Category Archives: General news

Birthday, Editorials, General news, Piero

Tanti Auguri, Piero! June 24, 2017

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Twenty-four years in the making, and one month in the planning of your birthday party, by the Il Volo Gals of Detroit!  Lucky for us, your birthday was on a Saturday this year!  1-pieroThat made it easy for us to plan and make sure everyone would be able to come and enjoy and relax and have fun.

As we were putting the final touches on your party, we could see from Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, that you had a jump on the festivities for yourself!  Lots of champagne, a little vodka, pizza, and some whipped cream possibly?  I’m sure you made it last all weekend, including a boat ride and swimming and lawn games with friends.

Saturday, June 24, 2017, proved to be a most beautiful day in Detroit, Michigan.  Gorgeous blue skies, a light breeze, big puffy white clouds, and about a cool 75 degrees.Picture11  Might have been a bit chilly for the pool, here…but we had a great time as always.

We invited our core group of 6 and a few others.  Betty from New Orleans tried to make it up here, but due to the storms tumbling through the Louisiana coast a few days prior, it was difficult to get a flight out.  However, she said she would be sure to be here for your next birthday – a quarter century it will be!

Target time for arrival was about 4p.  Lorna and I got there about 4:30p and a short time Picture5Donna arrived and everyone was there.  Emilia would be coming later to join us after she got off work, after 9:00pm.

We brought so much food!  We partied at Sharon’s, like always, and spread out our pot luck smorgasboard of cheese/crackers, chips/salsa, and fruit.  We brought chicken, salmon, brats, sausages, and hot dogs for the grill.  We had a nice healthy salad and green beans, too.  We even had some pulled pork!  And who could forget the wine and champagne and our toast to you!  Of course, everything was delicious… We ate outsidePicture6 under the beautiful early evening air, Picture14enjoying the serenity of the rushing water of the fountain in Sharon’s koi ponds.

There were special gift bags around the table where the cake was displayed with your picture on it.  Several of us contributed little gifts to go in the bags….as we also celebrated a few other birthdays on Saturday.  We impatiently waited until about 9:25p, when Emilia finally got there.  We were like little kids, peaking inside, Picture9wondering what was in the bags.  You may remember Emilia is the one who brought you the box of treats and sweets in Detroit at the meet and greet.  For us, she made peanut butter bars, oh so tasty!

Emilia finally arrived!  We greeted her and she had a bite to eat.  Then it was time to sing Tanti Auguri to you.  After 4 or 5 attempts, I think we finally got a good version!  Ok, finally, Christmas had come in June and it was time to pass outPicture3 the presents.  I knew what was in there, so my camera was ready to take pictures of the one special gift from Chris, along with a few others.  I took pictures of the faces of happiness and surprise, and sheer joy.

Oh, you want to know what was in the bags, too? 🙂  Well, some very thoughtful little gifts, ranging from personalized calendars and magnets, to Sicilian lemon candies and a Sicilian Lemon candle from Yankee Candle, to a wine bottle stopper, M&Ms, some sweet Picture12treats and photos from past events!  It was quite the little treasure bag – a big Grazie Mille to Chris, who had been planning this for months, as well as Lorna!

Then it was time – time to have some cake.  We hesitated in cutting into the beautiful cake, but we managed to cut all around it to save the beautiful picture of that handsome Picture13fella on the front.  The cake was chocolate with chocolate frosting with a strawberry filling between the layers.  It was almost as sweet and wonderful as you.

Before we cut the cake and were trying to figure out the selfie sticks, Emilia ran around and took selfies of us all (after she figured out the selfie stick!) 🙂

After the cake was done and we had stuffed the last crumb of the peanut butter bars into our mouths, we collapsed in chairs, looking at all of our presents.  Picture10We also put on the Pompeii concert to listen to that.  Soon, it was nearly midnight and time for us to say goodbye.

We had a wonderful evening… we helped Sharon clean up and put away the food.  Believe it or not, there were still nearly 3 whole bottles of wine left!

No games were played at this party, just the usual fun, laughter and togetherness we share in loving Il Volo!

It was hugs all around, as we said our goodbyes.  A few of us, including myself, stayed the night as we stayed up to watch another concert of yours!

To all the guys…you give us reasons to party, to have fun, to remember, and to hope, and for a few nights a year, forget all our troubles and be thankful you are Il Volo and we can Picture4share in this special experience that we all know and love.  You give us joy and inspiration to keep going sometimes, day after day, when we think we can’t go on, but when we look into your eyes, our problems fade away... Until next time, Piero!  Have a wonderful year!

Jana and the Detroit Il Volo Gals….

Chris, Lorna, Ginny, Sharon, Donna, Barb, Magdalena, & Emilia

 

 

Editorials, General news, Gianluca, Holiday, Ignazio, Il Volo, Piero

“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness…” July 4, 1776! (2017)

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First, let’s wish Signora Eleonora Barone, a very happy birthday!!  🙂

Now, a short lesson in American history…

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

(from US History.org)

Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it two days later on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.[7]

(from Wikipedia) 
Ok, I admit, American history was probably my most hated and boring of classes I ever had to take in high school.  It was not helped by Sr. Angela Marie, a well-meaning, 4 ft,, soft-spoken, 80 year-old, little Felician nun.  I barely passed with a grade of C.  I can’t say I remember much of that entire year of American history, except I was so glad when it was over!  I don’t ever recall having to read the declaration of independence, but I do remember Whitney invented the first steamboat, or was that Robert Fulton?  (yes, I think Whitney did the cotton gin!) Ah, I probably slept through most of it.
However, as we grow older, we learn to appreciate the things we often hated most, like rules, and how important some of those things were; like understanding American history!  (did you know that in an interview many years ago, Ignazio said he loved history – so smart at such a young age!)   I can’t say I recall ever having heard the first paragraph of the declaration of independence, although as a class field trip in 1976, we went to see the movie 1776!  It was our 200 year birthday of independence for the United States.  I recall getting these HUGE chocolate candy bars, wrapped in red, white, and blue and I think Betsy Ross was on there somewhere.  I also remember thinking the chocolate was not that great, not even Hershey grade.  Ok I was about 11 – I was discerning, even back then…
Ah, “the pursuit of happiness…”  Yes, I must tie this into the guys….  This declaration of independence gave us our freedom to be happy.  And to follow our guys, is our greatest freedom, joy, and happiness!  We know the guys love America and America loves the guys – at least our little part of it!

So, on this one special day of the year for the United States, let’s all join, from every nation, country, and continent, and stand tall, proud, and brave, and united together, in pursuing our happiness and greatest passion – Il Volo!

Wishing everyone a safe, and happy, Fourth of July!  Wherever you may be.  Last year, Lorna and I were in Verona at their “last” concert from the Grande Amore tour.  Talk about fireworks!  Best 4th of July I ever had!!  🙂

 Picture2

Since everyone seemed to love it on the last post, I thought I’d post it again!  Here they are, our beloved Il Volo, singing our cherished national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner!  From 2013, at Dodger Stadium! (did you know the star-spangled banner refers to the American flag?)

 

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did!  🙂

Jana

Editorials, General news, Il Volo, Il Volo Professional, Notte Magica, Uncategorized

Notte Magica – The Movie Event! June 21, 2017

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This is a spoiler alert for those of you who haven’t seen the movie yet!  Close your eyes and look away…..

nottemagica header

On Wednesday, June 21, 2017, a group of the Detroit Il Volo gals ventured to Bloomfield Twp. Michigan to the Maple Theatre to see the Notte Magica movie.  I had heard a few reviews/comments from Victoria and Jane, so I kind of knew what to expect.  They both told me there were a few clips that we hadn’t seen before of them playing around, a short bit from the Home and Family show and a quick excerpt from the LA concert at the Dolby.  They also showed a quick pic of them with Priscilla Presley.  Yep, that was all true – I think I had seen a few of the clips before, as well on some form of social media.

Then, as they both said, it went into the Florence concert with a few subtitles here and there, but basically it was similar to both DVDs of the Italian and PBS versions and in English.

However, as I recall, there was a constant camera going back and forth in front of us when we were there.  I have to tell you, with all the camera work going on, it was clear that this movie was part of their master plan of the future.  The footage that was shown in the movie was far superior to either of the DVDs.  Many shots and scenes were the same, but there were others that were not shown before here and there.

It was almost like being there, right in the front row.  Third row for me again.  Unfortunately, Lorna was not able to make it.  Every so often Gin would say, “there you are, I see you!”  Well, I must have blinked at that moment, because I didn’t see me!  lol!  However, nearer to the end, after the last orchestra solo, I saw Lorna and I sitting in the audience.  They flashed the same shot twice, just for us, to be sure we saw it.  🙂

Of course the guys were amazing.  I thought it was going to be too loud, but once it got started, it was just fine.  There were about 35 tickets sold, not too bad.  Not sure how many persons actually showed up, but I’d say there were at least over 25 in the theatre.  We had the 6th row all to ourselves…. no one was in front of us.  We clapped during the Libiamo song and clapped and cheered at the end of most of them – just like we were at the real concert.  Every once in a while, we heard those behind us clapping.  I sang along to Tonight and Maria.  It was so loud, I’m sure no one heard me…

I have to say, seeing them on the big screen, so much larger than life, was incredible.  The close-up shots were fantastic and so close and clear, that you could count the hairs on their chins!  It was almost the entire concert, but no songs other than what was shown on the other DVDs.  They did not show Adeste Fidelis, which I can’t figure out why they sang it and then just cut it out of the final cuttings.  O Come Let us Adore Him – yes, O Come Let us Adore Them!!  Any time, any place, we will be there!

I even brought along a new fan with me that evening.  I had converted her over at work.  She is a busy person and had not really heard them sing much, although she did say she looked them up on You Tube.  She is a “younger” fan and she thoroughly enjoyed herself, the movie and meeting us more “mature” fans.  When it was all over, I asked her if she had a favorite and she said it was too soon to tell and that each one is so unique, unto himself, that it was hard to choose.  She sent me an email a few days later and said she was still deciding!!  🙂

Before the show, we enjoyed a meal at the little café, right inside the theatre lobby area.  A little pricey, but nice and convenient.

We also met another Il Volo fan group from the area – Lynn Delaney and friends.  This was her second time of seeing the movie.  She said she enjoyed it the 2nd time, just as much!

The only comments I have about this is that I did wish they had included the Adeste Fidelis and I thought a really nice touch would have been to add the Grande Amore from the LA concert, to really tie in the 2 concerts.  Not sure why they seemed to emphasize both concerts and only about 5 minutes or less was spent on LA.  But, of course, they didn’t consult with me on this – if only they had, it would have been better!  🙂

So, for those of you who have not seen it yet and it comes anywhere near you, I would highly recommend it.  It is just about 2 hours long – they tag it as 110 minutes.

If they decide to release it on DVD, it is definitely going to be part of my collection!

This is the write-up from the IL VOLO website…

A concert-event that brings to life magical moments from Il Volo’s World Tour 2017 – from the backstage of their March performance in Los Angeles to the birth of their tour with Plácido Domingo in the magnificent setting of Florence’s Piazza Santa Croce. The event features the concert along with never before seen, cinema-exclusive footage.

This trio of young Italian tenors, today’s operatic pop phenomenon, have delighted audiences in prestigious venues worldwide.

Il Volo started their US tour with a sold-out show at New York’s Radio City Music Hall and then performing in 15 concerts. The cinema program highlights a recent concert at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater, where Maestro Placido Domingo joined the trio on stage.

Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca are now touring Europe and Italy.

This film-concert is distributed worldwide by Rising Alternative beginning from June 2017.

Images including stage and media appearances, rehearsals with Plácido Domingo, backstage moments and audience reactions during the US tour will precede this first concert exhibition, mastered for 2k Digital Cinema presentation in surround sound.

This title has already been booked into cinemas in about 20 countries: in Finland where it opens on June 7, in Spain June 13, in the USA beginning from June 13, in Italy June 15, in Switzerland June 15, in Ecuador June 19, in Slovakia  June 20,  in Mexico July 9 and 13, in Austria September 14 and in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands and Ireland on dates to be determined very shortly.

Updated cinema show times by country are posted on http://www.ilvoloincinema.com

This project is a tribute to the Three Tenors. In 1990, José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti performed their legendary concert at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, and now, 27 years later, Il Volo’s Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble honor the legend of The Three Tenors by bringing this iconic classical music to new and familiar audiences. Il Volo grew up listening to them, being fascinated and inspired by their voices and legendary achievements.

NOTTE MAGICA Tour 2017 kicked off with the concert in Florence – Piazza Santa Croce with the great orchestra of the famous Teatro Massimo di Palermo conducted by Maestro Ramón Tebar. As a special guest, Maestro Plácido Domingo also participated in the concert, conducting some of the operatic arias and popular songs.

Il Volo “Notte Magica” in Cinemas will show the group on tour and then singing some of the most famous Neapolitan songs and arias from the Italian and international opera repertoire – all of which were sung by the original Three Tenors.

NOTTE MAGICA – a magical night tribute to The Three Tenors’ is a project conceived by Michele Torpedine, Il Volo’s creator, manager and producer and is distributed in cinemas worldwide by Rising Alternative, in collaboration with Sony Music Masterworks, Sony Music Italy, C Major Entertainment and SpectiCast.

“A tribute to such artists and to such an event could be considered presumptuous, but in fact it is not, as we have not the slightest thought of comparing ourselves to our idols, our artistic inspirations,” say Il Volo.

“I am very happy to be with Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca conducting them in this magic night under the stars in such a beautiful city: Florence! I really love these guys. They are performing such a great repertoire around the world – some of the music my colleagues and I performed in our own concerts”, says Plácido Domingo

For those of you in Canada, it looks like the closest for you would be Vashon, Washington, which is between Seattle and Tacoma on the map.  It doesn’t look like they have added any additional locations since a month ago, but you never know – keep looking!

Editorials, General news, Il Volo, Italia ~~ Italian Life, Piero

Scala Dei Turchi ~ by Daniela

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Today we saw Piero having fun with his friends on a water bike (his passion).

 

Piero and his friends were going to the sea in Sicily in front of the area called Scala dei Turchi.

image

LA SCALA DEI TURCHI

 

The Scala dei Turchi is a rocky wall (cliff) rising over the sea along the coast between Realmonte and Porto Empedocle in the province of Agrigento.

The Scala dei Turchi has a wavy and irregular shape, with sweet and rounded lines.

The name comes from the past raids of Turkish pirates, who were sheltered in this area less than the winds and representing a safer landing.

The beach is famous for the candida and dazzling color of its rocks; is a protected area but in the past it has been threatened several times by tourism …

 

image

In the first video, Piero says:

 

“Guys, Good morning to everyone, from La Scala dei Turchi“

 

And one of his friends says:

 

“Look what spectacle we have here in Sicily guys”

 

In the second video Piero presents his friends.

 

Credit to all owners of videos and photos.

 

 

~~Jane~~

Editorials, General news, Gianluca, IL Volo Off Stage, Randomness

Digithon – Featuring Gianluca! June 23, 2017

24 Comments

Gianluca was featured in this interview on Digithon!  Daniela kindly gave us her own translation summary of the interview.  Gianluca talked about their new album which will be in Spanish.  I know some are upset that it will be in Spanish, but there may also be a few songs in English as well.  We will just have to wait to find out!  But, as we all know, it does not matter what language they sing in, it’s the melodious sound of their voices and exquisite harmony that touches our soul.  Music is truly the universal language!   Whatever our amores sing, it will be grande!  🙂

Wherever they were, it must have been really hot!  The audience is fanning themselves and even poor Gianluca is sweating!  But he stays cool, like always!

Enjoy the video below and Daniela’s translation for us in English…. (thank you to AAIV for posting to YouTube)  This interview is just about 45 minutes long.

The interview for IL VOLO to Bisceglie (Bari) has just ended.

IL VOLO was represented by Gianluca Ginoble and was interviewed by Paolo Giordano, a journalist who at the time of Sanremo’s victory had criticized them very much and was now very much reckless.

Intro to the show video….. from Viva….

Here is a little more from Daniela, I believe this is what Gian is talking about in the intro  video, to the interview below…

G = Despite the many interviews I’ve made in these years, whenever there is a camera I sometimes get emotion to me, I block me, so it’s not easy for me, but to see all these people, from children to grandparents, that they appreciate IL VOLO and our music, it is beautiful.

We also arrived here in Bisceglie, so I’m really happy to be here, it looks a little like my country, I grew up in a country, in the squares, so I find myself as if I were at home.

I am downtown, south-central, so I see it very similar to my little village.

The interviewer asks: A date in Puglia asking the fans for IL VOLO, can we satisfy them?

G = I really think so, next year, this year, unfortunately we can not do this, we are heading to South America and Asia, so unfortunately we will not do it this year, but next year we will do as much as possible, 

I = a fast word on Digithon, the event that connects the digital world to all the world, a world that you run with your comrades 

G = Exactly, people should know and maybe it is a good opportunity to show the public things that maybe they were hidden and above all this theme that also concerns us artists, all very interesting

 Interview is very pleasant, at the beginning they speak of the origins and of Sanremo and of the importance of Italian music in the world.

They talk about haters who often make unpleasant comments and then they are people who if the meet on road maybe ask for the autograph.

Gianluca says that internet has given way to so many people to express themselves but also  so many “cretins.”

Gianluca says that he likes photography very much and uses a lot of instagram in particular he appreciates that when he is abroad in a moment they can see him at home.

Giordano stresses the fact that there are few Italian artists who can talk about success abroad as them.

Giordano introduces the topic of digital music (Digithon) and Gianluca says it is very much heard but it is a cellphone music that does not have much extension and construction, certainly not that of IL VOLO says Giordano.

Then he is asked to sing a piece of a song and Gianluca mentions “Falling in love” and Paolo Giordano appreciates him very much.

Gianluca talks about the next record and says it will be in Spanish and will be produced by Estefan that Giordano says is one of the two or three most famous and important producers in the world.

Giordano says he interviewed Julio Iglesias a month ago and when asked who he was listening to Italian singers he first replied to IL VOLO.

They talk to the public of various ages who love IL VOLO.

Giordano asks if Gianluca Piero and Ignazio quarrel and Gianluca responds “always but like three brothers, then we have lived unforgettable moments and shared the stage, memorable experiences, they are my companions not traveling, but flying.”

They remember when Barbra Streisand called them.

Gianluca says they will make their first concert in Japan in November.

Giordano admits that at the beginning he was not one of those who admired the Flight, but then saw that they too have changed, they evolved and in particular he realized they were good and so he changed their mind.

They talk about social criticism, and Gianluca says he is quite indifferent because there is so much jealousy and so many criticisms that are not constructive but only full of hatred.

a group gian

Photo credits to owners….

Giordano resumes the argument by saying that many journalists were wary of IL VOLO but now he is aware that this distrust is disappearing because the data of their success is visible and you can not ignore their skill.

Giordano asks Gianluca who he wants to thank and Gianluca takes the opportunity to thank the dad who has always supported and believed in him without forcing him and Mr. ERCOLE present moves.

A  girl from public asks Gianluca how he will be in 10 years and he says maybe there will be solo projects but IL VOLO will always be there.

Giordano remembers that the pastor died at Montepagano and tomorrow at the funeral Gianluca will sing for him, Gianluca is moved to tears by recalling the affection of this pastor who has always been close to him.

a - gian priest

Below is an excerpt from the interview, with some English subtitles.  Thank you to IV Performances for the YouTube upload!

In the end, it is asked Gianluca to sing a short song and he plays a bit of Anema and Core but also forgets the words. It was all improvised and unproven.

Near the end, Gian gets a bit frustrated with the interviewer, saying he is not listening….

I resumed the interview and I think I understand that is after the public girl’s question, almost at the end of the video, Gianluca is saying that Piero will be tenor because he is studying so much for this project, then while talking about Ignazio projects, he stops because he says that Giordano is not listening to him and he no longer takes up the subject, concludes by saying that there will be solo projects but IL VOLO will always be united. 

 

They salute and thank everyone.

Just in case we forgot how much Gian loves photography and Instagram, I thought I’d enclose a few reminders from the last few days…. 🙂  Could this possibly be the same little boy with the curls and impish grin that we remember from just a few years ago? 

 

a gian mat article featuring Gianluca – Digithon – 6/23/17
a gain beach article featureing Gianluca – Digithan – Bari Beach – 6/23/17

Ciao, until next time….

Jana