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General news

IL VOLO ON CALDEIRAO DO MION by Daniela

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On 21 January Il Volo was a guest in an episode of the Brazilian show CALDEIRAO DO MION presented by Marcos Mion.
The show was probably recorded before the Christmas holidays and only now broadcast.
Gianluca Ignazio and Piero are in excellent shape, dressed in informal clothes, beautiful, good and nice as always.
Here is the video.

(I start by saying that I can’t speak Portuguese, but I’ll try to translate roughly the sense of the pleasant conversation between Il Volo and Marcos.)
After the beautiful presentation, Il Volo enters the scene and immediately sings Volare.
At the end of the song Ignazio thanks in Portuguese, Marcos is amazed that Ignazio speaks Portuguese and Ignazio confirms that he speaks Portuguese and then there is a nice exchange between Ignazio and Marcos, because Ignazio tells the Marcos that he doesn’t understand why in Brazil, but also all over the world, when people try to speak Italian, the voice goes “eeeeeee” and they move their hands (and Ignazio imitates the way they move their hands).
IGNAZIO= But the Italians don’t do that. 😁
MARCOS= It’s my technique, because I have been in Italy for a long time with my family. (Marcos speaks alternating even a little in Italian)

GIANLUCA= You speak well (he means in Italian, while Ignazio makes fun of Marcos for the way he speaks Italian – laughter) 😁
(An exchange of sentences begins between Gianluca and Marcos who finish the sentences in the Italian and Portuguese way)
IGNAZIO= (he introduces himself into the discourse between Gian and Marcos) Do you know that ….OA…it’s the typical Sicilian way?
MARCOS= Yes, good, good.
IGNAZIO= (he says a few sentences in Sicilian marking the final ….OA)
MARCOS= You sing a lot…
IGNAZIO=…we are singers!!! 😁😁😁 If we were dancers, we danced a lot. 😁
MARCOS= Yes, you sing a lot, what music????
IGNAZIO= Music!!! 😁😁
MARCOS= Do you sing a capella?
IGNAZIO= Ah, a cappella… (and Gianluca immediately intones a piece of Il Mondo, great applause)
MARCOS= Bravo!! The audience gets up to applaud Il Volo.
PIERO= Thank you!

MARCOS= (addressing Ignazio) Translate for them (but then invites a translator named Marcelo.)

MARCELO= He (Marcos) asks if you can help him make a presentation in Italian.
PIERO= The important thing is that he talks like this (tightening the pronunciation)
MARCELO= (to Marcos) Don’t close the pronunciation.
MARCOS= Okay
(Ignazio suggests something to Marcos. The writing in Italian appears on the bottom: CALDERONE CON MIOZZONE )
Open the tarpaulin CAULDRON WITH MIOZZONE
(Then the music of an Italian tarantella starts and Marcos re-enters the stage saying and singing in Italian)
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to CALDERONE , I am the hottest presenter on Brazilian television.”
IGNAZIO= You know what I say, that you are the best presenter of Brazilian television.
MARCOS= Ladies and gentlemen, they have arrived, sing again!
IGNAZIO= Yes, we still sing, we know that there are many fans of Roberto Carlos (famous Brazilian singer-songwriter) here.
MARCOS= Wow wow
IGNAZIO= And so we’re going to sing COMO VAI VOCE (their new single is a song by Roberto Carlos) .
MARCOS= COMO VAI VOICE, it’s very nice, and it’s the first time.
PIERO= It’s the first time we sing in a TV program in Portuguese, so please forgive us for the pronunciation.
MARCELO= (translates what Piero said)
MARCOS= It will be black. Go sing. Ladies and gentlemen, here at Calderone, Il Volo. (start the song)
MARCOS= Marvelous, it was beautiful….(he embraces everyone).…I am ….as they say fascinated…
IGNAZIO = in love
MARCOS= I’m in love, it was beautiful, impressed.
GIANLUCA= Thank you very much, thank you.
IGNAZIO= You are invited to our concert this year and all of you to the concerts (Piero intervenes)
PIERO= I know the dates (and he list the dates)
MARCOS= It was very exciting, there was also a show in the audience, very beautiful.
IGNAZIO = Thank you very much.
MARCOS= Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca: Il Volo!! Thanks, thanks, thanks.

Then, Il Volo was interviewed via video by a Brazilian journalist for the newspaper Metropoles.
Or rather, Piero and Ignazio have been interviewed, because Gianluca is not present. The interviewer and also Piero speak in English, so I try to translate Ignazio’s answers, who replies in Portuguese.

To the first question, Ignazio replies that for Il Volo it has always been said that their music is a combination of opera and pop, but in truth they are three singers who sing traditional Italian music and traditional music from all over the world, such as in this last single where we sing the music of the great maestro Roberto Carlos, “Como vai voce”. They have always sung traditional music from all over the world, so that the new generation can get to know it.
To the third question, Ignazio says that it will be the first time they sing in Portuguese on tour, (Piero corrects Ignazio by saying that it is only a song in Portuguese) and as always there is a lot of emotion, but they are also happy because the pandemic had forbidden them to sing in Brazil.
To the fourth question, Ignazio replies that they haven’t had much time to visit Brasilia, they have only seen the hotels where they were staying, but they want to take some time to visit Brasilia, which is also the capital of Brazil.
At this point the interviewer apologizes to Piero but wants to have a word with Ignazio in Portuguese.
So he tells Ignazio that he speaks Portuguese very well and understands it well and then asks him if he understood what the song “Como vai voce” means for Brazilian culture.
Ignazio replies that almost two months ago, they came to Brazil for a private event and the first thing he said to Piero was “I feel at home”, he has a strong connection with Brazil, because he had a sweetheart, now he doesn’t anymore. He had lived Brazil, not only in terms of tourism, but like the Brazilian people and he understood a lot about the sensitivity, the happiness, the naturalness of knowing how to live with little, he understood a lot about how they face life, it’s different, it reminds him a lot southern Italy, and perhaps for this reason he feel at home and have a strong connection with Brazil.
When asked next, Ignazio says that music can help to get through a difficult moment. Il Volo uses different languages, they’ve always done the Spanish language versions, because they have to create a connection with the people, it’s very important. Singing in other languages is not very difficult if there is training. To sing in Portuguese they had a Brazilian coach in Milan, and it wasn’t that difficult.
The only problem is that Ignazio learned Portuguese from Carioca (hence with a markedly different pronunciation), but it was nice, and so he asks if he has any advice for him?
Sufficient!
To the following question the interviewer asks Ignazio if he loves samba and pagode (type of music) and Ignazio confirms that he loves samba and all Brazilian music, he says that he has listened to a lot of music of that kind.
The interviewer asks if there will be a version of Il Volo with pagode, so Piero asks what pagode is and Ignazio explains that it is like a typical Brazilian reggaeton.
Finally Ignazio sends a greeting to the fans in Portuguese, he says that they are very happy to come and give a concert in Brazil, especially after the pandemic, and will also come and sing in Portuguese for the first time, even if only one song. They thank a lot for the support of the fans, who are always very present.
Final greetings from the interviewer.

 

Very nice this collage by Frances Cummings!
And these instead are the beautiful words of Gianluca in another internet interview.
Gianluca Interview – Click Here
Our young men always have nice words and stand out for being able to give interviews and interpret songs in different languages, truly admirable!
I had already anticipated that rumors said that Il Volo would be the guest of a broadcast on Italian TV, here is the confirmation.
Saturday, 4 February Il Volo will be a guest in the show “C’è posta per te” on Canale 5.
So see you soon with the video and the translation of what will be said to “C’è posta per te” (You’ve Got Mail).
Daniela  🤗

 

Credit to owners of all photos and videos.

General news

TWO FLAGS, THREE HEARTS by Daniela

23 Comments
Always looking for something interesting to offer you, while I finished the translation of the Bosky TV video for you, I found this beautiful and interesting interview that Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca had before the American tour.
It was written by Umberto Mucci and published by WE THE ITALIANS.
Maybe not all of you have read it and so here it is.
Enjoy the reading. ☺
TWO FLAGS, THREE HEARTS 💗💗💗
In 2015 I attended my first National Italian American Foundation Gala in Washington, DC. Somewhat intimidated by the size of the venue, the 2,000 hosts in tuxedos or evening gowns, and the importance of those in attendance, I discovered that at my table were CEOs and managers of the highest caliber, with their respective spouses.
My surprise, was great, when the time came for the musical performance, I saw them snapping to their feet and dancing enthusiastically. Driving them crazy with joy and Italian pride were three young very talented Italian boys, Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero: Il Volo. I will never forget it, which is also why I am happy and proud to welcome them on “We the Italians”, on the eve of their new prestigious fall tour in the United States.

IL VOLO on stage

Ciao ragazzi! Thanks for being on We the Italians. How did you meet and how did you start singing together?
We met in 2009 on a RAI television show called “Ti Lascio Una Canzone” (I Leave You a Song). The producer of this television show heard these three boys with adult voices and decided to put our three voices together and remember the three tenors in a nice way, asking us to sing “O Sole Mio”. That was the first song that we sang together, and from that Italian program that had great success with the audience and online shares, we were catapulted into the American market, signing a contract with a major American label, Iterscope, part of Universal Music. Ours was 100% the famous American dream. We signed the American contract and recorded our first album, Il Volo. And from there our artistic journey began.

A young IL VOLO on stage

Were you in love with America since you were children?
For sure the greatest curiosity, as children, was to see the cars and the streets, and the yellow taxis, because we had always seen them in films and television: the first that comes to mind is “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” So the yellow taxis, the immense six-lane roads, and the huge cars are the first memories as children that we have of the curiosity to one day see America: we are from three different parts of Italy, none of which had these things.
We were very small. It was difficult to dream of anything else at that age. Obviously even as a child thinking of going to America was difficult, we wondered how many hours the trip lasted … but when we were children we also listened to Elvis Presley and of course Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, because our parents also passed on to us the passion for American music. Some of us also have some relatives in America, like a large part of the Italians living in Italy. It all seemed so far away then, but instead then in the end we lived it and we continue to live it every day and it’s fantastic.

IL VOLO on a New York City street

What names do you give me, if I ask you your favorite Italian American singer or group?
The greatest Italian American singers that we admire are Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, and also Michael Bublé, who even though is Canadian sings in English and it’s the same continent. Moreover, two of us, Ignazio and Piero, are Sicilian like Frank Sinatra and Lady Gaga, while Gianluca has Abruzzese origins like Perry Como, Dean Martin and Michael Bublé. Instead Tony Bennett is of Calabrese descent.
IL VOLO with Lady GaGa and Tony Bennett
How many concerts have you put on in the United States up to now? What memory do you have or your past US tours? 
We think we have put on about 350/400 concerts in America, in our 13-year career, considering that our first tour had 55/60 dates, and then we did tours of about 20/30 concerts every year. The nicest thing is that obviously the descendants of the Italians who emigrated are, everywhere, our first fans, and they always show us a lot of affection.
The tradition of Italians abroad is exceptional, even subsequent generations retain the Italian blood, the attachment to our country. But it is also true that our type of music, as Pavarotti and Bocelli teach us, manages to conquer not only the Italian abroad but also the real American or the Japanese or Brazilian who have no Italian origins. This is sometimes striking. When we travel the world, of course we find many people who have Italian origins, however most of our audience is not Italian and it is amazing how the strength of this type of music – like when you sing ”Nessun Dorma” – is that it completely breaks through any cultural and linguistic barrier. This is the strength of Italian music, of our vocalism, of the Italian musical genre.

IL VOLO on stage during their last tour with IL VOLO in lights behind them

Is there an anecdote, a curiosity, something nice that you want to tell about your musical adventures in America among Italian Americans? 
Well, it was exciting to meet Dean Martin’s daughter in New York. Perhaps the best anecdote happened in Los Angeles. We were there on our tour with Barbra Streisand, and we were in this barbershop for men but also hairdresser for women to get our hair cut. Next to us a lady was looking at us from the mirror and at one point she told us: “Ah, tomorrow night you will be performing here in L.A.”.  We say yes, not knowing who she is. And the hairdresser, who was cutting our hair, trying to signal us without being seen by the lady, wanted me to understand that this lady was a famous person. We ask the lady if she will come to see us, but she does not answer us. In short, in the end the hairdresser reveals that that was Priscilla Presley, Elvis’s wife. In the end we invited her to the concert and a great friendship was born from there.

IL VOLO with Priscilla Presley

Let’s talk about the 2022 tour. Let’s remind our readers the dates and cities of your concerts and how they can purchase tickets if they haven’t already done so. 
They can find all the details and can purchase tickets for all the dates on our website. The tour was originally planned for the spring of this year but was postponed to September and October because of Covid.
The tour starts in Canada and arrives in Detroit, MI September 10; Cleveland, OH September 12; Chicago, IL September 13; Indianapolis, IN September 15; Uncasville, CT September 17; Boston, MA September 20; Atlantic City, NJ September 23; Oxon Hill, MD September 25; New York, NY September 27; Bethlehem, PA September 29; Atlanta, GA October 2; Fort Myers, FL October 4; Clearwater, FL October 7; Sunrise, FL October 9; Phoenix, AZ October 13; and finally Los Angeles, CA October 15.

IL VOLO poster

What is your favorite song to sing in your American concerts? Is there one that you do as a tribute to an Italian-American artist? 
Perhaps one of the most beautiful moments is when we sing “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin or “Caruso” by Lucio Dalla, and of course also “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. Perhaps the most exciting moment is “Nessun Dorma”. Because now, we are sorry for those who perhaps think differently but we believe we must be realistic, “Nessun Dorma” is now considered a song. When our fans hear “Nessun Dorma” they have been waiting for it from the beginning of the concert, and they know that this is the ending. When we finish singing it there is a great standing ovation. For us it is really a great joy to sing it, always, but we understand that it is the same also for those who came to hear us.

Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra

Il Volo sings Morricone: a great success dedicated to an extraordinary and unforgettable Italian master. Can you tell me the emotions you felt in paying homage to such a gigantic Italian? 
It is authoritative, elite music, which gives great prestige to our repertoire, brings us a musical level up that expands our repertoire, which is already an elegant and varied repertoire. This further upgrade for us also means a new and greater responsibility and musical maturity, progress.  In our repertoire we try to represent Italian music but not only that, we also sing “My Way” by Frank Sinatra and “Smile “by Charlie Chaplin, in addition to ”Nessun Dorma” and “O Sole Mio”. So in addition to representing Italy, we try to represent what it is the bel canto from all points of view. Now let’s add these incredible soundtracks that have been a fundamental and beloved part of the most important films in the history of cinema. For us it is a matter of pride to give a further touch of prestige and elegance to each project. 

IL VOLO sings Morricone CD

Would you like to send a greeting to the many Italian-American readers of We the Italians? 
Of course. Obviously we are very young to know directly the stories of these people, who are sons and daughters and grandchildren of courageous people who emigrated from Italy to America with a lot of courage, trying to find luck and their way. We have enormous respect for these Italians and their ancestors, and it will certainly be nice to be able to meet them around America at our concerts. We will see them in September or October, depending on which city they live in. We want to thank them for the great support they have always shown us in our 13-year career.

IL VOLO in blue suits singing on stage

We the Italians logo

Meanwhile the staff of Il Volo continues to announce new dates for the 2023 tour, here is the ever-increasing list for now…………of course I’m crossing my fingers for some Italian dates!!
Here are the confirmed dates to date:

2023 Latin America concert dates

Furthermore, the date of May 27 in Krakow, Poland has already been confirmed.
It is clear that from the end of March to May, other dates will be added, and will you go to any of these concerts?
Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca are also working on some new projects or music, as Gianluca tells us in this photo:

#Repost @gianginoble11
making some new music

And then, as already anticipated in December, Il Volo released a song by Roberto Carlos, entitled COMO VAI VOCÊ, available only for Brazil.

IL VOLO - COMO VAI VOCÊ cover photo

Very sweet song!!

And from this video message from Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio announcing the new single, we are waiting for a surprise for February 17th!!! ❤❤❤
Last thing.
I found this short piece of “I COLORI DELL’AMORE” sung by our boys, from which the musical base has been removed, and therefore we only hear the voices……..chills…..those wonderful voices!!! 😘😘😘

~ Click Here to listen ~

Really nice interview, I really liked the introduction and the title: “Two Flag, Three hearts”, very apt indeed .😊
Your interpretation of Roberto Carlos’ song is very beautiful. 😊
“Guys, we hope for new music and we are here ready to listen to what you will do and it will surely be well done!!” 😘
Your South American tour will be fantastic, your fans have been waiting for you for three years. 😊
Then there are rumors, for now, that speak of a presence of Il Volo, as guests in an episode of an Italian television program ….. we will keep you updated. 😉
That’s all for now, see you soon:
Daniela 🤗

 

Credit to owners of all photos and videos.

General news, Ignazio

TOGETHER IS BETTER by Daniela

32 Comments
Surely you have already had the opportunity to see this video, and I know that the video also has the possibility of having the translation, but as I know that some of you have difficulty activating this function, I preferred to translate this very special moment of which our Ignazio had us participate, also in order to explain the situation well and the words that are said. So, I hope I’ve done something that you like. ☺
But first I want to translate this message from Ignazio, which anticipates the video.
IGNAZIO = Guys, the video just came out on you tube.
We went to visit some children at the Bellaria hospital, didn’t we, Pelle? Is the video out?
PELLE = Ah, yes!
IGNAZIO = We went to visit some children at the Bellaria hospital, together with an association called BIMBOTU. Watch it, click the link below, it’s a beautiful video, it was very nice to go and find these children, we brought some things, watch it, it’s very exciting, I was excited to see it again.
PELLE = Me too. I enjoyed watching it again and importantly, watch it all the way to the end, and it’s the first in a long series.
IGNAZIO = And subscribe to the channel, it’s free, on you tube. Bye, watch it!!

(The scene begins with Ignazio and his friend Stefano , called Pelle, taking some boxes).
IGNAZIO = Are you ready?
PELLE = I’m here, born ready.
(They get into the car and while Ignazio is driving, he contacts someone by telephone)
IGNAZIO = Good morning Alice.
ALICE = Good morning
IGNAZIO = Hello, first of all, Bellaria San Lazzaro right? (it is the name of the place that Ignazio is reaching).
I’m not doing bullshit (Italian way of saying he’s not wrong).
ALICE = You’re Ignazio, right?
IGNAZIO = Yes,
ALICE = Because I didn’t save the number (phone number). Okay, sorry. Yes, we are in Bellaria San Lazzaro.
IGNAZIO = We’ll be right there, we’ll be there in a minute. (Ignazio and Pelle arrive in front of the entrance to the structure, Giulia is waiting for them).
How are you?
GIULIA = Good.
IGNAZIO = We are very happy.
GIULIA = Well, so are we.
IGNAZIO = We woke up energetic, he was at 10.37 am, but he woke up.
GIULIA = Blessed are you. (Together they enter the ISNB structure, Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna).
Welcome to our department. (being a hospital ward, everyone wears surgical masks) This is our kitchen that we have set up for the kids and families who live here. (It is a support structure for the hospital, where children who undergo therapies and also their families are hosted). Every now and then we do some workshops.
IGNAZIO = Sometimes we could come and cook, he’s the cook.
GIULIA = Really?
PELLE = In fact, I was watching because I’m curious and I’m liking it.
GIULIA = Ah, excellent.
IGNAZIO= Whenever you want, you call me and say “Ignà, when you want, come and cook”, and we’ll come here to cook for you. I have an idea (of what to do) and you cook (Pelle).
(Ignazio and Pelle brought boxes of sweets to be delivered to the children/teenagers present)
Hi Angelica, (a young girl who is hosted in the structure) I’m Ignazio and he……
PELLE = I’m Stefano.
IGNAZIO = …..his name is Stefano, but everyone calls him Pelle. (Pelle = Skin)
ANGELICA = Why?
IGNAZIO = Since his surname is a bit disgusting, Pellegatta (Catskin).... so everyone calls him Pelle.
PELLE = Boschetto spoke (ironic,  he want to say that Boschetto is not a wonderful surname either, Boschetto= Smallwood) 
IGNAZIO = today I brought you some things. Do you like Chupa Chups (lollipops).
ANGELICA = Yes.
IGNAZIO = But you want to keep the line. Do you train?
ANGELICA = Yes.
IGNAZIO = He trains too (Pelle). Since you’re the first, we’ll let you open it (the package), okay? Do you want to?
(Angelica and Ignazio begin to open the package.)
You look sorry? (to Pellle).
PELLE = I look, I observe.
IGNAZIO = (addressing Angelica) He looks, understood?
Please, when choosing friends, find them useful, who do things, not who look.
Here are a few things for everyone, there are Goleadors (a type of candy) that you don’t like because you want to keep fit.
ANGELICA = My sister likes them.
IGNAZIO = Ah, does she like them? Well then they might be of interest to her.
(Another young boy arrives, a guest of the structure.)
How are you?
BOY = Good.
IGNAZIO = Fist (post-Covid greeting method).
Do you eat sweets? Because she doesn’t eat them, she wants to stay fit.
(Another young boy arrives)
How are you? Good?
I am Ignazio and this is Stefano. (Pelle)
PELLE = Hello.
IGNAZIO = You write messages to girls on instagram ?
ANGELICA = Where do I put this? (she is holding a box of sweets)
IGNAZIO = But, I don’t know, in the bathroom, is there a place in the bathroom? (the usual Ignazio joker) 😁
IGNAZIO = (addressing the second young boy) Of course you too can give me a hand, he (Pelle) is already enough, he looks and does nothing.
ANGELICA = My sister is crazy about these!!
IGNAZIO = But everything to your sister, excuse me?  Have we taken all the things for your sister?
ANGELICA = In the end yes.
IGNAZIO = (addressing the second young boy who slightly, physically, reminds Ignazio as a younger and more robust) When I was younger I was like you, indeed, you are like me.
GIULIA = He likes to sing.
IGNAZIO = How?
GIULIA = He likes to sing and play the guitar.
IGNAZIO = Ah! Then I’ll bring you a guitar, I didn’t know.
What genre do you like?
BOY = Rock.
IGNAZIO = I love you (and hugs the boy).
He is Pelle981 on Twitch (channel, like Twitter), if you have it, look for him and he plays, that is, he does this job: he plays.
Hi Luigi (another boy enters, a guest of the facility), I’m Ignazio and he’s Stefano.
PELLE = Pleasure, Stefano!
IGNAZIO = I am very happy to be here, because due to my job, I am never at home.
When I’m at home I like to come and find these associations where they really help and I think that you too feel comfortable here, right? (turning to the boy )
You can talk, I swear I won’t eat you, and he (Pelle)  seems big either, but he won’t eat you.
We wanted to say thank you for hosting us. Will you take me somewhere? (in this way Ignazio asks the boy to let him visit the structure). Hello everyone!
WOMAN = (A woman’s voice, perhaps the robust boy’s mother).
We arrived today. (She means that the boy cannot guide Ignazio in the structure because he doesn’t know it well yet)
IGNAZIO = Ah, did you arrive today? I took the worst (meaning he can’t accompany him in the facility – laughter) 😁
Are you from Bologna?
ANGELICA = Province of Carpi.
IGNAZIO = And you?
BOY = I from Correggio
LUIGI = I’m from Bologna.
GIULIA = Gabriele has also arrived.
IGNAZIO = Gabriele, pleasure. I am Ignazio and this is Stefano. How old are you?
GABRIELE = 12
IGNAZIO = What is the thing you would eat now?
GABRIELE = Kinder (chocolate egg)
PELLE = No, Ignazio, you’re on a diet.
IGNAZIO = Think for yourself!
(while Ignazio offers a chocolate egg to Gabriele he sees the robust boy)  Look at those little heart eyes he has?
Thanks to all of you and to all the staff. ☺
GIULIA = Can you sing us something?
IGNAZIO = What song do we know that we all sing together? I won’t tell you mine because you don’t know them.
PELLE = You are old Igna (ironic)
IGNAZIO = Ah, I’m old….come on, tell me a song.
So, we can sing “Io tu e le rose” (it’s an old Italian song).….do you know it??😁
ALL = No!!
IGNAZIO = “La Fisarmonica” , no! (another song from the 70s.)😁 “We are the champions” by Queen? Yup? You all know this, right? Here we are? Are you there? (and Ignazio starts singing the refrain of the song and tries to make the stout boy sing the two final words – applause) ☺
Thank you very much, see you soon, (Ignazio greets all the boys) …. young lady (he greets Angelica), bring something to your sister.
PELLE = On the last day (he means when she gets home) you get something and bring it to your sister.
IGNAZIO = (embraces the hefty boy) Don’t harm the little girls on instagram too much!  ☺
(A hug to the younger boy, meanwhile Angelica takes a chocolate egg)
ANGELICA = It’s for my sister!!
ALICE = He is Tommaso, anyway. (another boy)
IGNAZIO = Tommaso, excuse me, pleasure, Ignazio.
(in addition to the desserts, the board games that Ignazio and Pelle have brought are also shown.
Gabriele asks Ignazio and Pelle for an autograph) ☺
GIULIA = (She leads Ignazio and Pelle in the various rooms of the structure.)
I can challenge you to table football, but I advise against it.
IGNAZIO = Excuse me, miss, what’s her name?
GIULIA = Gabriele
IGNAZIO = Gabriele where do you want to play?
PELLE = I watch this match.
She (Giulia) is the champion!
(Ignazio takes the ball and pretends to open it like an egg) . 😁
We are not in the kitchen!
IGNAZIO = Ah, isn’t it an egg?? Sorry! Go!! 😁
GIULIA = What’s in the prize, guys?? Shall we reward a Kinder egg?
IGNAZIO = A Kinder egg, go!!
Go Gabriele, go Gabriele, go Gabriele…..NO!!!
I made you score this goal!
PELLE = (To Ignazio) Are you putting the point on yourself?
IGNAZIO = Ah, sorry! (The game ends, everyone shakes hands). I won’t give you the Kinder egg (because it was defeated 😁…. below is a nice group photo ❤)
IGNAZIO = (to Luigi) Do you support Juve? (Italian soccer team, favored by Ignazio)
LUIGI = If I want YES.
PELLE = Sure, he can change his mind.
IGNAZIO = I understand, but it’s not correct…
LUIGI = So I’m rooting for Juventus!!😁
IGNAZIO = Bravo, bravo!!
(Ignazio lends himself to various photographs with the hospitalized children and their families). 😘
Bye bye!!
PELLE = Hello everyone!!
(This is followed by a fake scholastic interrogation made to Ignazio and Pelle by the teacher of the structure, since the boys have long hospitalizations, they also have to study during those periods)
IGNAZIO = Well, I swear I’ve studied.
TEACHER = Yes?
IGNAZIO = I know everything!!
TEACHER = The fall of the Roman Empire.
IGNAZIO = I was very sorry about this fact. 😁
PELLE = Maybe she wanted to know the year it happened! 😁
IGNAZIO = Good times those.
TEACHER = (to Pelle) And by whom was the discovery of America made?
PELLE = Surely someone discovered it (Ignazio tries to suggest, as students do at school)……it’s Italian…perhaps Christopher Columbus?? The year ….1492??
TEACHER = Now let’s do algebra?
IGNAZIO = Algebra, yes.
TEACHER = The addition of fractions ….. what should I do here?
IGNAZIO = They add up….
TEACHER = I have to do the minimum……
PELLE = Least common multiple!
TEACHER = Well done!!
IGNAZIO = The guaranteed minimum, because there is always a guaranteed minimum!!😁  Are we promoted?
TEACHER = Yes, yes, but you have to review the lessons.
IGNAZIO = We have to study, all right.
(to Pelle)
Today we are with Giulia, let me introduce her to you.
GIULIA =  Giulia!
IGNAZIO = She’s very strong at table football.
GIULIA =  Tell us about the association.
We have opened this channel, where we will create this format, where the idea is to receive emails with requests, wishes, which we will try to fulfill.
We wanted to start with an association, there are many that help children with illnesses, special cases and really help people. Unfortunately people don’t know these associations, or know them little, so our idea is to be able to make them known more through that channel, through my work, his work (Pelle), to make known as many associations as possible, and today we are from you.
GIULIA = Good
IGNAZIO = Who are you? What do you do? (He means as an association)
GIULIA = I am Giulia, I am part of this beautiful association called BIMBOTU. Bimbotu was born in 2007 from the will of Alessandro and Federica, husband and wife, who had a personal experience of their son’s illness, who is fortunately doing well now.
This was 15 years ago and they decided that the difficulties they had to face as parents, as a family, they didn’t want other families to have to face, or at least give those families support. So since 2007 we have been dealing with assistance in the wards, therefore from the simplest things, as we have done together today, being together with the children and their families, chatting, lending a hand, offering a coffee….
IGNAZIO = So are you volunteers or…..??
GIULIA = We currently have about 200 volunteers….
IGNAZIO = 202 now (he offers himself and Pelle as volunteers)
GIULIA = We are active in this hospital, therefore the Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna at the Bellaria hospital, also at Sant’Orsola and Maggiore (other hospitals).
We are dealing with children and families who arrive from all over Italy, as you saw today.
IGNAZIO = Are all pathologies treated here?
GIULIA = In particular, in this department, we follow the pathologies of the central nervous system and also eating disorders which is a world to which we too are only recently approaching.
IGNAZIO = I knew a person, very close to me, who suffered from bulimia and it’s very complicated, it’s very psychological and it doesn’t make you think, it’s not a matter of drinking or eating badly, because maybe people think: “Come on, you ate too much, what are you doing?”
Instead bulimia is a serious matter, if you think you need support, talk to someone, because it’s important. There are certain things that should not be trivialized or talked about and approached in a superficial way.
GIULIA = Absolutely yes, in fact, even the volunteers we have all follow a training course to be able to better face the experience within the departments and the volunteers who are in contact with the kids who have eating disorders follow a further specific course on the subject, first of all to always be updated and informed, precisely because there is always a tendency to trivialize it, it is a taboo that is rarely talked about, and getting information is essential to be able to help those suffering from this pathology.
PELLE = Also to know how to approach children and teenagers.
GIULIA = Exactly.
IGNAZIO = That’s why you have wards inside the hospital, right? Because there is also the support of doctors.
GIULIA = Yes, exactly, indeed it is the hospital that hosts us as an association and each volunteer brings what they know how to do. For example, when I come here, even if my job is in the office, I play foosball, then there are those who play the guitar, those who sing, those who draw, everyone brings their own way of approaching…..
PELLE = A piece of yourself…
GIULIA = Yes, a piece of himself.
In addition to being present in the wards, we also have apartments where we welcome families arriving from outside Bologna free of charge, because they often have very long hospitalizations, and on average we welcome around fifty families a year, and we know and assist around 800/900 children and families in the various wards.
IGNAZIO = I often go to visit (hospitalized) children because…..I don’t know, we are all important,….but there is something that attracts you about a child or a young boy, something that pushes us to do our best and always give more. Every time when I enter the hospital wards and I see a child with a drip, or without hair, I see situations that are unacceptable to me, and I always have a reaction of not knowing how to behave, not knowing if I can accept that situation so, to a volunteer or even for you when you arrived, how was this impact? ❤
GIULIA = It’s not simple and in any case I don’t want to get emotional in front of the camera, I’m telling you about my personal experience, when I started being part of the BIMBOTU team I asked myself:
“Giulia, do you feel up to it?”, because in any case it’s not obvious, it’s not easy, and at the beginning I too was struggling in the first approach, I wondered how I could be useful. Being yourself is the key to first being able to empathize with children and their families. ❤
IGNAZIO = Those are the things that make you feel good.
If I wanted to support this association, how can I do it, where can I find information? 😉
GIULIA = Volunteering is a great way to help, because donating can be done in many ways, so you can donate your time, or you can make a cash donation that always helps because we have many activities and many services that we offer , we always offer them for free, so financial support is also very important.
IGNAZIO = So for those who live in Bologna, or in Emilia Romagna (region with capital Bologna), or near Bologna, if you want to come and spend your time helping someone, to volunteer for BIMBOTU, you can do it. 😘
GIULIA = We have the headquarters of our offices which is in San Lazzaro and then there are also other ways to donate and support this very important cause, for example, if one is a tailor, he can help us to pack objects to be exhibited in our solidarity banquets.
PELLE = So everyone can put their own, (make available what they can do)

GIULIA = Yes, exactly. For more information, the website is www.bimbotu.it, and then they can follow us on social networks with BIMBOTU OFFICIAL, also because we are super active and we always have many new projects to present, and they can subscribe to our newsletters to stay up to date and see what we are doing.
For example , we have started a fundraising campaign to be able to buy neonatal ventilators for the pediatric department of the Maggiore Hospital , and they have a very significant cost and therefore anyone who wants to lend a hand is welcome.
Often there are also those who call us and tell us:
“I do this in life, what can I do for you?” And it’s the most beautiful thing in the world. ☺
IGNAZIO = Sometimes, supporting an association, or doing charity, it’s not always and only to give money. Doing charity, helping someone or these associations can also be helped with one’s work, with one’s time, as Giulia said, with very few things.
Little or big help is equally important for people in need. Every gesture is important. ❤
PELLE = Since when are you with Bimbotu?
GIULIA = For almost two years.
IGNAZIO = Ok, the people who follow us, are also contributing to this. ❤
PELLE = We say it a lot and we push it a lot because we want to make it clear that what we say, we do and we will do  (it won’t be just words).❤
IGNAZIO = Anyway, it’s not an initiative that is limited to just the two of us, it’s from the whole Bosky TV community, it’s something we’re all doing together, to help everyone. ❤
GIULIA = Congratulations.
IGNAZIO = Thank you very much.
GIULIA = Thanks to you.
IGNAZIO = Thank you for having hosted us, for giving us this opportunity, we hope to see you soon, we will return.
GIULIA = Absolutely. We are waiting for you.
PELLE = I have to cook, now I have this thing in my head.
IGNAZIO = And I have to take the guitar to the rocker (strong boy).😘
(to the camera) Thank you so much for being with us, for watching this video. Support this channel, because thanks to your support, we were able to do what we did today. Hello everybody. ❤🤗
GIULIA = Don’t forget, bye!
PELLE = Thanks again!!
IGNAZIO = (Now Ignazio and Pelle are in the car). Good thing you were in Algebra, because I just…..
PELLE = Thank goodness, I only said one right word at the end.
IGNAZIO = I understand, at least we made a half figure, a good impression.
PELLE = Beautiful, even the teacher was happy.
IGNAZIO = Do you know what the beautiful thing is? We’ll have more meetings like this!!! ❤
I have no words to compliment Ignazio and Pelle for what they have done.
Truly something that honors them and all those who are supporting them.
It’s not the first time that Ignazio offers us these great gestures of the heart, remember when he donated equipment to the Bologna Pediatric Hospital?
Thank you Ignazio for being such a big-hearted person, we appreciate you so much for that and we are so proud of you!!  ❤
Daniela 🤗

Credit to owners of all photos and videos.

Article or Video Translations, Our Stories

INTERVIEW WITH IL VOLO IN JAPAN by Keisyuu

16 Comments
Today I come back to you with a nice interview.
It is not a simple Italian interview, far from it. In August 2022, Il Volo went to Japan for three concerts, this interview was released the day before the last concert, of course it’s all written in Japanese and I don’t know anything about this language, but our Chinese friend Xinjie, that you have already met here in Flight Crew in two posts : (https://ilvoloflightcrw.com/2019/06/03/capri-history-of-a-meeting/), (https://ilvoloflightcrw.com/2019/07/05/roma-my-first-concert-by-xinjie/) and that you see here in the photo together with Il Volo and two other fans in Capri.

Xinjie contacted me telling me that she translated an interview for a friend and then she thought that the same interview could be appreciated by all the readers of Flight Crew and all the fans of Il Volo, so she sent me the beautiful translation.
From now on, Xinjie will be our eastern correspondent, under the name of KEISYUU. ☺
Thank you on behalf of all, all fans will appreciate this read!! ☺😘
Daniela 🤗

INTERVIEW WITH IL VOLO IN JAPAN

Japanese fans are very polite and elegant. The strong love from everyone can be clearly felt even on stage. (Gianluca)
INTERVIEW: YUKO KATO

I interviewed them the morning before the show in Nagoya. This time, there was also a live recording at Kiyomizu Temple, and Il Volo stayed in Japan for a long time. They had plenty of time to enjoy Japan. What was troubling was the heat of summer in Japan, and even at Kiyomizu Temple, the makeup was ruined by the dripping sweat, and had to be fixed for each song. Because of that, the three got tired of the heat. Just before the interview, the location was changed to a hotel, therefore photography was not allowed.

On the other hand, they enjoyed Japanese cuisine. “Those boys would be happy every day if they eat sushi”, I was told so by people involved. But in addition to sushi, it seems that they have discovered new favorites such as okonomiyaki.

Well, much earlier than the interview time, Piero comes first. Next is Gianluca. And Ignazio is on the verge. Ignazio, who was greeted with a cold gaze from both of them, “Isn’t it just the correct time!? I’m not late,” he said, showing off his watch and making a big appeal. The two smiled wryly. Probably he’s always doing it.

— I heard that you recorded a live video at Kiyomizu Temple without audience,  I wanted to see it live.

Piero Barone: It was a great experience. We make music called bel canto, which is an Italian tradition, and thanks to bel canto, we can sing in many beautiful places. This is also true in Italy, and again we can sing in a very beautiful temple in Japan. Kiyomizu Temple is the most important temple in Kyoto and has a great history, so it was really an honor to sing in such a wonderful place. It’s a very small place, so we couldn’t let the audience in, but I hope you enjoy what we’ve done by watching the video. Personally, I feel that Japanese culture and Italian culture are very compatible. Anyway, it has become an unforgettable memory for a lifetime, and I will continue to talk about live performances at Kiyomizu Temple in the future.

— How did you feel about performing at a Buddhist temple? 

PIero: We respect all religions. In fact, before the performance, we asked the monk of the temple to offer a prayer. Honestly, I didn’t understand what was said.. ( bitter smile). But we also have a lot of respect for that.

— But the high temperature and humidity made it difficult for you, didn’t they? You spent nearly 4 hours in the heat, right?

Gianluca: No, it didn’t affect the singing. But it was hard for the hair! That was the only problem (laughs).

Everyone: (laughs).

Gianluca: Two years ago we gave a Christmas concert at St. Peter’s Basilica in front of the Pope, and it was very cold. It was harder back then. Personally, it’s much harder to sing in the cold than it is to sing in the heat.

Ignazio: By the way, the performance at Kiyomizu Temple started recording around 9pm and ended around 1am.

Gianluca: Everything was perfect for us. It is the first time that overseas artists perform at Kiyomizu Temple. It is truly an honor and I will never forget it.

— When is this video going to be distributed?

Piero: It will be in September. (Note: Published on September 18)

— We’ll look forward to it. By the way, I recently released “Grande Amore” featuring Japan’s Little Glee Monster. Whose idea was this?

Piero: It was originally an idea from the label, but we also like Little Glee Monster very much that we wanted to collaborate.

Ignazio: We’ve wanted to collaborate on Grande Amore with Japanese artists for a couple of years. And have already done the same thing with the Brazilian and German artists. When we told the Japanese label about it, they looked for different artists and we chose Little Glee Monster.

— Did you actually meet these girls?

Piero: No, unfortunately we didn’t. We invited them to our show, and they’re also on the tour right now.

— That’s a pity.

Ignazio: It’s the first tour after years, so that’s actually a good thing! Because of the pandemic, we spent our days without doing anything at home.


— The Tokyo and Osaka shows are over, how did the audience react?

Gianluca: It was fantastic, the Japanese fans have always given us so much love from the first day, it is exactly the “Grande Amore”. Japanese audiences are very different from audiences in other countries.

— Oh, really? How?

Gianluca: Japanese fans are very polite and elegant. They have the utmost respect for artists, and the strong love from everyone can be clearly felt even on stage. I feel that Japanese culture and traditions are very unique in all aspects, and it means so much to us that Japanese people show so much love for Italian artists on the other side of the world.

— You have prepared a special set list for Japan, right?

PIero: Oh, yes. We talked to the conductor and the orchestra and changed the set list a little bit. Japanese fans prefer classical and symphonic songs, so we sing songs that we don’t do in other countries. As a result, it became a very long set.

— There are 28 songs in all.

PIero: Yes, that’s a pretty long show. But that’s how we love to sing on stage. We love sharing our music with everyone and we always want to do something special for our fans in Japan.

— Singing 28 songs for 2 hours non-stop is amazing.

Ignazio: Every night.

Gianluca: Just like football players. Some players play non-stop for 90 minutes. Of course, we don’t miss our daily training, too. It’s our job, also our passion. This is our lifestyle.

— Can you tell me the highlights of the show?

Piero: Uhmm…For me it’s the first song. You get on stage and see all sorts of new faces, I like to see everyone’s facial expressions that shine brightly when I start singing the first song. We’ve had great reactions in Tokyo and Osaka, and I hope we get the same reactions here in Nagoya.

— I’ve read a few live reviews by fans, and some have said they were so emotional that they brought tears to their eyes.

Piero: I’m glad for that.

Ignazio: At the beginning of the show, I always say, “Tonight is going to be a night full of emotions. I want you to have a lot of fun, to be emotional, to cry, to laugh. “ That’s the right way. You can be emotional, you can have fun, and that’s the beauty of our music. We love what we do and we do it with passion. Of course it’s a business, but before that there’s a lot of passion and love for music.

Gianluca: We’re doing this music for the elderly who’ve been hearing bel canto and the Three Tenors, and for the younger generation who don’t know that. We want to follow those whom we respect and convey this genre to the future.

— Japanese young people don’t listen to classical music very much, so that’s the problem.

Gianluca: It’s the same in any country, it’s normal. This genre is not so commercial. Pop has always been commercial, while classical is not. Even in this way, the existence of The Three Tenors has prevailed in the world.

Piero: (Luciano) Pavarotti at the top of the list.

Ignazio: The younger generation grew up listening to commercial music from the time they were born, so it’s hard to let them listen to classical music. The music used in TikTok, Instagram, etc. is also easy to listen to. Like rap or electronics. So, there are a lot of young people who don’t know this kind of music, and they have to discover it by themselves. Of course, I’m not saying that you should only listen to this kind of music, but I think it’s best to listen to a variety of music, but I also want them to listen to this kind of music we do, and through that, I hope them can get a sense of comfort and feel a lot of emotion. I’m not saying it’s wrong to listen to commercial music.

Gianluca: Yeah, we listen to a lot of music ourselves. From Elton John to Elvis Presley, The Weekend, Michael Jackson…

Ignazio: Ariana Grande, Drake…

Gianluca: Yes, that’s right. We listen to everything. Music is a part of our life.

We’re currently working on a very big new project while touring (Piero)

— Do you (Piero) also listen to music other than opera? I can’t imagine…

PIero: Certainly. After all, I have the strongest passion for opera, but as a singer, I have to broaden my horizons while listening to other genres of music!

Gianluca: Can you imagine listening to only one genre in your life? You can also say that about food. It’s like that I go to Japan and look for Italian restaurants. If you only eat the same food, only listen to the same music, you can’t grow and can’t expand your horizons. You have to try a lot of things anyway. Regardless of the genre, you should enjoy good quality music and good food.

Ignazio: Because you may be the one who limits yourself the most. I have to get rid of it first.

— Ignazio, you’re interested in producing, aren’t you?

Ignazio: Yes, I am interested, and I hope to do it someday. I’m not ready to do it alone yet. We work with a lot of producers and we learn a lot from them.

— Gianluca, you’ve taken acting lessons, but are you interested in acting?

Gianluca: Even if you are a singer, if you study acting and stage, you can become a better performer on stage.

Piero: That’s for sure.

Gianluca: For me, I started studying acting to become a better artist and to have more confidence on stage. But if I continue to practice like this, I may be blessed with the opportunity to work as an actor someday.

— And you bought a piano 3 years ago to write songs, right?

Gianluca: Yes. I have a lot of goals and things I want to do. I’m still not very good at playing the piano…

Ignazio: You’ve gotten a lot better!

Gianluca: Ah yeah, compared to before. I will resume my lesson when I get home. I hope someday I can write a song myself.

— Piero, when I first met you, you seemed very shy, but now you seem to be full of confidence.

Piero: It depends on the day (laughs). Waking up good or bad, changes the mood of the day.

Gianluca: When he looks shy, he’s just sleepy.

Piero: (laughs).

— Every time I do an interview, you announce a new project, so do you have any upcoming projects?

Piero: The last thing we did was the Morricone’s album (Il Volo Sings Morricone in ‘21), but then we went on tour and now we are on tour and working on a really big new project. But it’s too early to tell the details.

— Can you tell a little?

Piero: I can’t tell you anything. It’s a project for next year.

— Is it a new album?

Ignazio: Well~~(laughs)?

PIero: It’s going to be a big project. But we are working on it now, and it’s still a very early staircase, so unfortunately we can’t say anything.

— This tour is like Greatest Hits, not a tour of Morricone…

PIero: It also includes Morricone’s songs.

Gianluca: There are 5 Morricone songs.

Ignazio: Yes yes. We can’t do all 28 songs of Morricone. We do that plus other songs.

— When will you return to Japan next time?

Ignazio: We’ll be back next year!

Gianluca: Before that, I’d like to come back for a personal vacation.

Piero: But this time, we have plenty of time to travel around Kyoto and Tokyo. We also went to the Shinsekai of Osaka. By the way, we are going back to Italy tomorrow night, but we will go to Nagoya Castle before that. We love to explore different places.

Gianluca: also to eat a lot of traditional foods. Such as okonomiyaki.

Ignazio: Daisuki, Nippon! (I love you, Japan!)

Recorded August 12 in Nagoya.

Concert Photos/Reviews, Our Stories

CONCERT REVIEW OF ROME 2022 by KIRSTEN LANGER

58 Comments
And here we are at the second review, this concerns the concert in Rome on December 23rd, the last Italian concert, and it was written by my friend Kirsten Langer whom I had the pleasure of meeting this year at the Verona concert.
“Kirsten, I’m so glad you and your husband were able to come to Rome for this concert, thank you for writing us this lovely review and it was a pleasure to help you in this adventure. 😘”
Enjoy reading!!
Daniela
______________________________________________

MY VERY BEST X-MAS GIFT:

– A CONCERT AND MEETING WITH IL VOLO, 12/23/22 –

And yet it wasn’t at all an X-mas present as the concert was scheduled for October but postponed to December due to Corona. But a gift it was indeed!
A fantastic concert – they have never been singing any better and all three guys were on top of their game and high spirited.
Unique individual voices – out of this world when in harmony! Add charm, energy, jokes, big smiles, a great and varied repertoire, beautiful music from the orchestra and warmth and love that reached way out beyond the edge off the stage and right into the hearts of the audience who loved them from the very first strophe and gave them standing ovations over and over.
They are world class! I’ll be back, definitely!

Where to start…

Let me introduce myself. I am Kirsten and live in Copenhagen, Denmark, and I have been a dedicated IL VOLO fan for a couple of years and experienced my very first live concert this summer in Arena di Verona, Italy, a beautiful event – and, by the way, where I did likewise met up with our great and sweet Daniela ☺.
Already by then I had also purchased tickets for their autumn concert in Rome, to which my hubby and I had planned yet a small holiday but, alas, then the concert was moved to December and on none the less than the 23rd – the day before Christmas – which in my country is celebrated in the evening on the 24th.  Only one airline offered flights back in due time – did we dare take the risk? What should we do? I was about to give up but couldn’t get it over my heart to cancel the tickets, which had been so difficult to obtain, so I just left the issue unsolved for a long time. However, when our son offered to host and prepare everything for X-mas Eve, we decided to go through with the project and made arrangements for 48 hrs. fling to Rome 22-24 December.

I was all excited once again ☺.

In Rome, we found splendid weather, two days of warm sun, accompanied us.

Fan club arrangement with flaws … and you need a lot of patience!

Things got even better when firstly the guys announced a book signing event in Rome on the 22nd – jihaa, we could just make it – and then even better the Fanclub offered a Soundcheck arrangement on the 23rd followed by a personal meeting with the guys during which they would answer questions about their new book and greet the members.

WOW, now it got truly exciting! Almost too exciting… and the mood did drop a couple of degrees when the venue for the Rome book signing was advised. A huge Shopping Mall way outside the city centre to which local transportation would be more than 1 hr. each way – or some EUR 100 roundtrip for a private taxi. I was prepared to do the latter, but Daniela kindly suggested we skip it due to the bad location, the limited time and not the least, that we were to meet up with the guys the next afternoon and hence no doubt could get the book signed there. Reasonably enough, so we dropped the idea and Daniela found us a bookstore close to our accommodation by the Piazza Navona, where we could purchase the book easily while still enjoying the beautiful sights of historic Roma. (Thank you ☺).

(My dear husband in front of the obelisk at Piazza Navona. The sky is blue ☺)
Next hurdle appeared – we had no idea as to the time for the Soundcheck and were told that the same would not be available until very shortly before… – but we had to pre-order a private taxi to take us to the venue, Palazzo dello Sport, which appeared to be located yet a long way from downtown Rome some 30-45 min. drive, so how to coordinate?
Once again Daniela was of great assistance to us kindly checking up with the Fanclub postings on our behalf and keeping us updated. (Thank you again). The time was announced 2½ hrs. before meeting time! Well, we had guessed the time pretty much correctly and made the transfer in fine time, but still…. Not to miss out of anything we were at the assembly point around 17:00 hrs. – 20 minutes before time. We did soon find a little group of people with admission tickets in hand as well.
A young lady appeared (apparently from the Fanclub) and showed us to the gate in question and then nothing more happened. We waited… and waited… and waited.

(In the photo my husband is waiting in line.)
No action at all. Around 18:00 hrs. The young lady did finally come around again, starting to tick us off manually and hand us a bracelet. So far so good, but then – again waiting and more waiting. Finally around 18:15-18:20-18:30 we were let into the concert hall only to find the Soundcheck already in full swing… We rushed towards the front seats passing Michele Torpedine who nodded and smiled kindly to us 🙂.
Gianluca was rehearsing one of his solo while the two other guys were hanging around the stage. In a corner of the stage Gianluca’s girlfriend was seated on a chair and apparently he is still very fond of her as he went forth and back to cuddle and kiss her constantly.
Then they rehearsed a couple of songs and that was it! 10- 15 min. at a maximum. They gave the Fanclub group (I think we were about 50-70) a quick hello and smile from the stage and off they were… That is, Ignazio went to chat and fool around with their guitar player for a bit, but soon he was away too. We could hear Gianluca sing a bit of a bossanova song in the distance but not visible. Piero is long gone.
We were then awaiting the guys to re-appear for the book chat, but instead a lady came firmly asking us to move to our official seats.
Eh??? This could not be true? But no signs of the guys or anyone from the Fanclub to give instructions, so we rose. I hate to think that the guys would skip this scheduled meeting on purpose… or they should have forgotten? It seems so far from their general attitude towards their fans. There got to be some communication error down the line or some other good explanation. I hope so. Yet they ought to have figured out that in similarity with Turin and Milan would likewise have a meeting scheduled for their Rome fans… Needless to say, I was disappointed.
Well, sometimes one can be a bit lucky too, as suddenly we spied Gianluca behind the barrier with a little group of fans in the one corner. Signing autographs and taking selfies. We rushed over and he did most kindly😘 likewise sign my book and offered to take a selfie with me. ❤
Kudos to Gianluca for appearing albeit not in the way that was scheduled. Few seconds later he was, however, all gone again. We hung around the spot for a bit, and then suddenly we caught sight of Ignazio passing by in the distance. At this time my good old teenage rock-attitude took over and I called him over trying to explain that I came all the way from Denmark. He stopped, gazed for a split second and then came to the barrier and quickly grabbed my book and pen and signed as well as let a few other fans have selfies.

Then he rushed off again as swiftly as he had arrived. Piero was never in sight. But 2 out of 3 are, of course, better than nothing – but somewhat let down I cannot avoid feeling.

I shall not bother you with yet another hurdle story when it appeared that the seat-figuration of the hall apparently had been changed over the years and, therefore, the seats I had selected no longer were placed in the first section but now rather far back on the floor in a not too good place… Well, to make a long story short we ended up being offered new seats that luckily appeared to be even better than the original ones, namely now on the 6th row next to the middle aisle with a very good view of the entire stage.
And it must be said that the young ushers were very kind and helpful to us but likewise apparently had experienced this situation before. After all, some of the tickets were already sold back in 2019/2020!
A long wait was now ahead of us as you are not let out once in… and the concert was not to start till 21:00 hrs. “Palazzo dello Sport” is absolutely an ugly and dull venue – all concrete with plastic chairs and no décor and with no cozy bars or eateries available. It’s a sports center able to hold a lot of people, and that’s it. So a plastic glass of lukewarm cheap red wine and a bag of potato chips made it out for dinner.
At this stage we were beginning to wonder if the trip was worth the while – but then the concert started!.

And what a concert!!!

At 21:10 hrs. It all began and the three guys entered the stage to the fanfare-like “Ecstasy of Gold” by Ennio Morricone – the famous Italian film music-writer to whom they dedicated their latest album.
And in a split second all our troubles were forgotten and we were fully encapsulated in the wonderful music.
They were wearing their nice new velvet tuxedos looking their best, they were very elegant indeed. 😘😘😘

They seemed in great spirits and full of energy. Lots of smiling and joking around. No one in particular in charge – all of them bidding in with presentations, stories and jokes. The latter was apparently rather humoristic at times as people around us were giggling and laughing – but not speaking a word of Italian we did, of course, not catch that part of the experience.
The repertoire was to a certain extent the same as in Verona, yet with the omission of some of the classics such as some of the Italian Bel Canto songs and i.e. Delilah. But we were lucky to enjoy two of the most beautiful Morricone songs, namely “Se” and “Your Love”.
As usual they did each sing two solos –and Ignazio’s “All by Myself” was once again incredibly well performed and had the audience giving him a standing ovation.
Standing ovations were likewise in abundance to Piero for his two opera pieces incl. “No Puede Ser”.

He seems to get better and better each time I hear him. What volume and control of his voice. And his following huge smiles verified that he indeed himself likewise enjoyed being on stage presenting them.
Gianluca did a very beautiful and emotional version of Elton John’s “Your Song” that was very well received with standing ovations by the audience as well, while – personally – I think it is time for him to let go of his Elvis favorite “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. He does it extremely well, but he can do better and needs some new challenges.
Standing ovations were indeed also much in place for the two duos – respectively “La donna è mobile” by Ignazio and Piero and “Hallelujah” by Gianluca and Ignazio.

The latter was extremely emotional and when everyone in the audience was waving their lit cellphones the atmosphere was breathtakingly beautiful…
Apparently there were interesting people in the audience and Gianluca introduced and pointed out to us his grandpa Ernesto, of whom he is very fond and dedicated a song to him. Actually, he was seated just a few seats further down our row without us having noticed. After the show Gianluca’s father came to fetch him and must have been seated elsewhere. Gianluca had, however, yet a great introduction to do – namely the Oscar-winning famous Italian cinematographer Vittorio Storaro (and Eleonora’s grandpa). He and some family/friends were seated just across from us, and when Gianluca a bit later came down into the audience while singing: “Here’s to You”, he went straight to their row to greet and hug them personally. A beautiful moment to encounter.

Ignazio had one of his great moments too, when he sat down on the top of the grand piano and sang one of his well-known ballads profoundly and heartfelt. Saying Ignazio you never know what to expect. Always in a good mood with a sneaky smile in his eye he never let us down.
This evening he seemed in an even greater mood than before and he gave us his now famous “disco-ball-show” happily dancing forth and back the stage in a for-the-moment improvised choreography sporting his new silver-shimmering tuxedo jacket bringing the big smiles about.  Who doesn’t love him?
As to tuxedos the guys seemed to have a bad clothing-day, each changing into a rather different and colorful jacket for the second half not matching each other in any way what-so-ever. Taste cannot be discussed… so I shall refrain from commenting on this new idea – only that Gianluca’s orange/red tiger print jacket is absolutely awful especially dressed with a red shirt; Piero’s black bling-spotted suit would be nicer with a pair of plain black trousers –and Ignazio’s “disco-jacket” is just too much and needs a thorough fit. He he he. But yet again, they can wear a brown potato-bag and we will love them .😁😁😁
Being Christmas time they concluded with three season songs, namely their little jolly “Christmas Medley”, the pompous “Adeste Fideles”.
and finally, of course, their new “Happy X-mas (War is Over)”.
During the latter everyone in the hall was once again waving their lit cell-phones creating a warm, intimate and lovely atmosphere. As an “extra” number they closed off as usual with “Grande Amore” and suddenly two hours had disappeared in no time.
But if the show was over for us – the party seemed to start for the guys – as instead of leaving the stage they did suddenly go “all bananas” with Ignazio climbing the grand piano and high standing calling manager Michel Torpedine, travel manager Barbara Vitale and some further staff to the stage and a huge hugging and kissing ceremony followed with the guys running across the stage from side to side with the arms high in the air, finger kissing the audience and hugging each other as had they just won the World Championship in football! They seemed almost in ecstasy and it was truly fun to watch how happy they were as if they had not expected to do so well themselves…
They were SO happy and sweet. ❤

(In this photo: Ignazio gets on the grand piano and the manager Michele Torpedine, the tour manager Barbara Vitali and the other members of the Il Volo staff are called on stage to embrace and kiss.)
At the end of the concert a lot of fans rushed towards the stage to get better photos of the guys or hand them X-mas gifts and shake hands. The teenager grows in me again, and I follow along . Only to find Gianluca kneeling down right before me and the group of people I stand next to, so I get a close-up photo as well . ❤

What a beautiful concert – what a fantastic show.
Compared to the concert in Verona they seemed a lot more lively, talkative and all over the stage. I/we loved each single minute of it and yes, it was indeed worth all the worries and flaws!
Cannot wait for their next concert. I/we will be back – most definitely. ❤❤❤
Warmest wishes for a Happy New Year to all members of The Flight Crew and love from Denmark:
Kirsten.

Here are some of my short videos and photos, I hope you like them!!

 

GRANADA

 

IL MONDO

CHRISTMAS MEDLEY

Please click here to view Christmas Medley