This past year has been amazing! The guys have made their transition, came into their own and excelled by leaps and bounds! It’s truly been an incredible year.
Going back to San Remo and Capolovaro, (which we all know should have won) we are watching a new dimension, a new place in time, a new beginning! The old expression, “the more they change, the more they remain the same,” is not always true! The part that remains the same is phenomenal as usual, but the new Il Volo is a new experience which will bring the guys through the next fifteen years and more!
Let’s look at the last year and some of what the guys had to cherish and at times endure.
Going home again to San Remo was amazing! The difference this time was the guys went to celebrate a milestone in their careers, nonetheless, they were phenomenal, and their song truly deserved to win! Their performance was by far better than anyone else who performed. They were as they always are, a CLASS ACT!
In July they experienced a significant loss. One that was so unexpected. Barbara was taken from them so suddenly and in such a sad way, it wounded their souls but being the men they are and the consummate performers they are, the show went on through tears, sorrows and memories!
The recent marriage of Ignazio and Michelle brought the guys back to happy moments! It was a beautiful intimate wedding (see my story “I’ll Be Loving You Eternally” at www.ilvoloflightcrw.com) that brought together the guys and all the loved ones of Michelle and Ignazio.
These stories I am touching on I will bring back to you when I summarize my year with Il Volo.
So why am I talking about this now? Recently, I was Searching For a Solution. A solution to what? It has become increasingly difficult to write my Il Volo story each week.
Many of you know I have a business, Little Flower Pilgrimages, which is a tour company. In the past year, my business has returned from its low during the pandemic. Part of running my business requires my traveling for that business. I seem to be spending more and more time in Italy which is about 80% of my business. I recently returned from working there for three weeks. It was during that trip that Ignazio got married and because of that I was not able to write my story about his wedding until last week when I returned. This is one of the problems that has come about because of my extremely busy schedule.
Beyond my business, there are my books. As most of you know, during the pandemic, I wrote a book about Padre Pio, “Welcoming the Christ Child with Padre Pio.” (Thank you to all the fans, and there were many of you, who bought my book.) I never expected that it would be a bestseller and that my books would suddenly be in demand. I won two awards for this book including the 2024 International Book Award for Religion. Because of this success, I was asked to write two more books, one which will be out in February, and I am presently working on my fourth book.
Each of these books required a lot of research and the fourth book requires even more research than the last three.
So why am I telling you about this?
Over the last almost five years each of you has stood by my side and followed me. You have been faithful fans! Yes, you are fans of Il Volo, but you are also my fans. Thousands of you read my stories every week and I truly appreciate your readership!
So, my story today is about me and how under the present circumstances I will continue to write for you but, unfortunately, not every week. First off, my column being Through the Fields of My Mind, limits me to what I can talk about. I have told you the stories of every one of the guys since their birth. More than one time! And I will be writing that story again at the end of the European Tour when we have a lot of new fans.
So, this is how I am able to go forward. I will write a story every month and I will write about important events as they happen.
I am happy that we have our beautiful Daniela Perani who keeps us up to date with all the concerts and programing. She writes a phenomenal column. Thank you, Daniela, for all your hard work! It was Daniela who first invited me to write for Il Volo and I am very thankful to her for her confidence in me!
While I’m researching, why don’t you research. All of my stories are in the Archives of Il Volo Flight Crew at www.ilvoloflightcrw.com. In the search box enter my name Susan or Susan De Bartoli and all my stories will come up! There are about 100 stories in the archives!
So today I leave you with a promise! Through my Search for a Solution, I have decided to not give up the column but instead I will write a column every month and whenever it requires my attention!
Thank you for your Readership! I cherish it!
I’ll be back soon with another story Through the Fields of My Mind!
I leave you with one of my favorite concerts….
Il Volo’s full concert in Taormina 01.06.2017 NotteMagica Tour
Beautiful theater from the photos posted by Gianluca and his mother.
A moment during the soundcheck
This is a short video made and broadcast by LONDON ONERADIO where you see the fans at the soundcheck and you hear a brief moment of Il Volo singing the beautiful THE SOUND OF SILENCE, it is a magnificent song, new to the Il Volo repertoire, let’s hope someone recorded it in full during the concert!!
But let’s get to the evening of the concert.
My friend Katerina Tsaousi flew from Greece for the concert and recorded some beautiful videos that I propose to you. Thanks Katerina!! 😘
The repertoire has been revisited with the addition of new interpretations made by Il Volo, such as the beautiful SOUND OF SILENCE, but also by having Italian songs that everyone knows again listened to such as:
FUNICULÌ FUNICULÀ
or: O SOLE MIO
AMOR VIDA DE MI VIDA (Piero)
CAPOLAVORO
CARUSO
GRANDE AMORE
The final
Gianluca’s words: Thank you London, for the incredible energy and warmth! There’s no better way to kick off our European tour. You’ve set the bar high, and we can’t wait to share more unforgettable nights with all of you!
This video about the London concert is beautiful.
And the Italia 1 news broadcast an excerpt, here it is:
Il Volo also conquers London: “This city was a challenge, we were welcomed with a full house”
The trio opened the tour from the English capital, featuring some evergreens by Queen and classics by Leonard Cohen, Simon & Garfunkel, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. A success
LONDON – A challenge won for Il Volo which opened its new European tour in the English capital and sold out. “We were very hesitant in starting from here – Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca told us a few hours before going on stage – due to the enormous cultural offer that the Capital puts on the table every day of the week and, more generally, because the England is a difficult market for any artist. We thought that perhaps it would have been better to include London a little later, doing other cities first, other concerts and arriving here better prepared, warmer. Instead, we chose to trust our promoter and, shortly after the announcement of the European tour, London was among the first stops to be sold out.”
The confirmation of how the trio was eagerly awaited at the Theater Royal Drury Lane, one of the oldest stages in the city dating back to 1812, came not only from the number of tickets sold, over two thousand, but from the queue of fans that had been created hours before the opening of the doors, with many Italians queuing, English people also arriving from the rest of the country, British people from Wales, Venezuelans, Brazilians and other nationalities, all belonging to those small and large foreign communities that feed the melting pot of the Capital, ready to support, applaud and enjoy Bel Canto for a night.
Il Volo is prepared for all this, thanks to its fifteen years of experience around the world; for this reason that every concert, including the one in London, tries to think of it in a unique way. Hence the choice to include in the setlist, for the performance at Royal Drury Lane, some of Queen’s evergreens which are always a pleasure to listen to immersed in English atmospheres: from the show must go on to Who wants to live forever, moving on to other musical classics timeless, like Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen and, for the first time, The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel. All expertly mixed with songs by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley or soundtracks from musicals of the caliber of The Phantom of the Opera.
There is also ample space for their most successful songs, old and new such as Capolavoro, Ad Astra, Opera, to others taken from their album tribute to the maestro Ennio Morricone, up to the inevitable Grande Amore per la grande finale anticipated by classics of Italian popular culture , hummed by everyone, Italians and foreigners, complete with hands raised towards the sky.
Each piece was a river of applause, but the peak was recorded when their voice went high, very high, as with Piero Barone in the interpretation of Amor, vida de mi vida which, among the numerous performances, that of Plácido Domingo remains still the most memorable today. For Piero there was a standing ovation, as well as a heartfelt applause of appreciation from Sir Cliff Richard, present in the audience, one of the older generation English singers with over 21 million albums sold.
“Having a rather substantial career behind us, having duetted with many international stars and held concerts on all continents, we can truly draw from an almost infinite repertoire – they add – from classical to pop, to contemporary, to even more dated things, but without never distort our nature, which remains that of being ambassadors of Bel canto in the world. That’s how people got to know us and that’s what they expect from us when they come to our concerts. However, this does not mean repeating ourselves constantly even in the years to come, but rather proposing songs that we like to sing first of all, that we have made our own and that with them we have reached a level of confidence such as to be able to insert them into lineup, with the certainty that they can also be appreciated by our fans. This is how we think about tours, including the new European one which starts today from London.”
A performance, this one in the English capital, which represented a unicum in Il Volo’s career. It is the third time they have performed in London (the first at the Palladium in 2016 and then at the Royal Albert Hall in 2017), but the first post-Brexit, post-Covid, to pave the way for an international tour, and also because Ignazio Boschetto went up for the first time on stage wearing the ring on his finger, fresh from his marriage to Michelle Bertolini and also fresh from his round figure, 30 years celebrated a few days earlier, on October 4th. “We also wanted to dedicate this special evening to Barbara (Vitali, historic collaborator of the trio who passed away at the age of 54 in July due to a car accident, ed.) because she has been with us since the beginning of our career. She was our second mother and for her, London was a special place…”.
Leaving the London drizzle behind, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca flew to Bratislava for the second stage of the European tour, which will be followed by Budapest, Prague, Barcelona, Dusseldorf, Berlin, Frankfurt, Athens, Zurich, with a date in the Emirates in Dubai on October 25th to return to the Old Continent first in Lodz and then Lisbon, Paris, Sofia in view of the grand finale on November 6th in Madrid. The Italian tour in the sports halls will start in January with stops in Milan, Treviso, Florence, Bologna, Turin, Rome, Eboli, Bari, Messina.
“In the meantime, we also have to think about the next musical project. Because this is the real challenge that we have been pursuing for fifteen years. Put like this, it seems like a condemnation, but it isn’t at all, given that we are neither the first nor the only ones to live like this. It is the reality that unites all those who work in the artistic field. Except that for us it has been valid since we were little more than kids and, we hope, that it will be valid for a long time to come”, the three finally tell us, from the dressing rooms on the third floor of the Theater Royal Drury Lane, while the fans began to take their seats in the velvety seats red, including those who, without knowing it and pleasantly surprised once seated, purchased seats in the Royal Balcony, the one reserved for members of the royal family.
8 October: Bratislava
The concert is in the beautiful and modern Tipos Arena.
The very large audience cheered fervently and admired our three treasures with affection.
What a crackling start.
There aren’t many full videos, but several nice mixes from the evening.
Magnificent: THE SOUND OF SILENCE by Simon & Garfunkel ❤️
Gianluca in the audience while they sing O Sole Mio.
The enthusiastic applause of the people.
Some nice photos of the evening
Il Volo with Jodok and the concert organizers of Koncertpromo who published these words!
Thank you, Il Volo for an incredible first show in Bratislava! Tomorrow, let’s take over Budapest at the @mvm_dome and show how Italian Belcanto conquers the hearts of the Hungarian audience. Love you guys! ❤️
❤️Thank you for inviting @jodokcello to perform with you on these beautiful shows!❤️
The words written by the hotel that hosted them in Bratislava were also very nice:
This week we had the honor of welcoming other exceptional guests to our hotel – the famous Il Volo trio! 🎶✨
Their talent and energy filled not only the winter stadium but also our entire facility, and we are so proud that they chose us. ❤️ Thank you for allowing us to be part of their journey and we wish them much success in their future performances!
Some news that you will have already read, but which I have not given here.
Il Volo will be in Chile in November (8 or 9) for the TELETHON charity broadcast.
Here’s how the news was broken:
“Finally – and from Europe – the Italian trio “Il Volo” will also arrive in our country. Ignazio Boschetto, Gianluca Ginoble and Piero Barone are the singers behind this successful operatic pop group. With almost 15 years of experience and millions of views, come to Chile for the third time to present their greatest hits and their popular covers of ballads in Spanish such as “Abrázame”, by Julio Iglesias, “La unconditional”, by Luis Miguel and “So in love”, by Ricardo Montaner.”
And we end with a bit of gossip, Claudia, Gianluca’s girlfriend, was also present at the London concert, here she is in the photo next to mother Eleonora.
Wow, it was a really exciting start to the tour, great turnout and love from the people who were really excited to listen to Il Volo!!
Of course, the voices of Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca are beautiful and their professionalism is a guarantee, their concerts do not disappoint.
But there are many dates and many concerts still to be done, the journey is long and will certainly be equally full of successes, we have no doubt!!
From the first time I saw the guys I fell in love with them. How was it possible three handsome young teenagers could stir my soul?
As I continued to follow them, I began to see them individually and I learned so much about them individually, and, for some reason, Ignazio stood out. Why? What made him different from the other two? I think even though he was young, he was mature, and he had a unique personality. He had direction! It seemed to me that he knew where he was going even at such a young age. He always had a plan. And from day one he started planning for his future.
Part of what Ignazio saw was a future that included a wife and at least three children.
As he got older, he became more determined to secure that future. He knew what was needed to achieve his goal. Once the goal was achieved, it was time to find the right woman.
There weren’t a lot of women in his life, but the ones who were there were beautiful and smart and each one different from the last. Each one brought something different to his life. Ignazio is handsome and charming and with each woman he matured in body and mind.
As he fell in and out of love, he wondered if his dream would ever come true. Hope remained within him!
Do you believe in coincidences? No, there are no coincidences in life. Everything happens for a reason. In fact, one of Ignazio’s favorite sayings is something his grandfather told him “everything happens for a reason.”
Just prior to dating Michelle, the guys recorded Capolavoro. A true masterpiece. Let’s consider some of the words to this song. They describe just about where Ignazio’s life was.
I felt lost
A sail in an open sea
Suddenly there was Michelle.
And suddenly you, you
You fell from the sky like a masterpiece
Before you nothing was good
As if…. You were the only light giving things a meaning.
There are no coincidences in life!
What made Michelle different? Certainly, she is beautiful! After all she was Miss Venezuela!
But beauty is only skin deep. Let’s go to the surface. There is something that goes so far beyond her beauty. When she speaks you hear a gentle kindness in her voice. When she looks at Ignazio you see love in her eyes, a love that is so evident in Ignazio’s eyes when he looks at her. A love that says, I’ll Be Loving you Eternally.
Let’s begin by letting Michele tell us how this all happens….
This is an excerpt of what Michelle said to Elisabetta Garuffi, owner of Tosca Spose where Michelle’s wedding gown was made.
I will marry Ignazio Boschetto. It was love at first sight. As it happened before, we wrote on Instagram. I knew it was him and we talked for years like this then, one day we met and from that day we have never separated.
After a month and a half on December 24th, he wrote me a song and at the end of the song he said in Spanish casate con migo ‘Marry Me!’ He was on his knee. The only one who knew it was my dad. You know he made me cry that day!
No question Michelle is deeply in love!
And what did Ignazio have to say about finding a new love in his life. He said, I was ready emotionally and financially.
But of course, we knew emotionally. Ignazio was always emotional about marriage and his future family! That’s exactly when Michelle came along! Coincidence? I don’t think so!
If you had asked me years ago who would be the first to marry, I would say Ignazio. I think about what it might be like for Ignazio to marry. No doubt, it is everything. It is his entire life. It was what he really, really wanted, and we watched him move through the years and saw him with other women but who would be the right woman? I think Nina said it best in her speech at the wedding.
Nina begins by talking about when she first saw Ignazio….
When I first saw your eyes (October 4, 1994) it was love at first sight! I who have desired you so much. This was the most beautiful day of my life. I can’t explain in words what I want to, but you have made my life unique and full of love. Big brother, you and I have been through so many good and bad things in life, but our strength has always been to never give up and always fight. You are a clear, good, generous person, ready to worry about making the people you love feel good. Sometimes without thinking about your own well-being. You know, I always tell you that I hope one day to find someone who is your same photocopy of similarities. But I already know that it will be difficult, of course, you too have your flaws, but you are the brother, friend and confidant that anyone would like to have. We have a bond, a bond so strong that we don’t need to talk because we understand immediately if everything is okay. Then there is something that is not right.
From the very first day I saw you (Michelle) I immediately understood the person you are, and I said to myself, ‘but how is it possible that they are the same?’ You are a woman with a capital D (woman – donna in Italian), you are that. What do you want? You know what you want too, and you always think about making the people you love feel good. You are kind, good, delicate and full of life and I want to thank you because you brought into our family joy, serenity and happiness that we were missing for a few years. For me you are not just my little sister-in-law. You have become my little sister? Obviously, I have to thank both of you. Above all, thank you both because you changed my life. You made me reborn for the second time? Do you know why? I still live sensational!
Nina smiled on and went on to sing.
And if that’s not enough to tell you about Michelle, let me add Caterina’s speech about Ignazio and Michelle at the wedding….
With you, you have always been a shoulder to laugh and cry on. Not only as a son, but you are my son and a great friend on whom I can always share. Sometimes I am heavy, I admit to breaking. Always I apologize. Maybe I am wrong for loving you so much. I want you to know that I am the happiest mother in the universe, not in the world in the universe.
Michelle, my love, from the moment that I opened the door something clicked. The quiet in the house turned to oxygen inside me. You brought into our house the serenity and joy that we have been missing for a long time. You know why as I said before, you are wonderful, you are the woman we dreamed of for my son and the mother of my future grandchildren. And you are the right daughter for me and dad.
And I’m sure that as the wonderful and attentive son that you are, you will also be the same as a husband and as a father.
When a mother-in-law and a sister-in-law love you that much there is no question they saw the love in your eyes for Ignazio and they knew this was right! You were the one! What a great feeling for a woman to know that her mother-in-law loves her!
So now let’s get to what we came here for…. The Wedding
Our own Ignazio joined in marriage with the beautiful Michele Bertolini to form a perfect union which began the moment they met. And now for the rest of the lives!
The lovely Michele Bertolini lives in Caracas Venezuela. Her mother, Jacqueline Bertolini is from Venezuela and her father Enrico Bertolini is from Italy.
As we know, Ignazio is the son of Caterina and the late Vito Boschetto both from Marsala.
The couple met several years ago at one of Ignazio’s concerts. A number of years ago they began to speak on Instagram and about a year ago they finally met. From that moment they were inseparable.
Ignazio and Michele’s relationship grew every day and a month and a half later, on Christmas Eve, Ignazio asked Michelle to marry him. Ignazio, being a traditional kind of guy, of course, asked Mr. Bertolini, Michelle’s father, for her hand in marriage. The entire family was present when the marriage proposal took place.
With the gown in hand, it was time for the families to come together.
The night before the wedding, everyone gathered for a bachelor/bachelorette party.
Caterina is so proud of her daughter and her new daughter-in-law. Exactly the lady she wanted for her son. And no doubt the lady Nina, Ignazio’s second mother, wanted for her brother.
Now Caterina has two daughters and Nina has a sister!
Daddy’s little girl!
On September 12th, Ignazio and Michelle married in a Civil Ceremony. Following the ceremony, an intimate reception was held, and their family and friends attended.
After the wedding in the town hall on Thursday September 12th, on Saturday September 14th Ignazio and Michelle exchanged their wedding vows again. This time, in a most elaborate way! The couple gathered together with relatives and friends on Lake Como. They chose Villa Sola Cabiati, a real architectural jewel in neoclassical style, for their very private, very intimate wedding. The private villa overlooks the shores of Lake Como.
The bride prepares!
I wonder who you’re thinking about!
The groom waits!
Time to give her away to her love, Ignazio!
Ignazio with his two mothers. I know Caterina doesn’t mind my saying that because from when Ignazio was only 5 years old, Nina became his second mother. They clung to one another and prayed for their mom to return home from the hospital. After five years of treatment, Caterina returned home but that special bond between brother and sister never went away!
Look at Ignazio’s face as Michelle walks down the aisle. It’s so amazing! The moment Ignazio has been waiting for his whole life has finally arrived! He dreamed of his bride and how it would be when she walked towards him. All the love and emotion on his face shows every dream, every hope, he ever had in his life for the perfect future. Michelle is the perfect future. She will be the perfect mother to his children because she loves children too. In her vows she talks about giving Ignazio the children he hoped for. With each of their beautiful personalities and beautiful souls, they will create perfectly beautiful children!
Below read Ignazio and Michelle’s exchanging of vows and Michelle’s promise to Ignazio….
Master of Ceremonies: You acknowledge that love consists of understanding, mutual respect and obligations.
Ignazio: Do you accept Michelle as your wife, and do you promise to live with her always in relationship and love, to support and comfort her, to respect her in sickness and in health, in happy days and in difficult ones, from today and for the rest of your life.
Ignazio: Yes, I want to.
Michelle: Do you accept Ignazio as your husband, and do you promise to live with him always in relationship and love, to support and comfort him, to respect him in sickness and in health, in happy days and in difficult ones, from today and for the rest of your life.
Yes, I want to.
Ignazio: Luckily.
Then Michelle expresses her personal promises, the fruit of their love and sacrifice.
Michelle…..
Ignazio: Slowly….
Michelle: My darling. It’s the day I’ve been dreaming about… (speaking in Spanish and then in Italian) I would like to say thank you to my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law. From the first day they made me feel at home. And I feel happy and honored, that you are my family. I’m sure my father-in-law is also happy for us and will always protect us from above.
My prince, I promise you my faithfulness and loyalty. I promise to love you and make you feel loved every day of my life and that I will always take care of you and do everything in my power to be a good wife, and hopefully soon a mother as well, and for our families. That I will always be with you, my love, and I promise you that there will never be a day when you will miss my kiss. I love you with all my being, love of my life….
My love. The day we have dreamed about so much has come. I can tell you things now. I know no greater happiness and pride that you are the love of my life. From the first moment I saw you, I had no doubts about the perfect man you are. And I have no doubt about what a good husband and father you will be. I can’t wait for my love to make you a dad. Thanks to you, I learned that love exists and that it is beautiful and that it thrills me every day, that we live with each other and fall in love all the time. That we grow together, that we live for each other, that we take care of every detail. This is a love I could never have imagined, but “my life” exists and we have to live it throughout our lives.
I love you beyond words, beyond physicality, beyond time and space. I just love you like no one else.
Our story is unique, one of those stories you see in films, or that are told to children. It all started from a look, a look so intense and profound that I fell into it and in the end I never got out.
From the moment we saw each other in November, I knew it was you, I had my wife in front of me.
After a week I gave you the keys to the house, after twenty days I met your family, after a month and a half I asked you to marry me and after less than eleven months I married you.
We are two crazy people, it’s true! Sorry Enrico (Michelle’s dad).
But as I told you last Christmas, for me there is no perfect time, there is only “our time”, you and I together, from the best moments to the worst, and I discovered it little by little, together we grew a lot in a short time, trying to be the best and for our future family. Thanks to you today I feel like a better man, worthy and ready to take care of my family. And it is with you that I want to experience everything one hopes for in the family, it is with you that I want to cry, and I want to laugh, it is with you that I want to wake up every morning, it is with you that I want to experience the privilege of being a father.
Ignazio is very emotional.
I can’t explain to you in words what I feel inside, what happens to me when you take my hand and when you hug me, or when I see you sitting at a concert and we send each other kisses, or when I wake up and see you by my side every morning.
But I have the certainty that I want it for my whole life, I can’t do without it, they say it’s love, and that it’s all contained in one word: I LOVE YOU, but a bookcase full of empty books wouldn’t be enough to write to you many times. I love as much as I truly LOVE YOU.
It would be obvious to say I will take care of you, in joy and in pain, until death do us part, but I want to tell you that you are my life, that I will give you everything you have never had and maybe even then you wouldn’t know how wonderful it is to love you. Forever together, I LOVE YOU!
Could you imagine Ignazio singing at your wedding? So just imagine how amazing this first dance was for Michelle. Most grooms just dance with their bride, Ignazio also sang to her. Could you imagine the greatest tenor in the world singing at your wedding?
No wedding is complete without the father of the bride dancing with his beautiful daughter or the mother of the groom dancing with her handsome son. But this wedding had a special extra….
Ignazio starts his dance with his mother and then halfway through, he signals to Nina to join them. Many times during the wedding, as pictures were coming through, I was crying. But I must admit that when Ignazio asked Nina to join him and his mother, I lost it. On many occasions I said to Ignazio, “Cherish your sister! Never forget what your sister did for you. Always love her!” On his wedding day Ignazio showed Nina how much he loves her. Bravo Ignazio!
So the ladies are on the move. Perhaps Michelle will toss her bouquet. Is that even a tradition in Italy? Not sure!
And now the men are on the move. Maybe a garter needs to fly!
So who was at the wedding?
Michelle’s family….
Ignazio’s family!
A little bit of fun!
Other important guest at the wedding. All familiar faces. Ignazio’s family and Friends who are family….
It got a little bit cold as evening went on!
Of course Gianluca was there with Claudia.
In fact they found a way to warm up!
Peppe was there!
Longtime friend and confident of Ignazio. Someone we all know – Federica (Kika) Fina. You looked radiant my friend!
The day after the wedding the families came together to spend a beautiful day on Lake Como!
Ignazio’s family was there.
Michelle’s Family was there.
So how do we end this beautiful story? I’m sure many of you felt the emotions as I did. Ignazio is one of our own. He is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve. He is kind and compassionate and always puts everyone before himself!
Oddly enough, Michelle is exactly like Ignazio. She cares so much for the people she loves. The thing that stood out in her wedding vows was not just that she said she would be proud to be the mother of Ignazio’s children, it was that it was a deep desire, a hope to fulfill Ignazio’s dream!
Can you imagine your most important thought on your wedding day is to fulfill your husbands dream by becoming the mother of his children and stepping into the future he desires! The secret of a good marriage is putting your partners needs before your own. That’s why I know they love each other so much.
Ignazio taught us that hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there’s no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for never give up! Keep your hopes and your dreams in your heart. Hold your dreams like a light within you! Dreams makes all our hopes come true almost like magic. Ignazio did just that; he hoped, and he dreamed, and he can truly say to Michelle, I’ll Be Loving you Eternally!
The End! No Just the Beginning!
Note: Sorry this story was posted so late! I’ve been in Italy for three weeks working. I even went to a wedding there. No, it wasn’t Ignazio’s wedding!
OMG – A RAINDROP!!! Was it really a raindrop on my head? And the rumble in the distance the sound of thunder? NO, NO, NO – this cannot be true, I think, while the worst feared scenario of all slowly appears for my eyes and ears. Yes, it has started to drizzle – and the stage crew rushes to amplifiers and monitors trying to push them under the roof or cover them in plastic. I am about to panic and my thoughts go straight to my experience some 1½ years ago when in Arena di Verona I spent more than 4 hours soaking wet in pouring rain while watching one of IL VOLO’s now legendary grand “Tutti per Uno” Canale 5 Shows. Was it going to be like that again? Well, at least I came well prepared this time having packed a big bag with several raincoats/covers, numerous sweaters, umbrellas and you name it– and, well I had studied the weather chart for weeks hence knowing that rain was a possibility in Macerata on the day in question. Likewise, after all this was yet early evening and just at the Soundcheck. But still…. OK, I am getting way ahead of my story, so let’s get back to the very beginning.
WHAT CAN I SAY? Having generously promised Daniela that I would write a personal review of my concert experience in Macerata I feel a bit in a loss right now sitting here by the computer – as what can I possibly add to the lovely article that she and Pat published a few weeks ago already filling you in on practically everything hence leaving very little uncovered? Yet, I shall be more than happy to share with you my personal ups and downs and many emotions in connection with same as well as try to take you along the concert as I did experience it through my eyes and ears. Do please bear with me though, if you feel you have heard it all before.
55 MINUTES IN DESPAIR! Suddenly – back in February – a mail from IL VOLO ticked into my inbox and in no time brought a lot of hulla-baloo and decision changes about. It was the revealing of tour dates and places for the upcoming Italian Summer concerts kindly offering the fans pre-sale. Wohoo. Yet the mail reached me around noon while the stated pre-sale would open later same day – in fact in less than 1 hour! I.e. leaving me with some just 55 minutes to figure out IF this was of interest at all, and IF so to act on same. Can you imagine the panic arising? Luckily, my husband was at home. I called him – eh, would you consider going to Italy (again) for our 2024 summer holiday? And if so, would you like to join (yet) an IL VOLO concert? We were already holding tickets for one of the Verona concerts in May – and at this stage a wine tasting tour to Burgundy in France were in the early talks and planning – so? I stroke luck, my hubby was ready to change plans. So far so good. BUT – which concert should we go for? And where in Italy should we spend our new holiday? A quick glance at the list didn’t make it easy as in fact very few of the mentioned venues were known to us… OK we do know a lot of Italy, yet, these were towns and places we had never heard of before – and knowing that we wouldn’t enjoy Rome, Naples or other big cities in the hot summer months we needed to do some speedy research. My husband quickly opened Google Maps and plotted in the potential venues to which I would comment – oh, that’s by the Northern Lakes, no, we will have covered that area in connection with the Verona concert; ah this is on the popular West coast but I’d rather try something less touristy – and Sicily, that’s too far away. So it went on, while the clock ticked. Finally, we learned where Macerata was located – and being early September, this seemed the right place for us to choose.
By now we had about 20 minutes left before the pre-sale opening, so we were going from panicking to hearty sweating. Next was to get logged into the Fanclub to get the needed booking code. Having an extremely slow internet, however, this is easier said than done, hence we sat down by both of our computers as well as activating the cell phone trying to get through. My husband succeeded, wohoo, but when opening the TicketOne booking site we were met with information in no way corresponding with the one listed by the Fanclub! The dates were not the same – how could that happen? Now we were totally frustrated – but by co-incidence I clicked one of the incorrect dates and voila the right date appeared on the next page! What??? By then we realized that somehow TicketOne had all the dates one month wrong on the opening page while the correct dates would appear if you continued. We found Macerata only to learn that this venue – as an exception – would not open for pre-sale for yet a week though. Jesus… Well, by now the pre-sale start had passed anyway. Before closing the computer, I thought I would click Macerata anyway though – to possibly learn the seat figuration and be better prepared. What? Now an unexpected active booking box popped up! Eh? Apparently it worked and bookings were already made! OK, back to panic trying to fill in the form as speedily as possible. This is yet an obstacle for us as none of us understand any Italian and the computer automatically tries to translate parts into a very bad Danish – leaving us most of the time guessing resulting in me ticking more or less all boxes off very well knowing that I do no doubt purchase insurances we do not need or postage by regular mail contra e-mail etc. But there is such a little time to fill in these forms if you are not to lose the seats you are trying to book – no alternatives though. Finally, the booking went through and apparently we were now holding two front-row tickets to the concert in Macerata coming September the 5th. Sigh and a big relief 😊. Sometimes I wonder if I am the only one going through these nightmares each time booking IL VOLO tickets – or can you recognize yourself in this story?
Tickets
SOUND & “SIGHTING” Now back to the beginning – namely our arrival in Macerata and the Soundcheck to which we had obtained access as well. We were just some 25 fans and did easily find good seats right in front. Gianluca had already finished his first song – “Eleanor Rigby”– while we were waiting outside, and Piero was ready to take over. Duly instructions as to not use our cell phones or to take direct contact to any of the guys were given. All fine with us. A quick glance around and we realized that just behind us Ignazio’s girlfriend Michelle and brother were seated. Does she ever look sweet with a pretty smile. A bit further up Michele Torpedine and Gianluca’s father were standing in the aisle checking it all out – and not far from us his brother Ernesto Jr. and friends were chatting. Hence, we were surrounded by familiar and lovely people. The guys rehearsed several tunes when suddenly we hear the first notes of the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber tune “The Music of the Night” (Phantom of the Opera) – and Gianluca starts singing in the softest of softest voice… It sounds fantastic and I give him the thumbs up. Apparently he had finally decided to try out this song in Europe for the very first time. (It was on the Japanese set-list). I think I was just as excited about this experiment as he – and I could hardly wait to learn if he would actually do it. As you all know by now – he did! 😊 He never sang “Eleanor Rigby” though.
But we were in for more treats! Towards the end Piero did suddenly come down and greeted each and every one of the fans with a genuine handshake and honest attention to each of us. I had not seen this coming and it was a great and wonderful surprise. And what gorgeous brown eyes and lovely smile that guy has…😉. I must admit that he “won” an extra star with me right there. It didn’t take many minutes, so any of them could easily have done so. Gianluca passed just next to us a couple of times – his mind, however, elsewhere with looks firmly directed at Michel and his father to whom he went to discuss over some issues. I didn’t really “feel” Ignazio this time – but his thoughts were probably fully occupied with the upcoming wedding and his Michelle being around. They were, however, all at the end called to one corner of the stage for a small PR activity – and then the first drop of rain reached my head… What now? At first it did, however only drizzle for a bit and with the check apparently being officially over, people started leaving. When hubby and I left our seats we were few meters from Ercole Ginoble only – and having met him very briefly in Verona together with Daniela – well, I thought it would only be OK and right to go and say a proper hello to him. And so we did. To my delight he did recognize me and we got a nice handshake and a couple of words. By then the rain started up for good and both he and we were asked to leave the theatre. We left the Arena happy though – glad that we had attended. But now it rained… Unlike Verona, Macerata appeared to be a rather slow place with very little activity – but we did manage to find a café that was ready to move people together in shelter of the few umbrellas available and had prepared for some ready-to-go anti pasti we could enjoy while waiting to be let into the theatre again. We ended up in good company – as not long after Michel Torpedine, Ercole Ginoble and a few others from the management team showed up and were seated two tables away from us only. We were now all “in the same boat”. Luckily, after an hour or so the rain did however stop and it cleared up. We were sooooo relieved!
Me in front the Arena
Husband in the rain waiting for concert
SFERISTERIO DI MACERATA – AN ARCHITECTURAL GEM Already at our arrival in Macerata the evening before we acquainted ourselves with this arena – and what a beautiful place it appeared to be! Not the least when illuminated in the evenings. Coming inside we were re-confirmed in the fact that this arena indeed is a true architectural gem. Having visited Arena di Verona a number of times I am still impressed and in awe when entering same – but albeit Sferisterio di Macerata isn’t 2000 years old but rather “just” a mere 200 – it gives you the same whir of history and feeling of grandness. The first stones were laid in 1823 and the construction in Neoclassical style with impressive arches is considered the masterpiece of the Italian architect Ireneo Aleandri. Originally serving as a playground for the ancient sport “Pallone col bracciale” but likewise as the venue for circus, equestrian events, tennis etc. – not until one hundred years later it became the home of the famous Macerata Opera Festivals. It is oddly oval-shaped with a tall 3-story “gallery” on the three sides while the fourth is one long tall brick wall with no frills that seems to function as partly stage by means of a cat-walk like narrow path while a rather small stage is found at the very center of same. The latter puzzled me as I lack to see how they can transform these facilities into the grand scenery needed for big operas. In fact I was surprised that the major stage wasn’t broader hence the purchased seats that I had thought would be kind of front mid appeared to be to the furthest left of same… Well, a bit disappointing but worked out all OK and gave good visibility of everything throughout the show. Further the guys were good at taking in the long cat-walks from time to time giving those seated far out a thrill too. A true unusual setting indeed – even with a railed boardwalk down to the audience placed right in the middle and grass under our feet! This amazing venue added to the entire experience and was a highlight in itself.
NOTE: In spite of our good seating we would have appreciated a couple of big screens too though as watching IL VOLO you gain so much more when you can observe their facials and small antics close up – and it would be so much to the advantage of those seated far out or high up. Yet again, personally we shall not complain and now we know exactly where to choose seats should we get yet an opportunity.
The Arena all lit in the evening
Arial photo of the Arena inside
Me seated in my front row inside the Arena
“IL VOLO” FOR INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING IL VOLO doesn’t just bring us wonderful musical experiences – they also bring people from the entire world together. Just look at our little community here – but not the least when we meet up personally at concerts and get to greet each other face to face. We unite regardless of race, faith and nationalities – bound together by our common appreciation and love for these guys and their beautiful music. Some friendships evolve and become true long-lasting relationships. At this concert I had the pleasure of meeting up with a couple of our Australian fans – Zdravka Stepic-Clark and Angela Hobson. We had briefly exchanged words on Facebook – and now, we were suddenly meeting in the flesh chatting and sharing experiences as had we known each other for ever. It was such a pleasure and lots of fun. Waiting in line for the Soundcheck everyone was likewise chatting with each other. In all kind of tongues, by means of Google translate and finger languages as coming from none the less than Brazil, Chile, Australia, the US, East Europe, Italy – and of course Denmark. 😊
At the café in the rain by chance we were seated next to a very nice lady who turned out to come from Finland – and in no time we were engaged in interesting conversations. This is exercising “international understanding” in its finest form! IL VOLO may not be fully aware – but I can testify to that having worked with this topic for years both voluntarily and professionally. Among others as exchange student/returnee with the Intl. org. “Youth for Understanding” and as staff in the Int. org, “People to People” started by president Eisenhower years back. Doing it IL VOLO-style is, however, a lot more fun. 😊
Me and the two Australian fans
TOP NOTCH CONCERT By now you may be thinking – is she ever coming around to tell about that concert? Of course – but having read all of Daniela’s many fine reviews on this year’s Italian “Tutti per Uno” concerts you are probably all very well familiar with the concept, the core repertoire and the way of execution of same – but I’m naturally more than happy to fill you in on exactly my evening. The repertoire was indeed very varied duly representing the many genres they master – maybe with an overweight of songs from the new “Ad Astra” album. As we have come to learn they seem to tailor-make each single repertoire to the particular audience in front of them – hence never being exactly the same. However, taking place in Italy and being part of their process of reaching out for a younger crowd as well this choice felt only natural. As a consequence of this, the legendary Bel Canto songs were likewise omitted – unless you count “Un Amore Così Grande” into this category. I trust, however, that it will be the other way around once they prepare the repertoire for their upcoming US Tour. As in Verona they opened the evening with “Nelle tue mani” from the Gladiators – a pompous and majestic tune perfect for the purpose and truly showing the strength and capacity of their beautiful voices. Down this more lyrical line we were likewise pampered with their always forceful interpretation of “Nessun Dorma” from Turandot and the beautiful “Miserere”. Albeit being the “Tutti per Uno” concept they did in no way let us down as to beloved tunes from their basic repertoire such as “My Way”, “Caruso”, “Il Mondo” and of course “Grande Amore”. To my great personal pleasure, they had likewise decided to perform quite a range of songs from my absolute favorite album: “IL VOLO sings Morricone” including “Ecstasy of Gold”, “Your love”, “Se”, “Telefonando” and “Here’s to you”. I was thrilled as I do truly love all these tunes.
All 3 guys in the opening song.
As apparently having become a tradition they went off stage and into the audience while singing the latter. We had the pleasure of Gianluca passing right by us handing out loose handshakes to those who could catch hold of his hand – but really not looking at anyone directly… – while at the next section of fans in wheel-chairs he stopped and greeted each and every one with a thorough handshake/touch and big personal smile, which was very thoughtful and loving. A bit later we caught sight of him again – now in the middle of the Arena where he found one of the Stefano twins and other of his personal close friends. They got big hugs. Meanwhile Ignazio had worked his way up the mid aisle smiling, hugging and shaking hands with many fans. Piero we couldn’t follow as he was spending his time at the other side of the Arena. No doubt this gesture – and big trust in their audience – is one of the highlights of their concerts very much appreciated and loved not only by the fans but undoubtedly likewise by themselves. They seem so happy doing it. I cannot, however, avoid worrying about that one day there may be a lunatic amidst the crowd…
Gianluca greeting fans in wheelchairs
Piero strolling one of the long cat-walks
Likewise having turned into a tradition seems the dedication of the legendary Leonard Cohen tune “Hallelujah” to those less fortunate – i.e. people in the services, in need, sick or otherwise suffering and not the least those that are being thoroughly missed. Asking the audience to light their cell phones and sing along it is a very touching and moving moment. With the recent big loss of their beloved Barbara in mind I had, however, feared this song a bit – but the guys seemed to have come to terms with the situation and coped ok. A close-up at a big screen may have revealed something else though – I don’t know. No matter what – their profound and heartfelt interpretation of this song is always beautiful.
All 3 singing Hallelujah
Songs from the new “Ad Astra” album prevailed this evening including among others: “Capolavoro”, “Succede”,” Framenti di universe”, “Who wants to live forever” and the long version of “Ad Astra”. I must admit that I am still struggling a bit with this album – it shall never be my favorite – but I am truly in awe with their version of the Queen song. It is such a fantastic tribute to Freddie Mercury and in my opinion even better than the original… Ignazio is truly challenging the high notes here which he, however, effortlessly reaches as a piece of cake and embraces with his unique strong, rough and yet delicate voice. WOW. All while Gianluca and Piero add warmth, softness and fervor to the profound words leading up to same. And yes, I did write, warmth, softness and fervor – not words I would normally connect with Piero, but I am sure that all of you have likewise noted that Piero has added new dimensions to his voice? He seems now to master soft and less lyric timbres just as well as Gianluca and Ignazio – at times leaving me in doubt as to whom is actually singing a particular phrase.
“Who wants to live forever” Ignazio
A special force of “Il VOLO” is no doubt the capacity of their highly individual voices and personal musical preferences – and the concept “Tutti per Uno” enables them to deliver a unique repertoire broader and more varied than any other performing groups I know of. Genial! Hence, I am always looking forward to their soli and wondering what they will choose that particular night – none the less this time. Piero pampered us expectedly once again with lyric arias incl. the beautiful “Amor , Vida de Mi Vida”. Not being particularly versed in the field of opera I am embarrassed to admit that I cannot recall nor know the name of the other ones… but as always he impresses us with his powerful voice and dedication to deliver to perfection. I can only repeat myself – he gets better and better – certainly now harvesting following the many hours spent rehearsing and learning. Ignazio chose among others to sing “Almeno tu nell’ universo” – an absolute favorite of his undoubtedly meaning a lot to himself personally and hence performed with such a fervor and passion immediately spreading to the audience making us all feel his pains and emotions. Beautiful.
Piero in one of his soli
Ignazio singing solo
AND “THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL” are the words I do normally use referring to Piero, who at my five previous concerts undoubtedly always has obtained the most and longest standing ovations. Not this time though… as – finally – Gianluca showed everyone the broad range and vocal capacity of his voice. Confirming what an awesome and unique singer he truly is! Likewise, being able to embrace demanding, strong and challenging pieces of music. Coupled with his profound embodying and passionate interpretation of text and character he gave us an unforgettable performance of the beautiful Andrew Lloyd Webber song “The Music of the Night”. WOW!!! – huge kudos to him. I have waited for so long for him to take this step – and those of you who have read my previous reviews will have noticed that over and over I have applauded Gianluca’s solo performances but likewise – right from the very beginning – added that I didn’t think he did challenge himself sufficiently and hence didn’t show us his full potential. Stating that I would love to hear him sing i.e. “The Phantom of the Opera” – so very little knowing, that I was actually going to experience him doing so. It didn’t come as a total surprise though. Early this year we did learn that it was to be found on the Japanese set list – but not being among those chosen for the Verona concerts I thought he might have given it up… Hence, my surprise was huge when at the Soundcheck I heard him rehearsing it. Yet again, would he actually do it? But, yes, indeed he did – and I cannot find words to describe my feelings when listening. I was mesmerized… I have never heard him sing any song this beautifully. The first phrases softer than soft – immediately capturing you. And the way in which he built up the story taking you along all the way – he didn’t just sing the song – he WAS the Phantom! You owe to yourselves to watch some of the videos clearly showing how he “entered” the character and embodied same with beautiful narrative arm and hand movements… The high and powerful notes of the highlight of the song were effortlessly reached without as much as a raised eyebrow. I was breathless – the hair rose on my arms… I had to give up videotaping as I wanted to give this moment my full attention and not one to be experienced through a lens. And the audience loved it giving him the biggest standing ovation of the night – albeit I felt it should have been even longer and louder. If you listen to some of the videos, I am sorry to say, it is my loud wow-wow-wooowwwwws you can hear, as I couldn’t stop myself. Gianluca was “The King of this Concert” and the winner of it all this evening!
Gianluca in one of his soli
“The Music of the Night” from IL VOLO e Clase, YouTube
POST CONCERT BLUES Having so many forceful and strong songs in their repertoire these days it seemed that they had difficulties in choosing the closing-tune as several times towards the end I was presuming that this must be the last song – yet only to experience another great tune to follow. Even though they did actually all leave the stage for a moment – they did return and, of course, they couldn’t terminate the concert without their all-time biggest hit “Grande Amore” followed by Ignazio’s legendary reversed countdown. And away they were. Immediately leaving me with an empty feeling and a rising new craving … I was already suffering from the “Post Concert Blues”… In no time the arena was empty but we couldn’t just go home and call it a night, so albeit finding Macerata so absolutely without any signs of night-life, we did spot lights at a single bar in the town square and headed towards same to slowly throttle down over a night-cap. More people followed along and shortly afterwards we were joined by musicians and technical crew who apparently needed to unwind a bit too before going to bed. A wonderful evening had come to an end!
THE ICING ON THE CAKE Sometimes you can strike luck – and so we did when a couple of days later we “stumbled” across Gianluca in the street and enjoyed a few minutes’ private chat. He did even offer to take the selfie himself! What a likeable, humble and totally down-to-Earth young man he is. Swiftly you forget that you are chatting with a huge international star – albeit I did get a bit star-struck and stumbled over the words at first – but apart from among others congratulating him with the fantastic concert in Macerata I did manage among others to briefly discuss with him IL VOLO’s lacking presence In Scandinavia and the various attempts I have been launching in this respect in the hope of creating awareness and getting them played in Danish radio and TV. He was aware and tried to comfort me telling that work was in process and in a couple of years…. Very sweet. In no time five or more minutes had passed and he walked on to do his business. What can I say – this meeting was way above my highest expectations. Apparently dreams can come true. The best thinkable holiday memory had just been created – a moment I shall never forget and cherish in my heart forever.
Selfie of Gianluca, Kirsten and hubby, Steen
I hope you have enjoyed reading my story and send you all my love.💗 Kirsten.
ATTN: All footage and video clips are private and credit of Steen & Kirsten Langer.
Exceptions: Arial photo of Sferisterio Arena – photographer unknown. The full video of “The Music of the night” credit “Il Volo e clase”, YouTube.
So, my story today is about me and how under the present circumstances I will continue to write for you but, unfortunately, not every week. First off, my column being Through the Fields of My Mind, limits me to what I can talk about. I have told you the stories of every one of the guys since their birth. More than one time! And I will be writing that story again at the end of the European Tour when we have a lot of new fans.
