So often I write about the journalists who have no respect for Il Volo and treat them very rudely. But today I want to write about a journalist who is a champion for our guys.
Marino Bartoletti has always been A True Defender of Il Volo.
Marino Bartoletti is a true friend to the guys, often standing up for them on television and defending them before the Sanremo jury. A distinguished Italian journalist and writer known for his integrity and refinement; Marino deeply admires Il Volo. In the realm of entertainment and communication, he emphasizes that “the value of affection, esteem, and sincerity is immense. Human relationships and friendship hold great significance.”
To give you a bit of background, Marino Bartoletti is a renowned journalist, a profound music connoisseur, and an expert on the Sanremo Festival. Above all, he is a man of great culture and humanity.
In a January 2024 interview with Paola Stranges of italiani.it, Marino discussed his illustrious career and his latest book, “The Supper of the Gods.”
Marino explained,The Great Old Man is a creation that gives me immense satisfaction, reflecting a lot of who I am. It’s a story about a provincial boy who, even before he grew a mustache, wondered about the fate of our entertainment, music, and sports champions. I’ve envisioned the Great Old Man, Enzo Ferrari, who has spent over forty years in his world, contemplating a celestial dinner with people he admires, including those he has known and others he wishes he had met.
He continued, Ferrari, as the Great Old Man, sets up this ideal dinner in Olympus, even if his strong personality sometimes clashes with the other Great Old Man up there. Despite this, the dinner turns out well, with carefully chosen characters sharing true stories.
Paola:Sanremo is upon us for the first time in a different guise. Will the magic of music reach the audience from home?
Marino: …. After thirty years it will be the first time that I don’t go there, I will watch it from my home. Sanremo has to do it, they have been doing it for 71 years or at least it is the seventy-first edition. It started in 1951, it’s almost my age, I think I’ve seen almost all of them since the age of reason, I’ve seen more than thirty professionally. I am wary of those who distrust Sanremo because it means that they have not understood its social as well as artistic value. It is right that it should be done, not for commercial reasons which also exist, but for this very reason artistic value and for this social value that must be preserved. We think that just sixty years ago, the organizer threw some singers into the fray so there was someone who tore his clothes saying: “But who is this Celentano, who is this Giorgio Gaber, who is this Gino Paoli with dark glasses, who is this Milva, who is this Little Tony, who is this Pino Donaggio, who is this Umberto Bindi, who is this Edoardo Vianello, they were the ones who made the fifty years of history of Italian pop music next one. We old people have to be careful, at this moment I am seized by a flash of irresistible youthfulness.
In November 2017, during a book promotion event in San Lazzaro di Savena near Bologna, Marino was pleasantly surprised when Piero and Ignazio along with their manager Michele Torpedine, showed up to support him. Marino noted, Although Gianluca Ginoble couldn’t attend due to prior commitments, he sent a heartfelt message. It was heartwarming to see these incredible artists, who were performing in Buenos Aires and soon traveling to Miami and Kiev, supporting me despite their busy schedule.
Marino expressed his appreciation for their presence, stating,Their talent and dedication to promoting Italian music worldwide is admirable. They are preparing to release a new album after a successful tour in Central and South America. I always feel a deep sense of joy seeing them, not just for their talent but for who they are as people. They are genuine and wonderful individuals.
In April 2018, Marino had dinner with Piero and Ignazio at a tavern. He humorously remarked about Ignazio’s habit of blasting their CD in his car, saying the volume was so high it could be heard from the Madonna di San Luca Church (high on the hill) in Bologna. Marino reflected on their time together, appreciating their simplicity and enjoying their stories. He found it amusing when people who had never met them labeled them as ‘pretentious’ or ‘arrogant.’
Marino described Piero as more serious with unexpected bursts of irony, while Ignazio was a sweet trickster who, by the end of the evening, shared a video of a model airplane he built with his dad, humorously lamenting how it used to fly better when they had less money.
Marino also gifted the group a beautiful sketch by Giorgio Serra, affectionately known as ‘Matitaccia.’ He proclaimed, We all shared smiles. Please, keep being ‘bad’ in the eyes of those who don’t yet appreciate you. But never change! If you continue to achieve success worldwide, it’s simply a sign of your exceptionalism. Those who doubt you will eventually come around because you truly are BRAVI.
Marino admitted, Initially, I had some reservations about them. However, after meeting them during my book presentation, I was struck by their authenticity and courtesy. They were generous with their time and open to chatting with everyone present—qualities that are rare these days. Their compassion and skill make their global success well-deserved. Well done.
So, where did this relationship begin?
In an August 2019 interview with Luca Maggitti, Marino Bartoletti discussed Il Volo. Maggitti reflected on Bartoletti’s initial visit to Roseto, noting how this place had become special for him, particularly because of his connection with Gianluca Ginoble.
Marino said:Everyone knows of my respect for him, but it’s more than that—it’s a deep friendship and affection.
Maggitti then asked,What makes Il Volo so special? They’ve completed eleven consecutive world tours and continue to fill theaters everywhere. As a music expert and journalist, why do you think they’re so beloved and famous globally?
Maggitti also questioned why some journalists still fail to fully grasp their success and talent. He acknowledged his own attachment to them as stemming from affection, friendship, and admiration, but also recognized their embodiment of great bel canto: skill, and the ability to showcase Italian genius abroad. He wondered why this same genius isn’t more appreciated in Italy and what more these young men need to prove.
Bartoletti:I could answer you by reversing the question, that is, by asking me how there are still people (even our journalist colleagues) who still do not understand, this success of theirs and their talent. I admit that I am attached to them by affection, friendship and admiration towards them, but they have everything that is asked of bel canto, skill, the ability to transmit the Italian genius abroad. But it’s the same Italian genius that should be better understood in Italy, and then I wonder, what else do these guys have to prove?
They are boys who have reached their tenth year, and sold out everywhere, even here in Italy. I can only say that I admire them very much, that I admire their “spirit of sacrifice” which is extraordinary, because they could “sit on their laurels”, instead they continue to improve, to improve. This year they were very good, even in Sanremo where they achieved third place, so very elegantly. I would like the Italian guys to look more like them, especially as the families of the Italian boys were more like the families of Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio, because I always say this publicly, that the strength of these guys is what they have behind them, family, culture, education, humility.
Marino has always been there for the guys, and they truly appreciate his friendship and his love and affection for them. He is by far A True Defender of Il Volo. We need more journalists like him.
Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!
For your listening pleasure, Il Volo in Moscow their Concert 2019.
So many of you have asked, when will the guys return to the US? We are all missing the guys this year. But hopefully next year they will return. For this year, it is Italy who has the chance to hold them close and love them as we have done since 2011.
Since Sanremo 2024, the guys have taken a beautiful turn in Italy. They have to be so happy to have their countrymen show such love and affection for them. They so deserve it. And certainly their concerts around Italy have been phenomenal! Verona, Caracalla, Pompeii to name a few.
Some of the most important archaeological sites in the world have become their stage. Some of these stages have been shared by very important performers before them. Like Pavarotti, Carreras and Domingo.
Whenever I mention Placido Domingo, I remember this beautiful video from when they were teenagers. So, please excuse me for interrupting the story to add these words and this amazing video.
Back to the story….
When Pavarotti, Carreras and Domingo performed at Caracalla, they called the Three Tenors a supergroup. This is a term usually reserved for pop and rock groups. The trio began their collaboration with a performance at the ancient Baths of Caracalla, but when our guys stepped on the stage at Caracalla, they immediately took the name away from them because they truly are a pop and rock group and their presentation at Caracalla outshone any other before them. They immediately became the Supergroup of Caracalla
The guys performance at Caracalla was a complete sellout. Fans flocked to the concert to help the guys kick off their summer tour around Italy and to celebrate their Fifteen Years together.
“Tutti per uno – Capolavoro,” which began at Caracalla continues throughout Italy until September. Highlights of their tour included performances at Piazza San Marco in Venice, the Amphitheater of the Pompeii Excavations, and forthcoming is the Royal Palace of Caserta. And so many more in between.
They opened the concert with Nelle tue mani (Now we are free), followed by Capolavoro, which of course was their presented song at the Sanremo Festival. Since Sanremo, Capolavoro has been certified Gold. Alongside these amazing new hits were some timeless hits from Italian musical tradition and their established repertoire is always “un attimo senza fine” — an “endless moment” in music.
The audience at Caracalla, as well as all the audiences, greeted them with enthusiasm. Among the fans in Caracalla were many international tourists.
Their setlist included featured new tracks from their latest album, Ad Astra, which was released in late March.
The over two-hour performance was truly a musical tribute to their fifteen years of career. They ended this amazing concert with Nessun Dorma and Ad Astra. And received a well-deserved standing ovation.
In autumn the guys will continue their tour in many European capitals. They begin in 2025 with the “indoor tour” Tutti per Uno – Ad Astra Live in the indoor stadiums. Additionally, there will be international dates in the USA, Canada and Latin America.
And what did the guys have to say about the tour….
Piero:Hello everyone, we are at the Baths of Caracalla for the start of this tour which will see us busy in all the most beautiful places in Italy throughout the summer.
Ignazio:Venice, Piazza San Marco….
Gianluca: Pompeii….
Ignazio:…… Pompeii, Florence….
Piero:Sicily, Macerata….
Gianluca:We will sing in the most beautiful places in Italy and then conclude the Italian tour in the sports halls in January, we are waiting for you.
Piero: Bye everyone.
Of course their dedication to Barbara is an important part of these concerts. Troopers, true professionals. They truly honor Barbara in their dedications.
And their tour hit Sicily and Abruzzo, so they had the opportunity to perform for their hometown people. That’s how you share with friends and family!
But let’s get back to America for a moment….
Actually, it was the United States who really introduced the guys to America and onward to the world.
Thirteen years ago, PBS introduced America to three teenage Italian boys whose journey has captivated audiences and left an indelible mark on the music world.
Their debut concert on October 27, 2011, at the Detroit Opera House was the beginning of a remarkable story. From that moment, they won the hearts of the American public and earned the support of PBS. These three young men, now grown, continue to enchant audiences with their music. Over the past thirteen years, they have performed in several PBS specials.
Throughout their journey, Il Volo has maintained a relentless drive and commitment. Their last Latin American tour was not just a series of concerts but also included late-night recording sessions, thanks to Ignazio’s ingenuity in turning hotel rooms into makeshift studios. The end result, the music for Tutti per Uno. Even after the tour, the work continued. This dedication exemplifies their unwavering commitment to their craft, a quality that sets them apart in the entertainment industry.
Reflecting on their early days, in 2013 during their PBS special “We Are Love,” they shared their vision and dedication. Unlike many young stars who falter, Il Volo has used their fame to support and uplift others, demonstrating a generosity and gratitude that endears them to their fans. Their openness and kindness have fostered a familial bond with their audience, making them beloved not just as performers but as cherished figures in their fans’ lives.
The path hasn’t always been easy, but Il Volo’s determination has been unwavering. I recall Ignazio’s excitement when they first came to New York, expressing hope to perform at Radio City Music Hall—a dream they have achieved multiple times, continually surpassing expectations.
From the start, Il Volo introduced a unique blend of operatic pop and classical music to American audiences—a departure from typical teenage music. They quickly became a sensation, winning over people of all ages with their distinctive sound.
Each member of Il Volo approached their musical education uniquely. Piero began his classical training early, studying piano and joining choirs.
Ignazio took various singing and piano lessons, guided by Lilliana Andreanò.
Gianluca, discovered by chance, never had formal training but joined a local choir, which set him on his path.
Their rise to fame began with their performance of “O Sole Mio” on “Ti Lascio Una Canzone,” leading to their signing with Universal and their first album. By 2010, their impact was undeniable, with their American Idol performance skyrocketing them to the top of the Billboard charts.
Their journey with PBS has been integral to their success. From their first US concert to their notable PBS specials, they’ve showcased their talent and growth. Their “Buon Natale Blue Christmas” special in 2013, their recording with Placido Domingo, and their Notte Magica special in Florence are highlights of their career.
One of the most memorable moments was their first performance in Pompeii, which represented the heart of Italy and brought their Bel Canto tradition to the world through PBS. Their concert in Matera, celebrating their tenth anniversary, encapsulated their achievements and journey.
Il Volo’s story is a testament to their talent, dedication, and the support of their fans. Their continued success and growth are a result of their passion for music and their deep connection with their audience.
Every song they sing whether together or in solo is like a symphony, a “un attimo senza fine” — an “endless moment” — a phrase I love for describing both their songs and their performances. Each piece touches my heart and lingers until the next begins. Their music and voices are so powerful that you can feel the adrenaline surge with each note.
Artists often spend their careers striving to reach the top, but our guys astonishingly began there. What’s even more remarkable is their ability to continue evolving and excelling from that peak.
This years concerts in Italy are concerts from the heart! Yes they love their fans all over the world but they are relishing these amazing moments with their people, their country! For the Italian people they are not just the Supergroup of Caracalla, they are the Supergroup of Italy!
I thoroughly enjoy writing about our guys and sharing my thoughts with all of you! Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!
For your listening pleasure the Matera PBS Concert 2019. Ten Years Together.
This story tells the tale of three guys who between 2020 and 2024 changed not who they are but how they present themselves and their individuality. It’s part of maturity, of course, but not entirely! After being together constantly, in 2020 they suddenly find themselves communicating by phone. A very unique thing for them. They were never more than a hotel room away.
Sometimes people write to me and say, you know these guys so well! No, I don’t. Have I met them? Yes! Do I have a personal relationship with them? On many occasions I have communicated with one or another. But no, I’m just a fan like you! But the research I’ve done over the years has given me the tools to write my Il Volo stories. And this story required a lot of research because I needed to present the turning point in their lives, the New Horizons, the new beginning for our guys!
When exactly did that happen? To find that answer we have to go back to 2020….
I think of the day when the guys walked out the door and said I’ve had enough of this and started to live their lives again. On that day, it wasn’t about isolation, it was about what they contributed during the time of isolation. It was about working their way into a new life, a new beginning.
What the guys did during this time formed the framework for a new Il Volo!
Things changed; the world changed but above all we all changed in some way. As to the guys, they stayed home but they couldn’t stay without something to do.
And so, they began a new journey….
In May 2020, the guys joined other Italian singers and artists to make a statement about the people and their situation. They sang about all people all over Italy; perhaps all over the world. Ma il cielo e’ sempre blu (But the sky is always blue). No matter what happens, the sky is always blue! That’s true! It was a catchy tune and before you knew it, we were all singing it!
So out the door they went to start a whole new beginning, this time in Italy!
In July 2020 the guys performed at the Taormina Film Festival.
At the Festival, they sang a beautiful Sicilian song. E Vui Durmiti Ancora (And you sleep again!) When they sang it, they brought tears to our eyes and a beautiful sense of pride to the Sicilian people! An absolutely amazing performance! And each performance after this would be more and more amazing!
In September 2020 the guys went to the SMA Awards….
This is the statement the guys made at the beginning of this beautiful video. A new beginning.
Ignazio:2020 will be remembered as the year where the world would be constrained to be turned off.
Gianluca:For the music employees the verb “turn off” means the end of the show, when the curtains close and it is the waiting moment for the next show, but this time the waiting lasted more than expected, the silence was unavoidable.
Piero: Now, the world is getting ready to start again! Now the moment has arrived to raise the curtain! Now, we will turn on the music!
That evening, the guys chose to sing Nessun Dorma which sent a very strong message to the world and especially the entertainment industry. It says we may have to perform under these new world conditions, but we don’t have to change who we are or why we’re here. In this ancient Arena we look to the past while following the path to the future.
That night was a turning point for the guys. They set a precedence. Verona would now be the place where there would always be new beginnings. And every year thereafter, it was a new beginning. Every new and exciting event would be presented here!
Their identities, their individuality, who they truly are, would come to light in this magnificent Arena.
When they step on the stage, their presence is electrifying! From their first note the whole arena lights up. Their voices are clean and crisp. Their presence is illuminating. Their notes rise above the Arena into the night sky to let the world know they are there!
That night when they sang Nessun Dorma, in the final notes of their song they sent a message that would resonate throughout the industry, We have returned! Turn on the lights! And the whole industry came to life again.
What is so amazing about this is, over the months since they had left quarantine, they had almost single handedly brought back the music industry in Italy. The guys hit the restart button! They played a major role in the restart of the music industry In Italy!
An amazing feat by three guys who were barely recognized by Italy. But that too would change, and they would become the favorite child (children) of Italy! But I’m getting ahead of myself!
All the work they did after their quarantine moved things forward in Italy. This included a most important project, the concert in Tribute to Ennio Morricone and the recording of their album by the same name.
To mark this event, on June 5, 2021, they held the performance of a lifetime at the ancient Arena of Verona! Who will ever forget it!
This project which brought the music of four men together, Il Volo and Ennio Morricone, was absolutely extraordinary because they were extraordinary men. Having worked together when they were teenagers the guys were the perfect people to present the legacy of Ennio Morricone!
In 2020, the guys had an opportunity to do something very unusual, stay home! This project is the result of that rare opportunity! The idea of presenting an album of Morricone’s music is genius. Combine that with the genius of Il Volo and what do you get, an album of phenomenal songs!
That it truly was but what happened on that stage in Verona surpasses anything we can possibly imagine.
On June 5, 2021, it all came together in Verona, of course!
Let’s set the scene!
The first note and we immediately know it’s “The Ecstasy of Gold.” The whistle of the wind!
The setting is gold! Then white! Then gold! Look at the gold flecks that come in and out! The orchestra vibrates! Each note intensifies our senses. We’re drawn to the back of the stage. To a tunnel where we know our guys will appear! The focus is always rear center stage! The lights change to intense red and now we are looking at the stage from the back of the arena. We are coming forward. The shadow of Il Volo turns into a force that is coming towards us! The theme of the concert is set!
Listen to the intensity of their voices! What force! Watch their motions. Look at Gianluca! Watch his body react to the music! The fist that comes at you saying this is the punch, just the beginning. Listen to how Ignazio rides the note that guides us into the story! Now we’re sailing on the wind! Piero intensifies the moment with his powerful voice that says the journey has begun! Follow us!
The scenery is in motion again. In the background, the movie comes into view and blends with the voices! Everything on the stage comes to life! We’re now inside the film. Even the guys are taken by the movement around them. They look around and they are feeling the moment! Conductor, Andrea Morricone, Ennio Morricone’s son, steps up the music and we step back and look, in amazement, at what is before us!
What exactly is before us? A work of art! A Titian painting. In Venice there is a very magnificent painting by Titian called the Assumption. It is a painting in motion! Believe me, when I tell you what you are looking at on that stage is a Titian painting. Titian was known for his movement in painting! Titian was 24 years old when he painted the Assumption. Our guys are in their mid-twenties, and they painted the scene before you. If you don’t know the renaissance artist Titian, google him! You’ll understand what is going on here!
Now let me explain what is before you. Movement. Lots of movement.
Take a look at the stage! You, the audience are the spectators! You’re being drawn to the stage. You watch the guys’ approach, and you are in awe of their presence. You feel the intensity of the music, you and the guys are pulled into the movie. The music is all around you! Their voices are a force in your head. You look up in amazement! You are a part of the scenery! You are a part of the orchestra! You are a part of the movie! You are a part of ~ Il Volo! You have arrived and you are ready to follow the guys no matter where this journey leads you! It’s only the beginning! Fasten your seat belts. Phenomenal!
And let’s not forget this was their first Live Concert on TV with Rai 1. Many more would follow!
This was a new adventure for them. It was out of their realm of reality. These songs gave them a new path. A new idea about the future of Il Volo.
Their movement into the future had begun. No going back. Before them was a road sign that said, “This is your path, follow it.” And so, they did.
My Favorite picture
So, what actually happened here? To answer that question, we have to move forward to 2023.
Individuality!!! You know that everyone loves Il Volo, but everyone loves his favorite guy, best! Though I don’t admit it too often, I love all the guys but, I too have a favorite! Think of how many times at a concert you said I wish (my guy) would sing more. You said that not because you don’t like the group but in fact you want to listen to each one individually. In 2023, their concerts presented this new idea. These concerts gave us the opportunity to look into the heart of our guys through their music. It allowed us to see them in a deeper and more personal way.
When the guys presented their songs, they were presenting in a new and different way. Each one told us what he always wanted to do in his solo and did it!
This is where they took another step forward and introduced us to themselves. They presented their individuality, and we met each one through the spirit of his soul!
With other groups this would have been a path divided but with them, it was a path united.
They had matured, they were vibrant, they had come into their own individuality. They knew what they wanted, and they went for it! Hence, the new idea of individuality was set into play.
They had matured in body and mind and their voices had gone to another level of magnificence!
Yes, we watched them grow but this is different. There’s a beautiful presence about them now. A certain elegance! After fourteen years they hadn’t wanned, they increased in strength and intensity! There was a certain power in their voices that grabbed you from the first note of the concert to the last.
Each guy had grown into his voice and had shown a maturity and style the likes of which men who are approaching the end of their careers can only have imagined! Fourteen years of a lifetime! A lifetime full of wonders and experience which most entertainers will never have the honor of knowing.
For Il Volo, 2023 was about another new beginning! At the Verona Arena, in May, Frederica Panicucci, who was the presenter of the Il Volo concert, had this to say about what would happen that evening. “During the evening Il Volo will show unpublished moments with solos and duets they never performed before. It will be their way of showing their different personalities.”
Yes, Federica was right, that night was different because we’ve heard these voices before but not in the way we heard them that night. The guys introduced us to their personal feelings about their music.
A great example of this is in Ignazio’s words before both concerts:
In the first concert Ignazio said, “I’ve always loved great female voices….”
And in the second concert he said, “I will try to take a trip to the most beautiful female songs in the world tonight.
So let’s start with one of Ignazio’s solos….
So, it seems Ignazio still enjoys singing these (female) songs. And why wouldn’t he? He is the only one of the three that can sing that kind of song because they are songs that require a strong voice that is very clear, crisp and very lyrical and a lot of passion must be put into each song! I think I just described Ignazio’s voice! Let me add and, “very soulful!”
On to Gianluca….
Here, we met the real Gianluca in his rock mode and he introduced us to his feelings for Elvis, Sinatra, Dylan and the Beatles.
And last but not least, Piero….
Piero brought us his perfect operatic voice. Whimsical and joyful. He has a great love and sincerity for this music. Opera is in his soul. He opens up that soul to us in these concerts with arias we have never heard him sing before.
So we have arrived at 2024 and the return to Sanremo….
They were so ready for it.
Yes all they had to do was step on the stage and they would come into their moment. And so they did.
They certainly had THE song. Capolavoro certainly was a Masterpiece. They had the charisma, the style, the unbelievable professionalism. Their performance surpassed any performance in the Festival. Did they win, no, because they had something else, they had the same old reporters who know nothing about music and are prejudiced against them.
What made a difference this time was they were there to honor their Fifteen Years of a Lifetime on the Ariston Stage where it all began for them fifteen years earlier! It was about their time together and no one was going to take that from them. And so, they celebrated! Interview after interview, one better than the other. It all turned into an amazing party! What a party it was!
What was amazing about it all was Italy really woke up. Yes, over the last few years they began to recognize them but this time they cherished them. They made them their own and this was their dream for fifteen years!
And here we are back at Verona. It is 2024 and they are ready to heighten your senses. This night was all about what they had succeeded in doing over the last few years. And they shared this evening with so many other wonderful entertainers.
You know what I like most about these guys, I like the way they present themselves to the people, especially the Italian people, in their concerts. For all the prejudice against them, they are so down to earth. They accept everything with a grain of salt. There is not a jealous bone in their bodies. They openly admire those who share their stage. They are fair, they are kind, and they are loving. They are by far the greatest entertainers in the world today.
Just before they released their album Ad Astra, Gianluca summed it all up in this way.
Ad Astra is the journey of all of us.
Not only the result of talent, tenacity and passion, but the courageous story of those who choose to descend into the depths of the soul.
Ad Astra wants to be the testimony of our history and that of all those who find in music a language to discover themselves and express the hidden part of themselves.
‘Can’t you see something we have in common? Show me all your cuts and weaknesses because I know that deep down they are the same, mine, yours, with the same fears, no one knows the way…’
I hope that Ad Astra today can mean for you what is a symbol and victory for us: a harmony that can guide you towards new horizons.
Thanks to you who made all this possible. I love you.
As I mentioned in my story Sitting on the Edge of the Universe,the songs on this album, Ad Astra, are the story of their lives. Young boys who left their families to join an adult world where they would have to grow up very quickly. No teenage years! No silly flirtations and a new girlfriend every other week! No! Just recording studios and world stages that would introduce them to a new kind of family! A family that would always be there waiting for them when they arrived in their city. Fans who would become family!
There were many lonely nights and many disappointments when they wanted so much more out of their lives, out of their relationships, but the concert always came first, and they would learn how to adjust their lives to fit the scenario!
Now they are finally finding a way to incorporate all things. They are looking for love and finding it and they are learning how to enjoy their family and home lives more! The new individuality is not just about music. It’s also about their lives. They are learning how to please everyone including themselves. The turning point in their lives brought them to this moment and on the path of New Horizons.
Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!
For your listening pleasure one of the concerts Verona 2024
After a two-month absence I planned to come back and write an amazing story about our truly amazing guys. I thought a lot about what I would write. But on the last day of my trip to Iceland, I got the sad news that Barbara Vitali had passed away as the result of a car crash. Poor beautiful Barbara. What a great loss!
When I got the news, I thought I will still write an amazing story, but it will be about an amazing woman ~ Barbara Vitali.
Barbara was a crucial figure for Il Volo, though she remained behind the scenes she was ever present. She quietly fulfilled a significant role in Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca’s lives. Her influence was palpable, akin to a guiding shadow that watched over the boys.
Finding information about Barbara is challenging, almost impossible, yet her impact was undeniable. Very little is known about Barbara’s life. We know next to nothing about her childhood and her formative years. If I had to sum up Barbara’s life, I would have to say her life began the day she met Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca. She never sought the limelight. She never imposed on the tour but was always present. Her role was vital, and it took immense patience to fulfill it. Michele Torpedine once said, “she was instrumental in harmonizing the lives of Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca.”
The boys’ diverse backgrounds, their adolescent challenges, and their often-long absences from their parents required someone to step into the role of mother with a certain gentleness and compassion. Barbara stepped into and up to the role of Second Mother. Barbara was by far an exceptional mother to the boys.
Her role also required her to be a diplomat. She was exceptional in the role! She was the buffer between the boys and the fans who wanted so much more. She knew the limits and proposed the boundaries. She was overly protective! Perhaps that is why she excelled in her role; always present, always supportive, accompanying them on their journeys without fanfare.
Coordinating three youngsters from different family backgrounds into a cohesive unit was no small task. On international tours she managed all of their daily lives, keeping in mind no two boys were alike, and each needed to be handled in a different way. She was the person the boys most loved and admired besides their families. She was the go-to person! In her role as Second Mother, she certainly won the Mother of the Year Award (for 15 years).
She cultivated a profound relationship with the boys and their families, earning the love and respect of all of them.
Fans who were fortunate to meet her were captivated by her warmth and grace.
The boys have matured into fine young men, partly due to her role in their lives. Until that fatal moment, Barbara remained indispensable to them. Her guidance extended beyond professional duties, influencing the character formation and fostering a deep mutual affection and respect between herself and Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca.
Barbara was a cherished confidante and supporter, essential to the fabric of Il Volo’s success and personal growth.
The fans are grateful for her invaluable contributions, recognizing her enduring impact on the group.
Her role as Road Manager came second to her role as Second Mother.
Dear Barbara, you will be dearly missed by the guys. They are heartbroken by your loss. You are gone from their sight but not their hearts. You will always be one of the reasons why Il Volo became who they are. Their greatness was your reward in life.
I didn’t want to disturb the story with music, so, I left the music till the end. At their concert in Catania, the guys sang their hearts out through their tears! Very emotional moments, tears of love for the woman who gave her life to these young men and gave them all her love and affection! Just as any good mother does for her children!
Piero:We started this profession when we were 15 years old and we traveled the world and with us there has always been a person who traveled all over the world with us, every day.
She was a mother when we were younger, she was the person, the most important figure for us in our travels and we would like to publicly say that we, but above all our families, will be eternally grateful to her, because our parents when they knew that she was with us and we were with Barbara, they slept soundly.
It’s very difficult and this evening, this concert will be the first of all those we will dedicate to it throughout our lives.
Gianluca: We are all united, everyone, everyone, everyone for our Barbara, everyone, from the crew, from the technicians, from the musicians, from Michele Torpedine, all for her, because she was a special person who will continue to live inside us and will give us strength to continue doing this work, because we will sing for her, Barbara we will sing for you, for a lifetime, for a lifetime, we love you.
Ignazio:And as I said before, we would like to make this moment even more special if you help us with the flashes of your cell phones to illuminate the whole square, so for those who believe in it, someone from up there is watching us.
Thank you, Daniela, for the translation.
Following are more songs from the concert at Catania. It was all about Barbara!
According to Daniela Perani, there was a tragic car accident, Sunday evening at 8 PM near Bologna. Barbara was driving her Fiat 500 car. For reasons still under investigation, the car driven by a 49-year-old man and the car of Barbara, 54, had a head-on collision. The man died immediately; Barbara was transported by helicopter to the hospital in Bologna.
Barbara passed away on July 9, 2024, at the Sant’Orsola Hospital in Bologna.
I’m sorry to say there will be no story today. In fact, I need to step out for a while.
As you know I am writing a new book and right now I am hitting a hard deadline. In order to meet my obligations to my publisher, I must give my undivided attention to my new book. I will be busy over the next two months writing, doing my interviews, and also tending to my pilgrimage business. As a result, I will not publish my column again until July 17th.
I will miss you all and I look forward to returning in July.
In the meantime, as I’ve told you on other occasion, you can get all my stories and Daniela’s stories on www.ilvoloflightcrw.com
Go to the search bar and ask for what it is you want to read about. Ex. If you want to read about Gianluca just type in his name and his stories will come up. The same for Ignazio and Piero. If you want to read a story by Daniela type Daniela or Daniela Perani. The same for my stories. Susan or Susan De Bartoli
Join me on July 17th as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and bring you an amazing Il Volo story.
For your listening pleasure, I will leave you with this concert from Verona 2024
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
