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General news

ZECCHINO D’ORO MUSIC IS TURNED OFF BY COVID by SUSAN

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An announcement was made this week that the 63rd edition of the Zecchino d’oro will be postponed due to Covid 19. The presenters of the event this year Mara Venier and Carlo Conti will have to wait until May 2021 for the show to be broadcast on Rai 1.

When I read this, I immediately thought of Gianluca.  So, what is the Zecchino d’oro and what does it have to do with Gianluca?
The Zecchino d’oro is an Italian tradition. It is an event for kids, and it is dedicated to them and to all the adults who still feel like kids.
This show is presented every year between late November and the beginning of December.
In Italy there are magical days, when it starts to get cold, and children stay in their warm homes. It’s not Christmas, but the period that precedes it when the famous Zecchino d’oro TV show is broadcast. It has been broadcast every year, for decades. It was established in 1959 by Cino Tortorella who was the good presenter who introduced the children on stage, disguised as Mago Zurlì. He was so loved by all children.

The Zecchino d’oro is the festival of the little ones. In fact, if the Sanremo Festival is aimed at adult audiences and the songs are interpreted by adults, the Zecchino d’oro is made for children, with songs tailored for children.
The songs may seem like simple songs but, they are actually much more. Special attention is given to the songs’ texts. The themes are about tolerance and peace. And this is confirmed by the expression of the event: “In this contest, the winner is not the child who sings, but the song that is sung!”
Father Berardo Rossi, one of the founders, discovered by chance, a girl who used to teach the children of his parish and organize events. Mariele Ventre, who was 22 years old, had just graduated from the Verdi Conservatory in Milan and was on her way to a promising concert career. She said yes to Fr. Rossi’s proposal and the adventure began. Mariele liked the name Zecchino because it refers to the gold coin in the field of miracles of Collodi’s Pinocchio and thus it was called Zecchino d’oro. She founded the Piccolo Coro two years later, an institution that she would direct passionately for thirty years, until the last day before she died on December 16, 1995. Upon her death the Piccolo Coro dell’Antoniano, was renamed Piccolo Coro for Mariele.

Zecchino d’oro, however, is not only music and entertainment, it has been carrying out voluntary initiatives by raising funds to build schools, hospitals, orphanages, with projects all over the world, to help the less fortunate live better lives.
In 2008, the Zecchino d’oro received an amazing recognition from UNESCO, becoming a world heritage for a culture of peace: the first TV show in the world to receive such a prestigious award.
This year the images were to be reassuring to Italy. The country had the strength to bet on good feelings and a strong idea of safeguarding children.
Though you may not know this show in America, we can relate one of the characters, Topo Gigio, the puppet created by Maria Perego. Topo Gigio landed in America many years ago on the legendary Ed Sullivan Show. For those of you who are not old enough to remember Topo Gigio, let me say we waited every week for his appearance on the show. For us kids and the adults he became a household name. Seems hard to believe that this little mouse stole the hearts of the American people.

So where does Gianluca fit into all of this? If it wasn’t for the Piccolo Choir of Roses and the Zecchino d’oro, Gianluca may not have been discovered.
Gianluca was a member of the Piccolo Choir of Roses which is one of the local branches of this choir. The Mago Zurlì, who was the presenter of the event when Gianluca was in the Choir, was Gianluca’s father, Ercole Ginoble.
But, let me let Gianluca tell you how this all came to be….
When I sing, I don’t forget instinct.  What does that mean? As I said, I have never studied singing. I learned to “use” my voice only thanks to my musical ear. I listened to the music and it transmits everything I know. And I especially thank the Little Choir of Roses.

When I was about eight or nine, all those who knew my voice gave me the same advice: go sing in a choir. In Roseto there was the Piccolo Choir of Roses directed by the master Susy Paola Rizzo. They sang the songs of the “Zecchino d’oro” or other famous songs with arrangements in that style, with music for children. The Mago Zurlì, that was the presenter of the event, was my father. He had been for a couple of seasons.
This is where I started. It was nice because we studied the songs throughout the winter season, not the technique of singing, the songs. It was different, because we did not study the notes and how to do them, rather we studied instinctively, following what the teacher said and what our ear heard.
Then, in the summer, we demonstrated our work in the Municipality of Roseto. We sang in the squares during the local festivals, in the lidos, in the bathing establishments, around the whole of Abruzzo, all these tiny villages.
During the performances with the choir, besides the repertoire of the Zecchino d’oro, we sang the songs of Bocelli: Misere, Il Mare Calmo Della Sera, La Voce Del SilenzIo.

So, although Gianluca never studied music he did develop a musical ear and instinct and as a member of the Piccolo Choir of Roses and his performances around Abruzzo he was discovered by Licia Giunco who brought Gianluca to Rome to audition for Ti Lascio Una Canzone. The rest is history!
And as a result of this, Gianluca shares his amazing voice with people all over the world!

 

Credit to owners of all photos and video.

Article or Video Translations, General news

THE RIGHT VOICES by Daniela

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Francesco Boccia, the one who wrote GRANDE AMORE, was interviewed.
Francesco is also a singer and in this period he has joined his voice to three other people and they have created a group that is having a lot of success in the X Factor program in Romania.
During the interview, two questions relating to IL VOLO were asked to Francesco, which I am now translating to you.

Fattitialiani.it  Article – Click Here

Perhaps not everyone knows that you are the author of Grande Amore, the success with which the Il Volo group won Sanremo. How was the song born?
“Do you think Grande Amore has been in the drawer for 12 years. I wrote it in 2003, but it came out in 2015. I left it in the drawer until the right opportunity arose. I always knew this song would be liked, but I had to wait for the right moment. When you create it, inside you, you already know if something is strong or not. In my heart, I knew that if Grande Amore had gone to Sanremo, I would have made the numbers. I tried at least 5 or 6 times to present it, then I changed direction and I said to myself that, perhaps, this song could not reach, with my voice. So I started looking for interpreters. I am very fond of Queen and Freddy Mercury, there was the Barcelona song he sang with Montserrat Caballé. I had an intuition and I said that perhaps Grande Amore should be sung by a more important lyrical voice. Trying it with two lyrical voices, more set, I realized that the piece could have a more international take.”
In the photo Il Volo with Boccia and Esposito, writer and composer of Grande Amore.
And why, in the end, was the song sung by the Il Volo trio?
“At the selections, I presented the song with the two tenors with whom I had recorded this sort of demo. Carlo Conti, who at the time was in charge of the artistic direction of Sanremo, however, saw the potential of the song and told me:
‘Francesco, this song is too important, we cannot put it in young people ( the songs in Sanremo can be presented by the YOUNG, who are unknown, or by the BIG who are already famous).’
Also because one of the two boys I had introduced was over the age to be a candidate and therefore Carlo asked me for permission to let someone else hear the song. In the end, he introduced it to Il Volo. Initially Il Volo did not want to do it, especially because they had presented themselves with their own songs, but after various insistences they auditioned and, once sung, they were convinced and fell in love. And what happened happened, with more than 100 million views, including the win. It had been more than twenty years that an Italian song hadn’t been around the world. This made me realize that you have to believe in things. Because when you really believe it, things happen.”
Really beautiful are the words of Francesco Boccia, and of course we give him our best compliments for having had the intuition to write this beautiful song and we thank him for having always insisted and waited patiently on presenting Grande Amore!
Il Volo arrived and everything seemed perfect, this song had been waiting in the drawer for many years, for Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca to arrive, three guys with wonderful voices who would have given the right emphasis to the notes of this beautiful song. ❤️
One thing, continuing to read Francesco’s interview, bothered me a little, when they asked him why he presented his band in Romania, he replied:
“Because our Italian music is much more appreciated there than here in Italy. So much so that we tried to participate in these talents which took place abroad.”
It really hurts to hear this statement, but it hurts because it’s true.
In reality it is not true that this music is more appreciated abroad than in Italy, because we know very well that there are many supporters, we have confirmed this from the concerts always full of fans.
But this beautiful music is not at all supported by radios, TVs, and Italian newspapers, which instead offer very often “junk music” thus accustoming the tastes of our young people to this music and this way of singing, sometimes really horrible.
Reflecting, I think that Il Volo, in the people of Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, are to be admired even more, for having had the courage to insist on presenting in their country, Italy, a certain type of song, considered by many “passé”.
The results proved Il Volo and those who have always supported them right.
Daniela

 

Credit to owners of all photos and article.

Flashback, PBS

IL VOLO ON THE ROAD TO PBS by SUSAN

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Nine years ago, PBS introduced America to three teenage Italian boys, Il Volo.
Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca grew up on PBS. From their first concert on October 27, 2011 at the Detroit Opera House, they won the admiration of the American people. These three teenagers stole the hearts of the American people and they continue to do so today. They have done 6 concerts with PBS over the past 10 years. Their last concert in 2019 in Matera, Italy was to celebrate their ten years together as Il Volo.
They introduced America to a new style of music. Operatic pop and classical music! A very different kind of music for teenagers. Il Volo’s aim was to show young people how good this music is. They won over the children, parents and grandparents. They were an immediate sensation. America fell in love with them.
On the Ninth Anniversary of Il Volo’s concerts on PBS, let’s look back at how they started on this road.
Over the last year I have shared Il Volo’s life story with you, their fans. Now it’s time to go back and see how they landed on this road. Let’s travel back in time to where it all began in Naro, Bologna and Montepagano!
Piero’s best memories as a child were his Sunday dinners with his family which included every family member from his great grandmother, Lina, all the way down to his cousins who were more like brothers and sisters. And he recalls summers in the countryside with his entire family. Piero says, “I swear they were perhaps the most beautiful days of my life, and I will never forget them.”
Let’s take a closer look at one of these stories.
Discovering Piero!
Piero’s discovery starts in the Garden of Pietro Ognibene’s (Piero’s Grandfather) house.  
As was his custom, Piero’s grandfather Pietro, would come out on the terrace every morning and find a cool place to sit. Pietro always had a recorder with him. He has been blind for many years and he uses the recorder to record music, recite poetry and compose songs. Piero says, “When I think back to the first images I have of him, he is sitting on the terrace in the country with a stereo in his hands.”
On this morning Piero is the garden on the Altalena, an old fashioned swing that is hanging from a mulberry tree, and on the terrace, Pietro is preparing to record a song. It’s just a little song. The song is only two lines and it is pure Sicilian. Pietro begins to sing. E lu suli talia, talia, talia. Sopra ‘sta petra luci ci duna, that is and, the sun, look, look, look, to this stone gives the light.
Piero recalls, “I was swinging on the swing, I was about four or five years old, I was really, very small. I listened to him a little and at a certain point, when he stopped singing, I started: E lu suli, talia, talia, talia. Sopra ‘sta pedra luci ci duna. What can I tell you? It just came out like that.”
His grandfather turned off the recorder and called his wife. Rina came out on the terrace and he asked her, “Unni è Piero?” (Where is Piero?)
She replied, “In Altalena” (He is on the swing)
Pietro asked, “Ma cu cantava? Iddru?” (But who was singing? He?)
She replied, “Eh, si.” (yes)
He told Rina to call him.
So, Piero got up and went to his grandfather. Pietro lifted him up and put him on the table next to the recorder and told him to “sing the song again.” Piero sang the song exactly as his grandfather sang it. He listened to Piero sing the song and then he made the decision to go to his friend Antonio’s house to record it.
Antonio a friend of Pietro had in his home what was called at that time a “recording studio”. It was not very big but, it did have a bigger stereo and a microphone. So, that afternoon they recorded Piero singing his grandfather’s song in Sicilian. But it didn’t stop there!
The meeting with Mimmo Riolo, in the Garden of the Riolo House.
The next day Pietro and Piero went to the countryside to the Riolo’s house. Piero’s grandparents had a country house and the Riolos were their neighbors. Pietro had a good relationship with Mr. Riolo, they were family friends. At the Riolo house, they all sat together under a carob tree because the air was always fresh under that tree. While the men talked, Piero ate prickly pears.
Pietro said to his old friend, “You know, Mimmo, yesterday I discovered that my grandson has a nice voice.”
Mimmo thought about it for a moment and came up with an idea. “I want Piero to listen to one of my favorite singers.”
Piero recalls, “And this is how I listened for the first time to Un Amore Così Grande by Mario del Monaco. And I learned it right away, but right away. My grandfather was very proud. And something told me the next day we would go to record Un Amore Così Grande at Antonio’s house.”
The day after they visited Mr. Riolo, they went to Anotonio’s house to record Un Amore Così Grande.
That evening the family met for dinner in the countryside, as was their custom, in the summertime.
In the Garden of Piero’s Grandparents House
This evening would be the beginning of Piero’s journey to stardom. After dinner all the kids played soccer while the adults went outside to chat and enjoy the cool of the evening on the terrace. But this evening would be a little different.
On the Terrace of Piero’s Grandparents House
When they finished dinner, Pietro called his wife. “Rina, get the recorder.” Rina brought in the recorder and placed it in front of Pietro. The recorder was already prepared with the cassette. Pietro turns to Piero’s dad and says, “Listen to this voice, Gaetano.” He pushes play and starts the recording of Un Amore Così Grande.
Gaetano is amazed, like he has just heard a good thing, and he says, “It’s beautiful, who is it Daddy?” (he calls his father-in-law Daddy.)
Pietro says, “Piero.”
Silence.
Gaetano has a questioning looking on his face “How did Piero?”
Pietro says, “So”.
On that night Piero’s life changed!
In Ignazio’s story, I found out that he is an excellent writer. He is the only one who wrote his story. Ignazio is very articulate. His words just fly off the page. Ignazio’s mother says and I agree, “Ignazio is very serious and responsible.”
Let’s see how Ignazio views this time in his life.
Il Volo with Jim Masters and Lee Newton
Discovering Ignazio
Ignazio says, “My story is not a fictional story even if it seems to be one of those dreams that you never want to wake up from.”
Ignazio learns to play Nina’s piano
Ignazio remembers, “When I was three or four years old – I played with the piano my parents had given my sister, Nina. My mother says I was one years old when I played. Nina taught me to play Happy Birthday with one finger.”
Ignazio’s School in Bologna
Ignazio says, “I do not remember the first day of school, but I certainly did not take long to get noticed. If you’re thinking of scenes of me being put in the middle of the class to sing, forget it. I had a passion for music but, I had an even greater passion for pranks. I tell you, since I started talking and walking, mine was an escalation of agitation.”
Ignazio Joins the School Choir
“With the passage of time, I found something good to do at school, that is, an activity that was able to hold my interest enough to prevent me from slipping into some disaster. I joined the school choir. I always liked to sing, to be ‘in the middle’ of the music. And more and more passionately I began to understand how to make better use of Nina’s famous pianola. I learned how to start the musical bases and flip through them. And that’s when I discovered La Donna È Mobile. I liked it so much that I sang with the base and invented words. I don’t remember the words but, it certainly was a song about Pavarotti. Having seen Pavarotti on TV, I knew he always had a big handkerchief so I would invent text and sing on the air La Donna È Mobile.”
In 2004 at the age of 10, Ignazio’s family moved back to Marsala and opened a Pizzeria.
While the pizzeria grew, a passion grew within Ignazio. It was a passion for electronics and music.
Ignazio’s mother opens Pizzeria dei Desideri in front of their house.
In 2005 Pizzeria dei Desideri was completed and, within a few months Caterina already had regular customers and since the pizzeria was right in front of the house, when Ignazio sang, the customers heard him.
One day a gentleman said to Caterina, “You know, my daughter is studying singing, why don’t you come with your son once? Even just to try.”
Ignazio’s Meeting with Lilliana Andreanò in Marsala
Ignazio recalls, “I remember it as if it were yesterday…. I was eleven. I wore a yellow shirt with green stripes, fashion was never my strong point. Arianna, the daughter of the pizzeria customer, who had heard me sing, and her mother and I waited in front of the school for more than twenty minutes for Liliana Andreanò, the singing teacher. Lilliana Adreanò, arrived in a grey Opel Astra. She got out of the car and immediately entered the school.
Ignazio says: “I was worried, almost embarrassed. Hard to believe, right? Even as a child I’ve never been the type to be speechless. Lilliana begins to talk about music, what kind of songs I like to sing. It was already a strange thing because usually I just sang, no one asked me why and how. You know, Liliana I like to sing Giorgia’s songs.”
Lilliana said: “Strange for a kid to sing this kind of song.” She asked, “And which song of Giorgia would you like to make me listen to?”
Gocce Di Memoria (Drops of Memory), Ignazio said. “I didn’t even have a doubt. I start singing and Liliana was amazed by my extension but asks me to try a male song too. I thought a little bit and then I said to her: sometimes I even sing Con Te Partirò by Andrea Bocelli. I started singing and, when I finished Liliana told me: ‘Ignazio, this is your musical direction’.”
Ignazio continues: “From that first lesson I began to study songs like Il Mare Calmo Della Sera, Un Amore Così Grande and all those that came to mind, and I liked it. It approached that genre that was not lyrical, it was modern music but with something classic. With Liliana I found myself, very comfortable. We understood each other immediately because she is a sociable person, simple, as are all of us in my family.”
After several lessons, Lilliana proposed that Ignazio take part in a bullfight (competition) organized in Paolini.
Ignazio says: “I wasn’t completely convinced that I wanted to get on a stage. Until that moment I had only thought about singing, but I had never seriously thought that all that singing one day could bring me into the spotlight.”
Ignazio performs in his first Competition in Paolini
Ignazio says, “I was about to get on the bullfight stage. My legs were trembling, the butterflies in my stomach were no longer butterflies but crazy swallows.
I decided to participate with the song by Bocelli Con Te Partirò (Time to Say Goodbye), a song that I had studied and re-studied with Liliana, but as soon as the music started I had a terrible fear of forgetting the words. So, what did I do? I looked down all the time. So, the audience, the place, what happened around me while I was singing, it’s not that I do not remember anything, I just do not know because I only saw the tips of my feet.
Fortunately, however, I remembered all the words and it is not so obvious because sometimes it happens that I forget the words even today now that I have become professional, the emotion continues to take us despite everything and.… I came in third.”
Once the ice was broken and the stage panic was over, that ended up being just the first of many competitions for Ignazio.
As to Gianluca I was surprised to find out he was such a romantic. Everything that is important to him is a passion. He invests himself in what he loves and believes in: Family, Music, Country and Soccer! Above all, Gianluca loved to sing. Music was his whole life! Gianluca said, “Singing makes me feel good.”
Discovering Gianluca
Garden of Gianluca’s house facing the beach of Roseto degli Abruzzo.
Gianluca says, “I am from the town of Montepagano, Abruzzo. To be precise, I grew up, in Montepagano, on a hill two hundred meters as the crow flies and ten minutes by road from the sea, and Roseto degli Abruzzi.”
Gianluca continues, “My life as a child seems so far away. I remember very little of my childhood! I’m not like Ignazio I was born and raised in Montepagano. I was traveling only with dreams. What made me dream? Music naturally. Dad and mom realized that I had something special in my voice when I started to sing at the age of three or four years.
Town Square of Montepagano
My parents tell me when I was three years old I sang O Sole Mio in the town square in front of all the elderly gentlemen friends of my grandfather who, sitting around the bar table, were listening to this little boy with such a particular voice.”
Gianluca continues, “This was my first audience but, of course, I don’t remember it. My grandfather wanted me to study music, he always told me: ‘Gianluca, study the piano, study an instrument.’ I’ve never done it. It would be a dream to sit down on the piano and start playing and singing.” (Since this statement, Gianluca has studied piano and now he plays quite well.)
While his grandfather made him listen to classical music, Pavarotti and music from the Fifties-Sixties, his father made him feel Fabrizio De Andrè, Francesco De Gregori, Giorgio Gaber, Antonello Venditti and, as he grew older, he became more passionate about singing, including the great American classics, first of all, Frank Sinatra.
Gianluca says, “I never, never would have thought that…. I could make music my life. I only sang because it made me feel good. Then what happened? I do not know exactly, because everything happened very quickly.”
The phone call that changed it all!
“It was 2008 when my father received a call from Licia Giunco.”
Who is Licia Giunco. She’s an incredible woman, known throughout Italy for being the creator of an annual event called Sport for Life, a great international ice-skating gala. For the gala, skating champions come from all over Europe to participate. The reason for Mrs. Giunco’s phone call was Gianluca’s performances with the choir.
“We have a great talent here in Roseto,” Mrs. Guinco told Mr. Ginoble. I would like to bring him to RAI (Italian TV Station).”
Gianluca says, “My father had never thought about it. My parents had never even imagined that I would participate in competitions, let alone send me for an audition for television.”
“Let’s try,” Mr. Ginoble replied, “It would be a great opportunity.”
Each boy has now been set on the road to PBS so where did they go from here?
Over the years, each boy approached his musical education in a different way.
After his discovery in the garden, Piero embarked on a classical music education.  He began piano lessons at the age of 8. At 10 years old he joined the Little Singers of the Philharmonic Association – Santa Cecilia of Agrigento. And then he began the competitions around Sicily.
Ignazio continued his singing lessons moving on to other teachers as he progressed. He took three years of piano lessons. His relationship with Lilliana Andreanò continued. She advised him every step of the way right up to his audition at Ti Lascio Una Canzone which she convinced him to do. But I’m getting ahead of myself!
Gianluca, unlike Piero and Ignazio, never had a singing lesson or piano lesson. Gianluca joined the Piccolo Choir of Roses. At one of their events, he was discovered.
As you know, the three teenage boys came together on the Ariston Stage in Ti Lascio Una Canzone for the performance of O Sole Mio and stepped off the stage and embarked on the road to stardom.
They came in first, second and third. Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero. But the biggest prize was becoming Il Volo.
They signed a contract with Universal and recorded their first album.
In 2010 when they arrived in America, they took it by storm. After their performance on American Idol, they sky rocketed to the top of the Billboard charts.
What happened next? And, so, we arrive at PBS. But let me turn the story over to the guys. They will tell you about what happened after Ti Lascio Una Canzone.
“Spotlight” Producer Paul Larson just minutes before going on stage at Place des Arts in Montreal, Quebec spoke with the guys about their career after their performance on PBS. So, I invite you to watch this amazing video and listen to what the guys have to say about their beginnings and their future!

PBS Spotlight Video – Click Here

The guys have grown in their music and now they continue to bring their bel canto around the world.
We look forward to their 10th Anniversary with PBS. Stay tuned for more stories about Il Volo and PBS as we approach their 10th year of collaboration!

 

Credit to owners of all photos and video.

Article or Video Translations, IL Volo Off Stage

IL VOLO IN INFINITY ROOM 2015 by Daniela

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Since the world situation of Covid-19 infections is arousing so many concerns, I thought I’d translate a carefree old video from 2015.
Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio were in Mexico, the Facebook direct started to be more and more beautiful and long and this one made on December 8, 2015 in the “Infinity Room” shows us some very funny and cheerful guys, in all their spontaneity!!
Enjoy the translation.

IL VOLO Facebook Live – Click Here

P+I+G = Hello! (image is crooked)
G =  Hi everyone!
I = Put it straight, otherwise they won’t see us, Piero, turn it like this.
P = Like this? Yes! (he straightened the image)
G = Hello
P = Hello everyone
I = Hello everybody (he shows the laptop) here we keep the questions.
P = We are in the infinity room.
G = ( He speaks in English)  We must also speak English for the fans, from the US and Canada and Europe. We have all the questions here and we will answer them ……
P = We have all the questions…. also speak Italian …. we have all the questions, in Italy it is 12:05 am, but there are still people awake.
So we will answer all questions ….
I = The problem is that all questions are in Spanish.
P= We answer questions in Spanish in Spanish and questions in Italian …
I = But are all in Spanish !!
P = And then we only answer in Spanish!
G = Of course, because now in Italy it is midnight!
I = Well, the first question (he reads a strange name) but what name is it?
“What did you like most about Mexico in all your visits.”
P = Guacamole (Mexican food)
I = Guacamole?
G = No, come on. We can say, the warmth that when we are in concert, we go to receive, is incredible, the Mexicans are so warm and love us very much and we love them very much too, we remember the concert we did in 2013 in the National Auditorium.
P = Go with the next one.
G = I’m texting my family who sees me live, one second …. (He chat with his family on mobile)
I = Question: “What a Mexican song …….”
P = Wait, wait …. listen, listen to us …. because he tells me that he can’t listen to us …. can you hear us guys ??? Ok!
G = Yes, yes …. my father (he gets up and touches the video) hello dad.
P = Ok they hear us.
I = But wait, if someone has a normal Facebook, can they see us anyway?
P = Yes
I = Ok, if one has normal Facebook …
P = He can see us.
I = … go to Facebook and find Il Volo …
P = Il Volo live …
I = Cool !!!!
I = Well, second question: “What Mexican song do you like and with which Mexican artist would you like to sing?”.
G = (he starts singing a Mexican song)
P = No Hace Falta, all my life, with Cristian Castro, because we have this song on our album (they start singing No Hace Falta).

No Hace Falta – Arena Ciudad de Mexico 2016 – Click Here

G = Good
P = (start greeting some fans connected via Facebook from all the world)
I = So, third question: “Do you like Mexican food?”
P = Why do they always ask for food?
G = Wait, this comment: an hour ago we were in a very good Mexican restaurant, we ate chicken fajitas (typical Mexican dish). Try tweeting Fajitas de pollo, with guacamole and other stuff (kiss his fingers to say the food was very good).
P = There were also … what are the beans called?
I + G = Frijoles  (in Spanish language)
I = So, next question of .. (he reads a very long Spanish name), but a shorter name? no, quite right?
P = Only the first, Mariele. But there are no questions on the album?
G = Greetings from Bergamo (Italian city in Lombardy)
P = Hello from Gela, Rachele. (Gela city of Sicily)
I = Please, do you listen to me or not?
P = Yes we listen to you.
I = “What is it like to be in the world of successful music, all over the world?”
P = It is a great responsibility, because we are always an example to young people of our age …. (Gianluca is half hidden by Piero and continues to chat with his cell phone, Ignazio gives him a pat, to make him understand to stop)..… and we feel it a lot.
I = Karito, from Colombia.
P = Hi Cristina!
I = But if I said Karito, why do you say Cristina?
G = Because he (Piero) is reading on the video.
P = I am greeting people.
I = But listen here, we have the questions!
From Colombia: “What do the fans mean to you?”
G = The fans. I believe that if we are here today, we must thank all of them, for the support they have given us, 5 years have already passed, since we were 15 years old. Today we are 20 years old, a lot of things have changed, look we have grown up, we have a beard, and many of you are women and were girls, and we are growing together and it is a very beautiful thing. 😘
P = (he continues to read the names of the fans that appear on his video)
I = (reads a question) ”The thing that amazed you the most, said by a fan.”
P = Igna, you answer, because I didn’t understand .
I = Well, let’s move on to the next question !! (laughter … and he reads the next question).
“Hi beautiful, I would like to know what you do with all the gifts you have received.”
P = Hello beautiful! We keep them in our home.
G = How much Nutella they gave me.
P = We put them all under the tree (Christmas tree) and we open them on Christmas day.
I = Arboles (he keeps saying the word tree in Spanish -arbole-, adding the final “s”)
G = “Arboles” are two trees, “arbole”, one tree. You have to say “arbole” one.
I = (Ignazio is not at all convinced and keeps on saying “arboles”), but we are three, therefore our “arboles”. 😁
G = You can’t imagine how much Nutella they gave me.
I’m gaining weight, look, I have a belly …. (lifts his shirt to show his belly).
P = Cover up !!
I = The next question is from Venezuela.
“What does the Grande Amore CD mean, to you three?”
P = The Grande Amore CD, for us, is the best CD we have made in our career, because there are also new songs from our repertoire. In truth we are looking forward to coming to concerts in Latin America and around the world, to play our new songs and to listen to you fans, sing our songs………… oh my what an answer !!!
(Ignazio kisses the video).
G = What a fool !!
I = Another question ….
P = Let’s say hello … (he reads several Italian names)
I = (turns to the Italian fans) But what are you still awake at this hour?
P = (he reads Korean names and all three imitate the Korean language, what a confusion)😁😁
G = What is the next question?
P = Hello from Malta !!
I = Another question from Argentina.
“Which song on the new album do you identify with, each of you?”……
I really like SI ME FALTA TU MIRADA, which in Italy is IL TUO SGUARDO MANCA.
P = For all three of us, our favorite song is of course GRANDE AMORE, but we also have other song (Gian’s shirt continues to open on the chest) … do you want to lace up? ……
G = I’m covering up!
P = …..But each of us has a favorite song.
I = You, what song do you identify with on the album?
G = (he starts singing a cappella, SI ME FALTA TU MIRADA)

I = (he says two Italian words, a little vulgar, used in a film by Antonio Albanese, an Italian actor).
P = Come on, Ignazio, there are microphones open !!
I = But I mentioned the words of the actor, Albanese!
G = (laughs loudly and claps his hands) Only Italians understand this.
P = The problem is that there are also Italians in chat! 😁
I = And what’s the problem? Indeed it is beautiful ….. I LOVE YOU !!! (and blow a kiss)
Another question: ……
P = Say hello first. (and starts reading the names on the chat)
G = Greetings to Roseto Montepagano !!
P = Greetings to Naro, province of Agrigento, and you Ignazio ??
I = And I greet all the “Marsalesi” (inhabitants of Marsala ….. and then he lists a series of names of his friends).
G = Sorry, but it takes a moment of madness!
I = Another question from Colombia, but it’s not clear ….
G = (takes his mobile phone because a message has come to him) Look, my mom ….. my mom Eleonora, she sent me a message, I read it: (and shows her mobile phone in the foreground) “leave the phone “….. mum look I’ll put it in my pocket!
I = This question is from Brazil.
P = From Brazil wow, a lot
I = “What are the dreams of Il Volo and your individual dreams?”
P = Il Volo’s greatest dream is to win a Grammy.
G = We came close in 2012, because we had two nominations in 2012 and now let’s see what we get with Grande Amore, we hope to win a Grammy next year.
I = Individual?
P = Individual. My dream  is to sing one day, an opera at the Scala in Milan or at the Metropolitan, it’s my big dream!
G = At the stair ….. (he makes fun Piero for the name of the Scala theater which means stair) …
I = At the emergency exit.
P = (he laughs and points to a stair with his hands) Yes to the stair, it’s the biggest dream for me.
G = And for you Ignazio?
I = You speak, you start.
G = My dream is to always live singing.
It is the dream of a lifetime. To live singing, and sing while living..
I = My dream is to find a beautiful girl, with beautiful long hair, intelligent and why not, who dances.
G = That she dances?
P = What dance, let’s dance!
Wait, let’s say hello to some fans. (and he reads some names)
I = (a message arrives on his cell phone and he reads the name aloud) There is Sonia Mosca, hello Sonia !!!
G = Sonia wrote to me too, bye Sonia.
P = Hi Sonia, have you forgotten about me? (he checks his cell phone), yeah you forgot me, really !!
G = You see that there are also many Italians.
I = (He screams) There are so many questions still …..
G = Ignazio, don’t scream!
P = (He shows his cell phone) Sonia wrote to me too, ciao bella!!
I = Piero, can I? Another question: “What is the most important thing in your life now?”
P = One answer each. For me FAMILY and MUSIC!
G = The same thing, the negative part of this life, is the distance from the family, but on the tours they accompany us, we stay out for 4/5 months and my dad accompanies me and then later, my mom too.
(He sees his brother in chat)
My brother, hello Erne, (he blows a kiss), hello Erne, I love you, even to grandfather Ernesto.
I = For me it is important: my family, my sister, another person, …. stop it (he says to Gianluca) ……. and if I were a Miss:  the peace, in the world!
P = (He laughs) …. peace, in the world!
Wait Ignazio, five more greetings (and reads more names, also Italians names, one is Martina)
G = Hi Martina …. what a beautiful name Martina..
I = Ok, another question: “What is the good part of your career?”
P = There are negative things and positive things. The bad thing is that we see little of our family.
G = I already said that.
P = And the good thing is when people think of us, the fans who wait for us outside the hotels and sing our songs, and they don’t make us feel alone.
I = Another question from Lupita Chavez.
P = Hi Lupita.
G = I have to say goodbye to Elisa, a friend of mine, bye Elisa!
I = Can I? “What inspires you, every day?”
P = Hi Irene!
G = Hi Irene.
(To Ignazio) Repeat the question.  
I = “What inspires you, every day?” Well, it’s the affection and the love that the fans make us feel ….. (look at his face in the video) I only see half of my face and the back …… and the love for the music.
P = E L’AMOR VERDADERO ! (L’AMORE SI MUOVE in Spanish, and they start singing a cappella.)

G = The next question?
I = From Venezuela “What are you doing, in a moment of maximum tension?”
P = Listening to music. (The boys joke about what to do to release the tension and Ignazio also names Ercole).
Next question.
Ok, guys calm down, and cool blood (Italian way of saying to mean to calm down and don’t lose control).
G = I apologize for Ignazio, who at times cannot control his instincts.
P = Has no self-control.
G = Exactly, so we apologize.
I = But sorry for what? The spontaneity you two don’t have?
G = (At this moment he is very close to Piero, hugging Piero and giving him a little kiss).

P = Aho !! What are these little kisses?
I = Can I? (refers to continue reading questions)
P = Wait Ignazio, we greet ten people (list the names).
G = Lara from Malta, hello Lara!! People are asking that we go to Peru.
I = A Lima, so I arrange my hands!
Question: “I’m from Puerto Rico, what is your favorite animal and why?”
For me, the horse !!
G = Ignazio really likes the horse.
I = The horse and the dog. I have to buy a beautiful one, a cocker spaniel (Franz?)
G = I like ??? ….. Piero what do you like?
P = You say it first.
G = The dog, but also the cat.
P = At home I keep a …. how do you say turtle? (they mention a beautiful Italian song LA GATTA by Gino Paoli) ….. wait, how do you say turtle?
I + G = Tortuga
P = I have kept two turtles at home for at least five years, but I enjoy it a lot ………. (at that moment Barbara enters with a note that passes to Ignazio, the boys read interested)
P = What happens?
I = I don’t know!
G = Ah, yes, we must remember …… practically secretly they sent us a note where it says: “Remember the photo with you on December 10 in Piazza Loreto at 6 pm.”
I + P = Of course, of course !!
G = So, on December 10th, we will sign the autographs, in Piazza Loreto, here in Mexico City.
P = At 6 pm, we will sign all the GRANDE AMORE CD, we can take selfies, and we can greet all the fans. We want it very much.
I = Another question: “What do you do at home, when you have free time?”
G = What we do ….. because we are always traveling.
We do nothing when we are on vacation at our house, we are with our family, with our friends, especially now, during Christmas Time. Christmas is coming and so we can’t wait to be home with the family, with the people we love.
I = The question is what you like to do in your spare time.
G + P = Being with the family.
P = Ignazio, listen when we speak. (Then he greets a dozen fans.)
I = I’m dying of heat, I have a boil! (and he takes off his sweater, Gian laughs).

P = (He starts singing PIOVE and immediately Gian and Ignazio join a cappella, then continue singing SMILE. Gian wants them to sing it softly, Ignazio and Piero collaborate, but in the end they laugh).
G = Why are you laughing, it was beautiful.
P = I know, but I felt like laughing. (and he starts to repeat the ending of the song)
I = Again??? But what do we do:  the replay???
G = Why are you two doing this, there are people who look at us and think “But these guys are crazy!!”
(Then he reads a question on the video chat.) 
“Hi guys, I don’t know if you answered any of my questions, the internet is very slow, and I can’t see it live.”
I = Put the fiber optic, my love. However we said … another question, from Mexico: “How do you prepare, before starting a concert?”
P = Well, let’s get ready by doing exercises to warm up our voice. We don’t talk and we don’t scream and we do vocalizations. And then we shake our hands, like that. (They clench their three hands in one fist.)
G = Easy, Ignazio, you hurt me!
I = But is Piero, not me! The last three questions.
P = Come on Ignazio, the penultimate (next to the last).
I = (He can’t even begin to read the question as Piero begins to greet the fans). But Piero, damn you stop me every time.
G = Wait, there is a girl who asks me: “Tell me a sentence in the Abruzzese language.”
Ignazio, you know the Abruzzese, what would you say?
I = (He pronounces a sentence I don’t understand.)

G = But this is more of the language of Teramo. (another city in Abruzzo where the language is slightly different.)
P = (He speaks in the Abruzzese language.) And, how are you, are you okay?
G = Exactly, even better. (he reads a comment) “Gianluca, you have to get married with a sweet wife.”
P = (reads a series of names again, then all three speak at the same time)

G = Guys we make too much noise.
P = A girl tells me to say something in Sicilian.
I = Pirri-ciucio (Sicilian dialect word)
P = Guys the “pirri-ciucio”. The day before yesterday I had to explain to Ignatius what pirri-ciucio is.
I = A word that is used only in Naro!
P = The pirri-ciucio, would be a pirolino (Gian laughs embarrassed). This one, for example, (he points to the small button on Gian’s shirt) would be a pirri-ciucio.
(Ignazio continues to joke about the meaning of pirri-ciucio so Gianluca and Piero ask the fans to forgive Ignazio. Gianluca moves, in order to hide Ignazio.)

I = (reads the question) “What do you remember from the first time you went on stage?
P = The first time was in Atlantic City.
I = Bravo!
G = Caroline, a kiss!
I = You haven’t finished the question!
G = Ignazio, they ask that you sing something by Pino Daniele.
I = But why do you also have to tell me what to sing? (He starts to sing, but Gian suggests he sing “Napule”.)
G = Something beautiful, come on.
I = Why do I have to sing … but what do I have to sing?
G = Sing come on. Napule is ….. (he mentions the beginning of Napule)
I = No, I’ve already sung Napule.
G = Then “Quanno chiove” (other Pino Daniele’s song)

I = No, let me think ….. (and starts singing “Resta Cu ‘mmè” by Pino Daniele, Gian and Piero also follow the performance of the song.)
G + P = Bravo Ignazio. Last question.
I = From Colombia: “What is the most shameful thing that happened to you on stage?”
P = It happened to me in Cuernavaca (Mexico City), when the night before we had talked all night and the next day on the stage …
I = You know what? What’s the name of the part here with the zip (and he mimics the sliding of a zip).
G = Zip
I = In Verona, when we did the concert in Verona, on September 23rd, I kept the zip open!
P = Noo!!
I = Yes!!
G = It is nice to see that there are also many Italians, also because it is not very late.
P = Guys, last goodbyes, twenty people …
G = Piero, wait, I want to explain. There are 7 hours difference from Mexico to Italy. Here it is 05:36 pm, so, thanks to all the Italians who are following us. It’s late at night in Italy, so thank you all.
P = (starts singing ANCORA, the song in the first few words says, “it’s high night and I’m awake ….” and all three sing, a cappella.  Ignazio, to Gianluca’s disappointment, begins to sing the first verse in Sicilian 😁, then they sing together in their version, the second verse.)
Barbara enters and says that Michele has sent a message.
The three are happy and scream:
I = Hi Michele!
P = Michele, the Torpedine.
G = Greetings to Michele Torpedine.
P = Dear Michele, we miss you.
I = Our manager’s favorite song is ODIO L’ESTATE (and they start singing it).
G = Anyway I wanted to tell you that Michele Torpedine is a great manager, he discovered Andrea Bocelli and many others such as Giorgia, Zucchero and others. We send greetings to Michele Torpedine.
P = The most important thing is that Michele has discovered Il Volo.
Hi Michele, we send you a big kiss from Mexico. See you next week in Italy.
Now let’s say hello to all our fans, let’s quickly list some names.
G = Let’s end our live chat with GRANDE AMORE. (All together they sing a cappella GRANDE AMORE and at the end they say goodbye to everyone and send kisses.)
I started this translation at least a month ago, but then it was put aside, because the concert event in Rome in 2021 was announced.
Now, since there is no news, I resumed the translation and finished it, hoping to give you a breath of lightness and lightheartedness, in this period of viruses and contagions, which is hard for everyone.
It was nice for me to see so much joy and spontaneity in these three guys, just back from the victory in Sanremo.
Will these carefree times return?
Looking forward to a big event in June, enjoy watching and reading this video and tell me your impressions !!
Daniela

 

Credit to owners of all photos and videos.

Article or Video Translations, General news

Il Volo Off to the Races Again By Giovanna

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The November stage of the 2020 Formula 1 Grand Prix had some special guests.  Il Volo was invited to sing the Italian National Anthem before the start of the Sunday, November 1 race to re-inaugurate the Ferrari Imola Course in Emilia-Romagna, which is hosting its first competition after years of renovation.   Down below, there’s link to Il Volo’s pre-race performance below for you to enjoy.

The Imola Course is only 25 miles east of Ignazio’s home in Bologna.  We all know that the Il Volo guys, especially Ignazio, have a love of fast machines in general, and Formula 1 racing in particular.  This was Ignazio during their 2019 summer off, at the Red Bull Formula 1 race car “stable,” and the Triscina Go-cart Track.  La Vela’s photo is just Igna being his usual self with children.

If you’re not familiar with Formula 1 racing, here’s the short story.  To quote my son Barry, “It’s the fastest cars in the world on the toughest, curviest tracks on earth.  It’s the best of the best.”  Spoken like an Italian.

If you didn’t know, the Ferrari course at Imola has not hosted Formula 1 racing for 14 years. The translated article below explains why. 

The Enzo and Dino Ferrari International Racetrack hosted Formula 1 for the last time in 2006. In the same year, the reconstruction and modernization work began, which lasted throughout 2007. The pit area was completely rebuilt; the only surviving building is the historic and former Marlboro Tower (now sponsored by Aruba). The changes to the route, carried out under the direction of the architect Hermann Tilke, led to the elimination of the “Lower Variant” for cars. Over the years, work has been carried out to adapt the track to the increasingly high standards required to host international competitions. This led to obtaining the Grade 1 License necessary to host Formula 1.

Author’s note: Next is a translation of two articles and the lead photo that appeared in the Italian media this week announcing Il Volo’s appearance to sing the Italian national anthem (il Inno di Mameli). 

IL VOLO OFF TO THE EMILIA ROMAGNA FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX TO PERFORM THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

The boys of Il Volo Chosen to Perform the National Anthem on the Occasion of the Emilia Romagna Formula 1 Grand Prix Set for November 1. 

The guys from Il Volo will sing the National Anthem before the Emirates Formula 1 Grand Prix in Emilia Romagna, a beautiful event two months after having excited the audience of the Verona Arena at the Seat Music Awards.  Music and sport, an essential combination which is often talked about together.  Power cars are undoubtedly an expertise of our country, and in particular the Formula 1 world championship represents an important opportunity to highlight the “Made in Italy” brand.

In this untypical sports season, Italy has been home to three (race) stages.  After the two already staged in Monza and Mugello, Formula 1 will be on November 1 in Imola on the historic racetrack dedicated to Enzo and Dino Ferrari.

To celebrate a return of the highest category of auto racing to Imola, the trio of Il Volo was chosen, specifically to emphasize the importance of “Made in Italy.”  A performance to the notes of the national anthem at the Dino Ferrari International Racetrack will get the television audience excited, before concentrating on the curves and straights of the racetrack on the banks of the Santerno.

Author’s note: A few years ago, when Piero cut off the long “cuiffo” (flipped up curl) that he used to wear on the front of his hair, he explained on Instagram, “I got rid of it because it felt like I was wearing the last turn of the racecourse at Mugello on my head.”  Does anybody remember this look?

By the way, the boys have performed at the Grand Prix before.  The Flight Crew covered their visit to a Grand Prix a few years ago, at the Etihad Airlines Track in Abu Dhabi in the Emirates, pictured here.

Is it obvious which two love cars, and which one loves clothes?

On with the articles!

IL VOLO GOES TO THE EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAN PREMIO (GRAND PRIX)

Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble have agreed with enthusiasm to participate in this prestigious event.  The three guys are long-time fans of Formula 1 and proud to represent Italy.

From the boys themselves:

“It is an honor for us to have been invited to the Grand Prix and to once again interpret the Mameli anthem (Italy’s national anthem). Every time we’ve had this opportunity, it was not easy to hide our emotions!  We thank the President of Formula Imola, Uberto Selvatico Estense, and wish a big ‘ in bocca al lupo’ to all the drivers.”

If you don’t know that expression, it’s literally “Into the wolf’s mouth” and is the Italian way of saying “Good luck.”   

The President of Formula Imola, Uberto Selvatico Estense, continues.

“I am really pleased to publicly announce that Il Volo will perform the Mameli Anthem at the next Formula 1 Grand Prix in Imola on November 1, 2020.

This magnificent singing trio has characterized Italian music and culture throughout the world for some time.  So, who better than they could interpret the Italian anthem, thrilling the world-wide spectators of the most awaited Grand Prix of the season.

A special thanks, as well as to the artists, to their manager Michele Torpedine for the great willingness and enthusiasm in supporting the initiative that marks the return of Formula 1 to Imola after 14 years.  This is another opportunity to listen to the music of Il Volo, as we wait for the 2021 tour.

From the author:  Even the Italian car fanatics are proud of Il Volo.  This extra clip is excerpted from “FormulaPassion.It” web page:

The Trio Will Do the Pre-Show at the Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna This Coming Sunday

Il Volo has been invited to open the Emiglia Romagna Grand Prix, which kicks off Sunday November 1 at the Enzo and Dino International Autodrome of Imola.   The trio will perform the opening ceremony interpreting Mameli’s anthem to pay homage to the drivers arrayed near the starting line.

Author: You can tell the Il Volo guys were excited about this.  Starting at 3:30 AM my cell phone Instagram kept lighting up with videos of the pits, crews, and tracks, by the Il Volo guys or whichever relatives were with them doing the filming.   I had videos of the pits and “stables” coming up on my phone at the same time as the ESPN professional filming of the same areas, and some of the ones from Il Volo were noisier and more exciting.  Here’s one to check out.

All the guys got into video selfie-ing in the pit areas.  Here’s one of Piero.

In the Italian media this week, Piero said that one reason Il Volo was proud to sing the national anthem was that so many Italian young (and old) people have been singing it together at twilight from their balconies and doorways as an act of unity during this epoch of isolation and social distancing.  Il Volo also sets an example by approaching every public appearance and gathering place masked, just like the announcers and race drivers today.

So here is the link to the pre-race announcement and Il Volo’s singing of the Inno di Mameli.

Although the anthem has five verses, they sang only the first verse and refrain, as is typical at sports events, so we didn’t get to hear them for very long.  Note that the guys did not do any rephrasing or very sophisticated harmonies, but presented the national anthem formally and traditionally, befitting its serious and very spiritual lyrics.  It was lovely nonetheless, and punctuated beautifully by the air force fighter jet flyover. 

In the clip, the announcer explains that Il Volo will present the national anthem and there will be a flyover in honor of Enzo Ferrari. He adds after that the four aircraft are Eurofighters from the combat wing of Grosseto who are flying a circuit of the race course.  He describes the beautiful sunny day at this venue which has been key in writing the story of motorsport and which has seen some of its greatest racing competitions.  Then he argued that the naysayers who said we wouldn’t have this event this year, or next, were wrong, because we did it and it’s here.  His partner adds that the most exciting thing we could do for the drivers and for the 100th Formula 1 Grand Prix was to bring in Il Volo.  No argument there.

It was a very tense and exciting race.  Team Mercedes Benz has dominated Formula 1 for six or seven years.  On the Imola course, five or six drivers had serious mechanical issues and mandatory DNFs (Did Not Finish), for problems including (two) front wings shearing off, a coolant system failure, shredded tires, and even cold brakes in a pit stop that knocked a crew mechanic into a back somersault.  Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, managed to do a very close overtake (pass) splitting the two Mercedes leaders, got himself into second place, and held it a dozen laps, nearly guaranteeing a second place on the podium and nearly breaking up the expected Mercedes one-two finish.  Then he punctured a tire, and spun off the track with three broken rims and a wrecked chassis. 

The Imola track, on the left, was once the site of two driver deaths in one weekend 1994, Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger.  In memory or in caution, drivers from several teams had their helmets or steering columns blessed before the race.  Strangely, despite the multiple grindings and spin outs today, there was not a single injury.

Before the race, the entire field of drivers made pre-recorded statements and took a knee on the track to demand an end to racism.  Il Volo held their opening anthem until after these ceremonial acts of solidarity.  In a fitting conclusion, Lewis Hamilton, who piloted the winning Mercedes car, happens to be a person of color.

In the midst of all the excitement, Gianluca found the time to post a picture of him and Ernie, which was captioned “You’re the other half of me.”  Papa Ercole posted best wishes “Little Man.” Mamma Eleonora posted an old video of a little boy tossing his bicycle and running to her camera.  Why?  Yesterday, November 1, was Ernie Ginoble’s birthday.  Tanti auguri e Buon Compleanno, Ernie! 

Author’s note: Il Volo is “off to the races again” in another way, too.  Embedded in one of the Italian news clippings last week was a link to Il Volo’s 2021 European tour schedule.  Stay tuned.  In another Flight Crew article, we’ll share whatever know about it.

Giovanna

Credit to owners of all photos and videos.