all my heart that your valve will be replaced and everything will improve so you will be able to see Il Volo in person. Your age is not a problem. You described the improvements in Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca’s voices with great precision and competence, you are an excellent observer. As for bel canto, our reporter for the evening at the two concerts Judith answered you very well, thank you Judith. 🥰
Muriel:
Please let me add that I have, because of health issues, difficulties walking stairs and distances – my legs and my lung breathing issues, but I go through what I need to because the “boys” give me the joy to take me away from all of the difficulties in our world now. They are a joy, they are a positive distraction, they give me incredible memories and new friends from around the world. If your healing goes well, we’ll meet at a concert — the two “Old ladies” trying to move well. We have friends who will help if we need it!
Meet me there!
Judith
Thank you for your thoughts- it was almost like a “behind the scene” peak of how these shows are filmed. Very interesting!
So happy you were able to attend the Temple concerts, Judith. Your descriptions of the ups and downs of getting to see Il Volo there were not for the faint of heart. But, fan perseverance prevailed and the enjoyment of hearing and seeing them in person was well worth it, I’m sure.
I have photos of the site when I visited Sicily back in 2009 on a bus tour of Sicily and Italy by myself. Absolutely beautiful country and people, although the drive of the Amalfi coast was pretty scary!
Thanks again to you, Daniela and our Pat. Hugs, Dol. 🧡🧡
Dolores, I laugh thinking of you who perhaps had your eyes closed on the road on the Amalfi coast, I can’t blame you, when I was there I said to my husband who was driving:
“Look how beautiful, how wonderful” and he told me:
“I’ll watch the road or we’ll go down the slope!” 😂
For what Judith did you wrote well:
“The fans’ perseverance prevailed and the pleasure of hearing and seeing them in person was worth it,”
that’s just how Dolores is! 😉
You’re very welcome, Dolores! 😘
Hello Dol:
Problems with logging on slowed down my response but thank you for responding. Daniela is right — I feel that no minor issues with production problems on the Christmas taping for the Italian channel could dampen the beauty and joy of the moments in an Il Volo concert. The second night was absolutely spectacular with new songs, some songs from the past and so many surprises. The first night, even with a few issues, was truly worth it and I would relive it if I could!
I am hoping to attend as many as I can in Canada and the U.S. next year and truly any concerts in Italy — my new adoptive home since Il Volo introduced me to their country through their music!
I hope to meet you at one of them. Look for the redhead in the front row (If possible) or somewhere nearby!
Judith
Thank you to everyone who persevered through all of the challenges these concerts endured! Judith you deserve a special commendation from the boys for being a support for them above and beyond! I for one am praying for concerts in Canada (🇨🇦 Toronto, Vancouver) and I’ll be at them all! I’ll be first on my feet to applause and last to sit back down! Gianluca singing Magic in the Night is in fact his show stopper! It stops my heart for one 🥰 until the next issue, God Bless ilVoloflightcrw ❤️
Well done Sheila, Judith deserves praise for what she has done and these are the things our boys admire, the infinite love of their fans.
So the first person I’ll see getting up at concerts in Canada will be you, great!! 😄
Actually DANIELA I’m not sure I’ll be able to sit down! Guess I’ll have to show the guys how we do it in Canada – STAND ON OUR CHAIRS, without falling off! Maybe Gianluca can come and ask me to sit down before I faint!! LOL
I’ll try to behave ❤️
😂😂😂🥰
Bonjour Sheila je suis Canadienne aussi et du Québec je prie pour que Il Volo viennent au Québec …mais je crois pas au miracle….
Sheila:
Hello fellow Canadian: Thank you for the lovely words. I will admit that when I first saw them on the Detroit PBS TV station, I was enthralled. Without a man in my life at the time, working and with no children, when I saw they were performing at an Italian concert, I thought ‘ “yup, that’s me. I’m going”! I had never been to Italy, didn’t speak the language and no one to join me. Their voices at their young age (14 and 15 at the time?), the draw of Italy compelled me. For the first 5 years I went to concerts alone in countries I had not heard of but wide eyed (at my old age) and thrilled with each concert and each visit! Finally, new friends who had seen me (red hair generally in the first row) thought I should join them. I then joined their group of fellow Il Volo Lovers whom I value completely.
All this to say, we all have stories about our history of Il Volo but they are truly a once in a lifetime gift and yes, I will be at the Toronto concert and other Canadian concerts (maybe not Vancouver) and many U.S. concerts.
Maybe we will meet!
Did Inga get married
No, Blanche, Ignazio has not yet married !
Judith, I want to thank you for your amazing account of these two concerts with all the difficulties of even getting there! BRAVA! I’m so glad you yelled out “transcend” to Gianluca, I know I would have! 🤣 I’m also glad the guys recognized you. What fun!
Aw, Pat: Thank you. I watched Gianluca laughingly struggle and no one was helping him, he tried about 5 times so, while I was embarrassed to yell out, I did it anyway and it went from there. Belatedly, I enjoyed the responses. They know me as the Canadian redhead in the first row who is so shy when meeting them”. How can I be so in awe and shy when meeting each of them — but I am..! I am much too old and experienced but I never get over my shyness. Someday????
Maybe I’ll get to meet you sometime as well..
I read all you post. Thank you, Pat!
Judith
You’re most welcome, Judith, and I hope to meet you too one day. Maybe you’re not shy when you meet the guys but just star struck! 🤩 I sure was when I met them. Wow! 😍
Un gros Merci Daniela, Judith et Pat !
Merci Ginette pour tes compliments, je suis heureuse que tu te joignes à notre groupe du Québec. Pour l’instant il n’y a toujours pas de nouvelles sur la tournée 2025 d’Il Volo, dès que nous l’aurons nous la communiquerons immédiatement !!
Thank you Ginette for your compliments, I’m glad you joined our group from Quebec. For now there is still no news on Il Volo’s 2025 tour, as soon as we have it we will communicate it immediately!!
De rien, Ginette!! 😊 Et un gros câlin à toi!
I don’t think many of us realize how hard these guys work for EVERY performance. Their professionalism is the best. This professionalism was instilled in them at age 14, when the three of them came together, probably before, the work ethic was from their parents. I hope they know how much we love them. I just wish the Italian press would be fair. I’m from America and these guys are magnificent. The bad press reviews sound political. It’s about time the press writes the truth…Il Volo is the BEST…EVER.
Maednie unfortunately I have to say that you are right, in the case of the negative articles against the concerts in Agrigento, the press was fomented by the political side. The problem is that this has unleashed the usual haters (people who don’t love life and hate everyone) who wrote vulgar comments against Il Volo which doesn’t deserve it at all.
You are also right to say that these guys have worked hard and professionally since the beginning and the results can be seen and felt. Luckily there is also the press that recognizes all this and I must tell you that the compliments are becoming more and more numerous.😊
I am, like everyone, very frustrated with the press’ unfair treatment of Il Volo and given there are so many of us who love and admire them, I suggest that many of us start a process of posting to the newspapers responding to the bad press. Or however we can target those Italians who are believing the bad press, we show them the joy, the beautiful music and voices, their love of their country in the face of such negativity, the musical gifts they give to us, their devoted fans, their generosity, their humility, and so much more.
Let us counter what the press is saying. Let us fight back for Il Volo! Let us show Il Volo how much we love them from around the world.
How can I help?
Judith
Thank you all, Daniela, Pat, and Judith for this very interesting report about both concerts. The details about the concerts as well as the descriptions of getting there are all part of the story. What Il Volo fans won’t do to be there! Yes, flying, driving, going by train or taxi, going on foot, we’ll do anything to hear them and be there in person.
My daughter and I met Judith last year at the VIP reception before the Tutti per Uno concerts in Verona. I’m sure I’ll see her at more than just one concert next year in the USA!
Majia is exactly like that, I really admire your determination to face all this to come and see Il Volo, I think people here don’t realize all this and when Judith expressed those words I immediately thought of all of you who face these distances to be able to see and hear them in their environment. All of this is truly admirable and I believe that Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca know this well and appreciate you very much. 😍
You’re most welcome, Maija! 😊
Thank you for your report on the concert and the hard time you had getting there ,the concert looks fab will we be able to see it on English tv over Xmas ,i am so looking forward to seeing them in Oct in London ,regards
Hello Pamela! I am very pleased you responded. I have been a fan of Il Volo for all the years since they were 14 and 15 and each moment, each concert, a joy. Have you seen them in person yet?
I will also be in London for the concert — if you want to say hello, I’m usually in the first or second row — tall redhead. I think if I’m going to travel that far from Canada, I want to up front to see, hear and enjoy all. I most often close my eyes and just let their voices fill me.
Hope to see you in London!
Judith
Thank you, Daniela and Pat for sharing Judith’s report on the two Il Volo concerts in Agrigento. Thankfully everything worked out fine Judith, and you had another wonderful experience. You very accurately described some of the amazing journeys people find themselves doing to see Il Volo. Your travels were truly spectacular, especially considering you have some health issues to deal with. You are obviously very positive and determined to see all things as good.
Looking forward to the PBS special and also Il Volo’s tour in the USA in 2025. The Valley of the Temples is another beautiful venue. Having these concerts makes us appreciate even more the history and beauty of Sicily and Italy!
Hello Margaret. Thank you for the compliments and thank you for responding. Like all of us, I have loved Il Volo collectively and individually since they began. I am always in awe when I hear each of their voices ring out to the heavens.
We have watched them grow, watched as they went through terrible heartbreaking losses and deserved joys, watched as their voices changed and every time I attend a concert, I am reminded of what a gift has been given to us, all ages, and I feel lucky and blessed to be able to navigate the countries and towns for their concerts. I must admit that without Il Volo and their concerts, I would never have seen Budapest, Prague, Spain, France and so many more concerts. I would never have visited Italy for the first time and now after more than 150 concerts, I am happy that I have experienced Italy —
Taormina, Marostica, Brescia, Florence, certainly Verona and Lucca and as you know, so many more large and small cities and towns in Italy. Yes, I will go to the concerts in the Americas when they perform but Italy will always be my favourite country to see the boys! I think they feel it to.
In person is always better than a DVD or television production. I fight hard to buy my tickets as soon as they become available – if I am going to travel that far and spend that much money, I want to be out front seeing their faces, hearing their voices and seeing my new (and old, like me) Il Volo friends.
Thank you again,
Judith vanHorn
Thanks to you Margaret, I’m glad you liked what Judith wrote.
We all want to see this PBS special, for those who have never seen Italy, it will make you want to come and get to know it and for those who already know it well, it will make you feel a little nostalgic!
OK, the Sept 1 PBS concert. What PBS station recorded it? PBS in an assortment of stations from around the country that own specific programming. From the Detroit Opera House PBS concert in 2011, until the Matera PBS concert in 2019, they have all been put on by Detroit PBS (and shared with stations around the US and Canada). Was the Valley of the Temples PBS concert also a Detroit PBS concert?