Category Archives: Il Volo

Article or Video Translations, Il Volo

BILLBOARD INTERVIEW 2019 by Daniela

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In the absence of any news, requests for translations continue.
Albertine, sent me a video of a small interview with Il Volo and Billboard, during the presentation of the 10 years CD.
During that time there were many interviews and I had not seen this one, I enjoyed listening to it and I think you will enjoy it too when you read the translation.
Good fun!

B = Music has been, is, and will be your life.
In 10 YEARS The Best Of, there are 19 tracks that you have selected, what were the criteria that made you decide to include these tracks, and, now, there were some tracks that were not chosen and that you regretted not to have inserted in the CD?
GIAN = We have chosen very carefully, what is our repertoire, it was not so difficult to choose the most famous songs in Italy and abroad, such as “Caruso” or an aria like “Nessun Dorma”, even unreleased songs such as “Grande Amore”. It contains our whole story, from “O Sole Mio”, which was our first single, when we were 14/15 years old, up to “Grande Amore” or “Musica Che Resta”. It is a choice of songs that represents us, I would say that it is our presentation, the identity card, even for those who do not know us, this is Il Volo.
B = You are the perfect evolution of what the Italian opera singers who preceded you were: Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli, a sort of 3.0 version, pop lyric, which is a little bit what happened to pop music that has winked, to the world INDIE, to then merge together and obtain excellent results.
What do you think of INDIE music? Is there anything you particularly like? Have you ever thought about a further indie-lyric evolution?
IGNAZIO = Indian is good!
PIERO = We are trying to follow the path, the message, that Pavarotti tried to do in the past with the famous “Pavarotti and friends”, to bring the belcanto out of the theaters, and to the general public.
Andrea Bocelli has been doing it for many years. We are three young 24/25 year olds who do something different, we can say UNIQUE, we try to bring this musical genre, which is part of our culture and tradition, to our peers, there are those who do not know it, they may like it or not, however, in our opinion, everyone must know what was born in our country and not.
IGNAZIO = Regardless of whether you like it or not.
PIERO = Absolutely.
We respect all genres of music. As for the INDIE, we listen to all genres of music, respect them and try to learn a little from everyone.
B = Let’s retrace these 10 incredible years, which probably, if, at the beginning of everything, you had been told about the success you could achieve, you would have thought it crazy.
The last crazy thing, in chronological order, you have done is the exhibition in Panama in front of the Pope, on the occasion of World Youth Day, January 26.
Before that experience, can you tell me, each of you, a moment that has left its mark on you?
GIAN = I start because a good moment came to mind: one of the best moments was in 2014 winning the LATIN BILLBOARD, and this is one of the most beautiful things (looks Piero and Ignazio in the face to confirm) or not, or am I wrong ? Nice, or not it?
IGNAZIO = Yes, of course!
PIERO = By the way, we can tell a nice anecdote…… always telling serious things ….. right in that event, all three, which nobody knows, we had broken pants, below (and he marks in the groin).
IGNAZIO = I don’t remember we had broken pants.
PIERO = All three, all three had broken pants.
GIAN = NO, we don’t sing with broken pants.
PIERO = It was a very delicate material. Since before the event, we walked on the “red carpet”, the material was a little worn.
GIAN = It was slightly worn.
PIERO = It was slightly, quite worn out.
IGNAZIO = So what was the anecdote?
PIERO = Receive the prize with the pants with holes in them.
GIAN = But they weren’t holes.
PIERO = They had holes in them, trust me.
GIAN = Yours.
PIERO = No, those of all three.
IGNAZIO = But if you had holes in your pants, why did you have to think that mine were holes too?
PIERO = Because they had holes in them.
IGNAZIO = They were your pants with holes in them!
GIAN = Okay, but tell us what’s your best time?
IGNAZIO + PIERO = The pants with holes!
GIAN = Come on!
PIERO = No, there are many moments, but I believe that the moment lived with naivety, the one that while you are doing it, you do not understand what you are experiencing, is that of WE ARE THE WORLD for Haiti, with Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie, and all great American singers.
At that moment, we looked at each other and thought: “What are we doing here in the middle?”, however it was a good experience.
IGNAZIO = I celebrated my 17th birthday, on stage with Barbra Streisand, so …… that !!
PIERO = And at fifteen, you high-fived Steven Tyler on American Idol.
IGNAZIO = Yes
PIERO = And what did you do the day before?
IGNAZIO = What had I done ??
PIERO = It’s very funny, it still makes me laugh.
IGNAZIO = But you are strange, age hurts you.
B = Let’s talk about the tour, after you returned from Brazil, where you performed in front of tens of thousands of people,  you are ready, already in 2020, to restart with the North American Tour and you will perform in 11 countries, in places such as RCMH in New York, do you have something different in mind or some surprises to celebrate these 10 years in all these places?
GIAN = Surely we will strive not to repeat ourselves with our shows, and always do something new, it is clear, the repertoire is that, we certainly add some more songs, as we did in the DVD, adding classics, we also sing individually, everyone has the his space, we also sing in duet.
Maybe there will be some guests, as we had Alessandro Quarta guest on our tour this year, a great rock violinist, very strong.
We are working on this, even with the artistic or stage production, to enrich the show a little with many things.
B = During all these years, you have seen and visited many cities, thanks to your European and world dates. Many Italian artists have decided to move abroad, or to live there for several months a year. Is there a city that has aroused this feeling in you, or the love for your country is too much, so, will you want to stay here and have not thought about this thing? 
PIERO = It is difficult to choose a city outside of Italy. I could say San Francisco, but after a couple of months, I would definitely want to return.
IGNAZIO = It is difficult, I would never think of going to live outside Italy, I would like it as an idea, ……but I am more and more convinced,  that…. I live in Bologna and I love Bologna, today I came to Milan by car and thank you, that I live in Bologna because it is a city where you can move, without taking 40 minutes to cross the city.
GIAN = During the recordings of the first album, also of the second, we can say that we spent two years in Los Angeles, we lived for months in Los Angeles, and going back there wouldn’t be bad, or living in New York for a few months ….
IGNAZIO = You go there, then we meet.
GIAN = ….. to do a full immersion, not only for the language, which we now speak, but to experience New York, to experience a different city.
B = Guys like you, who in 10 years have conquered, and obtained what many artists will never obtain, how do they find new stimuli?
GIAN = Actually it is not true that we do not miss anything, maybe this is coming, but we have many goals, and still many dreams and desires. Also because so many things have happened, our life has allowed us to mature and grow faster, but it is clear that there are still many things, many dreams to be achieved.
PIERO = The desire to make music is great, apart from today we announced our new album, but above all the next events, the next concerts in Italy, we will sing on August 30th at the Verona Arena and September 4th at the Ancient Theater of Taormina (unfortunately both postponed for Covid) and on November 19th, we advise you not to miss our concert on Canale 5, Live from Matera.
B = Perfect, thank you very much and good luck for everything.
G + P + I = Thank you, die the wolf! (it is a way of responding to the phrase good luck)
Have you already seen and read this interview?
I know there is an automatic translator, but the words are often distorted, plus many of you can’t activate it.
I hope you liked it, and made you laugh with the squabble about broken pants!!
These guys are amazing! 😁😁😁
Daniela

Credit to owners of all photos and video.

Article or Video Translations, Il Volo

A Taxi Takes Flight: Carpool Karaoke – Il Volo Style By Giovanna

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A number of readers have been asking Daniela for a translation of Il Volo’s appearance on “Carpool Karaoke,” with Jake La Furia.  It aired on Italian TV in April 2017, and was posted on the Flight Crew page on June 1, 2017.  This translation is yet another episode in the continuing saga of “Looking Back at Il Volo,” that Daniela started this year, to keep us entertained while we wait for the guys to return to world touring.
The Italian Carpool Karaoke is a goofy reality TV show where celebrities get in Jake La Furia’s yellow taxi and have an opportunity to be funny and spontaneous as La Furia drives them around Rome.  Of course, i nostri ragazzi (our guys) are masters of the art of funny and spontaneous, as we all know.
Some parts of the episode do not need translation.  You just have to watch the antics, and you’ll double over laughing.  Ignazio, sempre lo spiritoso, (always the funny man), is especially delightful and in his element here.  That must be why they sat him in the front passenger seat (after a fight, of course).
If you want, the link to follow along is:

I’ll start the translation from where La Furia picks up the guys somewhere along Il Lungotevere.  You can tell they had pre-planned that when Jake picks them up to start the show, a certain two of them would start arguing like Sicilians.
Some of the early puns about their name don’t translate fully to English, but everything else is hilariously self-explanatory.  Also, as Italians typically do, Jake and the guys often talk on top of each other, so you can’t hear every wisecrack.
So here we go!
Jake: (To himself as he pulls up). “Yes, I really know Rome.”  Then he sees there are three passengers waiting on the curb waiting to get in.
Piero: “I’ll sit in the front.”
Igna: “No, I’m going to.”
Piero: “No, I’ll sit in the front.”
Lots of scuffling as they fight over the front door: “Let go” “Let me in” “Stop arguing.”  “All of you get in, already.” “Stay the way you are.” (Igna in front).
Jake: “So, when I saw I was going to have an episode of the tenors with me in transit (al volo). . .”
Piero: “That’s the same joke they make in the airport Who do you have on this flight (on “il volo”)? (Il Volo)!.
Jake: “That’s enough.  Those puns are terrible.”
Igna: (Still being punny): “Or, I’ll tell you something on the fly” (“al volo”).
Jake:  So, tell me how things are going.  What are you doing now?
Igna:  We’re going around (touring) a little, after finishing an American tour.
Jake:  How did it go?
Piero:  It was awful, sad.
Igna:  Yes. It was rather sad, because we had to go and find people to fill the empty taxis.  (You can tell this is not going to be a serious interview).
Gian: “You know what was the best thing?  The only way, really, to be international singers abroad is to sing in Italian.  Because if we sing in English, there are so many original genres that. . .”
Jake:  Interrupts by starting a line from a smart-alecky pop song, which the guys immediately pick up on: “Il Dottore Dice Che Sono Malato” (The Doctor Says I’m Mentally Ill).  You’re supposed to sing this thing really fast and race to the end of the chorus.
Jake interrupts again: “OK, really loud, let’s go.”
All of them, Jake included, break into a chorus of “Grande Amore,” while Igna yells, “What are you looking at me for?”
After they finish, Jake: “Madonna!” (Holy mother!)   Then yells out the window to a passing lady with her shopping bags: “Ma’am, we have Il Volo here!”
They all yell “Ciao! Ciao grande!”  (A big hello).
Piero: “Hello, ma’am.”
Gian: Not “Ma’am”, Miss.” (meaning Piero should be polite, as if she were young).
Piero: “What do you mean, ‘Miss’?  She was at least 70 years old!  Miss?  Really?”
Jake makes a crack about women over 40.
Piero: “In America, A lady came up with her daughter to take a picture.  The daughter, who was very proud of her mom, told us, ‘My mother loves you; we have listened to you since you were kids.  Over her dresser, there is a picture of my father, who’s dead; there’s a picture of my brother, who’s dead; and your picture…’ I asked her, please take our picture off the dresser!”
Then they break into “Volare” while Igna and Gian play air drums.  Gian: “Let’s go samba!”  (As you know, Il Volo’s arrangement of this on stage, especially Gianluca’s baritone bridge vocal, is with a very catchy samba beat). Gian again: “This is where the Brazilians start dancing.”
(As you watch, you’ll notice that it isn’t only on stage that Igna closes his eyes and takes off; he even does it in the car.)  Then he snaps back and switches to air flute.
Also, check out Jake’s face when Piero launches into un coro forte (full volume chorus) right behind his head.
Jake:  Do you want to try your hand at “Mixed Up Names.”  Do you want to mix up some names?   Guys: “No.”  Jake: “We’ll have a little quiz.”
Gian: “No that depends on…wait…”  Igna, Piero: “We might make a bad impression.”
Jake: What were the names of the three pigs?
Gian: “Eolo, Mammolo, Struggiolo” (roughly: “Huff, Puff, and Knock it down”)
Piero:  “Uncle Ciccio, Uncle Carlo and Uncle . . .”
Igna: “No, they were called: (he makes three distinct pig grunts, one for each).”   High five from Jake.  Igna wins!
(I’m with Piero.  I actually had an Uncle Ciccio).
Jake: Exactly! The three magi?
Piero: “Gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”  Igna insists it’s “mirra” not “mirro,” for myrrh.  (These of course were their gifts to the newborn Messiah.  In Italian tradition their names are Melchior, Gasparo, e Baltazzaro.  Jake should have asked me).
Jake: The three sailings ships?  (There’s no need to clarify whose ships.  This is Italy after all!).
Everybody: “Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria.”
Jake: The three of Il Volo?
Each of the guys names themselves with their own name first.
The three thank you’s? (Which would be versions of “grazie”)
Gian: (making it all up): Grazie, Graziella (a girl’s name), and…” Piero kicks in “Gran’ Luigi!” (Big Louie)
Gian: “So who’s Big Louie?”
Now they break into “Ancora.”  Igna’s on air trumpet and high harmony.  He grimaces and holds his stomach for the high notes as he often does when they sing this spontaneously on TV.  Piero is now hanging out of the car door. (Yes, the car is stopped).  Igna is yelling to look back there at him.  They are now making puns on the title “Ancora” which mean “More, More” or “Again, Again.”
In order to stage the scene for more foolishness, Jake says he needs to stop for a moment to step outside of the car for a bathroom break.  Gian, straight-faced says, “Not right out here with all these people passing by.”
Jake tells them he has to leave them alone for a moment; they should behave themselves; and he’ll be right back.
Gian: “Of course we will.”
When he leaves, the madcap mayhem starts.  Igna blasts the radio for slam dancing in the seats while they dig some props out of the glove box, and Gian is calling the name of the American female pop singer whose song it is, while yelling “We’re waiting for you to come to Italy.”   The car isn’t big enough for Piero’s dance.  Have a look while the guys do the “circus clowns in the miniature car” routine, climbing over each other, changing seats, blowing penny whistles and clown horns, then rushing back to normal with straight faces, before La Furia gets back in.

Jake (climbing in):  Everything OK?
Gian: Everything’s fine.
Jake: Did you behave yourselves?
Gian: We were just talking about work.
(Watch Igna when he realizes what he still has in his hand when Jake is belting himself in.)
Jake then asks them each to sing a stadium chant for their favorite team, but he wants them to use music not from the stadium.  He asks Ignazio to show his favorite football team.  Ignazio takes out a team scarf of his favorite club, Juventus.
Jake:  Tell me the first song that comes to mind when you think of “Juve” (Juventus).  Igna breaks into a Juventus Ale, Ale chant which he sings to the martial piece from the opera “Aida”.
Gian sings about team Roma to the melody of “Libiamo Ne’ Lieti Calici” from “La Traviata”, while yanking out the Roma red scarf (I have the same one at home).  Then he cheers for the “Great Francesco” because he’s a fan of Francesco Totti (Numero 10).  Then it’s Piero’s turn and Gian rolls his eyes while Piero hold up a San Siro stadium (Milano) scarf and sings his soccer fight song, at full volume again, to the well-known martial air from Bizet’s “Carmen.”
When they all start repeating “è la Carmene” (that’s from Carmen), Igna teases Jake for his pronunciation “è la carne?” (it’s the meat?).
The Jake turns on background music and they break into “Libiamo Ne’ Lieti Calici”.
Jake:  So, guys, you have a great repertoire of [Italian] music of the 1960’s.  What is your relationship with this kind of music?
Piero: “That’s the history of ‘light’ Italian music . . .”  (Then Igna interrupts again)
Jake then teases: “I want you to hear what Piero does.  First, he raises a raise a real ruckus (“Casino della Madonna”), then when the actual interview starts . . .” (Jake swipes his hand over his face and mimics Piero switching immediately to straight faced and serious about the music).   Then Gian also mimics Piero’s serious voice and face: “This is the story of Italian music…” Then he tells Jake, “Go on, cut it out.”
Gian: “Anyway, Jake, the original project was of these three child prodigies with these unique voices who sang “O Sole Mio”, “Il Mondo”, and then we got somewhat trained in this style and that’s the way we came to be called “I Tre Tenorini” (the Three Little Tenors).  Then we grew up and matured, and we became . . .
Jake interrupts “I Tre Tenoroni” (The Three Big Tenors).
They all start singing “Il Mondo” while grabbing and tickling Jake from the back seat.
Igna: “They’re doing that because you’re so soft.”
They guys are now playing around with some of the Il Mondo lyrics.
Igna: “You know that this song had no harmonies in it.  When we sing it, we have our particular way with it.  Now we’ll let you hear a harmony a capella.”
Even Jake is impressed at the spontaneous a capella 3-part arrangement and rephrasing.
Jake: “So there’s this issue that people call you the ‘young old people’, ‘young people who make music for old people,’ and they have beaten on you for that.” (Actually, he said an Italian invective, but I won’t translate it).  “This is what I think.  I want you do something that makes you seem very, very young.”
Note how the guys suddenly all switch to ghetto style rapper clothes, dark glasses, ball caps on backwards, bling hanging from their necks.  They break into an Italian punk rock hit, complete with head-shaking slam dance, while Piero is complaining: “This is making my head spin.”
Igna starts ad-libbing rap with “elegant” lyrics of the caliber of: “My name is Boschetto, I eat rubber (gometto), I still wet my bed (letto).”  (It all rhymes in Italian rap rhythm, and it goes on and gets worse).

Jake: “So, you’re back from your American tour.  What happened?”
Piero: “We carried Italian culture there.”
Jake: “And tell me about the next dates.”
Gian (checking his cell phone calendar): “Three concerts in the Teatro Antico of Taormina, Naples, Palmanova, Piazzola sul Brenta, and Pula.”
Piero: And in Sicily we are doing our fourth date at the Teatro Antica di Siracusa. This will be our first time there.  (An amazing place like the one in Taormina.  400 BC and still great for concerts.  They really knew how to build them back then.)
Gian described these theaters as “these most beautiful structures, that we only have in our country.”
Jake checks with Igna on this.
Igna: “Yes, I confirm all of it.”
Next, they all sing “Mamma.”
Jake:  “Guys, being with you has been a real bomb.” (Same as American slang) But I have to get to work.
Igna:  “We brought you something.”  (Gives him a copy of the Notte Magica CD).
Jake: “Thank you.”
Igna: “So, are you going to sell it on ebay or keep it?”
Jake: “No, I’m going to keep it myself.”
Gian: “Now, let’s go settle up.”
Jake: “Good luck on your tours.”
Here they make their goodbyes.
And of course, there’s the inevitable “selfie”, with Jake.  Il Volo are the undisputed masters of the art of “Selfie-ing.”  After all, they even did one this year with Il Papa Francesco.    Clearly, even he was having fun with them.

Credit to owners of all photos and video.

Il Volo, Our Stories

MOMENTS TO REMEMBER by SUSAN

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Over the last seven months I’ve been writing about the lives of Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca from the day they were born to the present day.  As I wrote each story, there were certain highlights in some stories that I thought should be put aside and revisited in another article. These were, what I consider, Moments to Remember.

If I asked you “What would you consider to be a memorable moment in the career of Il Volo?” I’m sure you could come up with at least 10 if not 50 moments. So, I needed to take these moments and decide what I thought were the most memorable and I actually got it down to 13 memorable events.

So where do we begin? Well you might say the night the three won first, second and third place (Gianluca, Ignazio, Piero) of Ti Lascio Una Canzone. Yes, that certainly was a memorable moment but, I think there was a moment before then that was more memorable. Gianluca points to that moment, “I thought there were three hundred thousand boys singing like me, and instead that night I discovered that there are only two: Ignazio and Piero.” Of course, Gianluca was referring to the night they sang together for the first time on Ti Lascio Una Canzone.  So, let’s begin there!

Ti Lascio Una Canzone, Night 4 and Michele Torpedine – I have to put these two together because one wouldn’t happen without the other!

It is the fourth episode of Ti Lascio Una Canzone and the boys are given the music for “O Sole Mio.” They walked out on the stage, sang “O Sole Mio” and walked off stars!  

Alone in his apartment, Michele Torpedine was sitting on his sofa with the volume off on his TV. The show he was watching was Ti Lascio Una Canzone. He keeps looking at the screen and he suddenly thinks, Ignazio reminds him of Luciano Pavaroti, Gianluca seemed similar to Jose Carreras and Piero is similar to Placido Domingo. He still had not heard them sing. Out of curiosity, he raised the volume and Michele says, “Here I am aware of another element, that is even more important than the first. The three casually put together to sing a song of the program possess an incredible vocality for their age.”

At this point Michele’s head is spinning. He’s thinking these guys are good and again repeats it to himself, they’re good! He thinks, “What if I try to put them together seriously? A trio, he tells himself.”

The rest is history!

“We Are The World for Haiti”  – In 2010 shortly after arriving in America, the guys were invited by Quincy Jones to join “We Are The World for Haiti,” together with 80 international artists such as Celine Dion, Bono, Lady Gaga, Carlos Santana, Barbra Streisand, Enrique Iglesias, Usher, Natalie Cole. Il Volo were the only Italian artists to be invited. The three voices from the background caused such a sensation. “Who was that?” Everyone present couldn’t believe what they were hearing but, “Who were they?” Soon they would find out!

Barbara Streisand’s Back to Brooklyn Tour – In 2012 Barbra Streisand invited the guys to be an integral part of her “Back to Brooklyn” tour. They performed with her in America and Canada. They were not an opening act, no, they shared the stage with Barbara. To the guys this was a dream come true!

2014 Latin Billboard Music Awards – In 2013, “Más Que Amor” was certified “Gold” in Mexico and Argentina. And this catapulted the guys into the Latin market. From that day on they took the Latin market by storm.  In February 2014, they receive two nominations at the 2014 Latin Billboard Music Awards, as “Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group” and “Latin Pop Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group.” At the awards show they were awarded as “Best Group of the Year in the Latin Pop Album” category and they also won the “El Pulso Social Award,” as the artist who dominated interactions on social networking sites during the Billboard Awards. This is unheard of! Three Italian kids taking over the Latin market! What a win!

The Christmas Concert at the Italian Senate,  December 21, 2014.  Ignazio wrote in their book: “We want to talk about the thrill of singing in front of the highest offices of state! What twenty-year-old boy has something like that happen? It happened to us, and it seems to me a beautiful result, an honor. You cannot imagine the emotional feeling to be called “guests of honor” inside the Senate. We were accompanied by the, fantastic, Filarmonia Orchestra Veneta conducted by Diego Basso. Half the beauty of the song is in the orchestra.

The most exciting moments? Everyone! But the hymn of Mameli was the heart-pounding one, the first song, singing in that place, with everyone singing along with us, including Giorgio Napolitano, (President) and Pietro Grasso (President of the Senate). It is one thing that I cannot explain.

And then, of course, the pleasure of shaking hands with the President of the Republic and of feeling that he knows Marsala, he has been there.

Sanremo Music Festival 2015 – On February 14, 2015, the guys participated in and won the Sanremo Music Festival with “Grande Amore.” This is the top award in the Music Industry in Italy. With this win the guys really came home. They were finally recognized by the Italian people. This win also gave them the opportunity to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest 2015. 

Eurovision 2015 – As Italy is a member of the Big Five, Il Volo went straight into the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest, which was held in Vienna on May 23, 2015. Grande Amore came in 3rd with 292 points but, they won the televote with 366 points and won the Marcel Bezencon Press Award, as best song according to the collective voting of the accredited press. The extended play Sanremo Grande Amore was released in Italy on February 20, 2015 and it was certified triple platinum by FIMI. At the Latin Billboard Awards, they dominated the social networking sites and now, they win the televote and the best song according to collective voting by the accredited press. The people speak!

Ignazio’s Accident in Tampa March 7, 2016 – While they were singing in concert in Tampa, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca brought 3 children on to the stage. The stage was narrow and, Ignazio picked up a child and carried him in his arms to take him to the center of the stage. There were electric cables on the ground and Ignazio tried to avoid them, but he tripped, and fell on the stage with the baby in his arms. To defend the child, who in addition to the fall would also have Ignazio on top of him, Ignazio twisted his body, so that his shoulder hit the ground and the child was protected. The two of them immediately got up and Ignazio finished the song.

When Ignazio began the next song, it was clear he had a problem with his arm but, he managed to finish the concert. He did not stay for the final greetings instead Barbara immediately took him to the hospital. At the next concert he had a splint on his arm and for the next two concert his arm remained in the splint. It was also recommended that he rest. Fabio Ingrassia, Ignazio’s dear friend, was in Miami, and he immediately came to help Ignazio. Ignazio was disheartened by the experience and Fabio remained with him to help him through it. Fabio made a nice drawing to dedicate to the fans with two hands that clasped. What a Friend!!!

Piazza Santa Croce in Florence, July 1, 2016 “Notte Magica” – 2016-2017 were the years dedicated to the “Notte Magica” project, the tribute to the 1990 event where the Three Tenors, Josè Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti, enchanted the whole world from the stage of the Baths of Caracalla. On July 1st in Piazza Santa Croce in Florence Il Volo presented on stage “Notte Magica – A Tribute to the Three Tenors,” which was broadcast in prime time on Canale 5.  The guys were joined by Placido Domingo who conducted the orchestra. This marks the beginning of the world tour of “Notte Magica – A Tribute to The Three Tenors” which debuted on March 4, 2017 at the Radio City Music Hall in New York. The show was sold out. After 15 stops in the United States, all sold out, the tour is extended to Europe from May 5, 2017 for 29 performances and from September it extended to Latin America. The concert “Notte Magica – Tribute to the Three Tenors” was filmed and broadcast in the United States by the national television network PBS, and in Italy by Canale 5 and, starting in June, it was broadcast in over 500 cinemas in Italy and around the world.

Ignazio Conducts the Asti Symphony Orchestra while the guys sing with Marcello Rota Jul 5, 2017 – During the rehearsals of the last date of the Notte Magica Tour in Naples, Ignazio steps in as conductor of the Symphonic Orchestra of Asti while Maestro Marcello Rota sings Ignazio’s tenor part! They sang “Libiam ne lieti calici.” Ignazio had everyone in awe of his performance as a conductor. The guys enjoyed singing with Marcello who usually conducts for their Concerts. Gianluca enjoyed it so much that he hugged Marcella in the middle of the song! All good sports! They all had lots of fun! A unique performance!

Mexico Earthquake September 8, 2017 – On Thursday evening September 8th, at 11:49 PM Mexico City time, (in Italy it was 6.49 on Friday) an earthquake of 8.2 on the Richter scale sowed panic in the country. The earthquake, defined by Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto as “the strongest since 1932”, had its epicenter off the south west coast of Mexico, but its strength reached the capital where the guys had just finished their concert at the Theater Metropolitan. Gianluca gave Facebook a short message shortly after the earthquake: “Thank you all for the messages, we are fine despite the strong shock that hit Mexico a little while ago.” Read the full story here!

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World Youth Day Jan 27, 2019 – If you ask the guys after winning Sanremo, which truly brought them home, “What was your greatest performance,” they would probably answer, there were two. Singing for the Holy Father at World Youth Day was one of the most amazing events in their life!

Por Una Cabeza, Il Volo at Luna Park Buenos Aires October 30, 2019 – So I will end by going back to the beginning. This last moment tells me how far the guys have come and how the strangers became brothers.

When these three young men started out, they were 15 and 16 years old. Think of being 15 or 16 years old and you have a dream, and someone tells you that that dream, needs to be shared. To fulfill that dream you have to leave your family, your friends, your home, you have to go to another country and you have to share this journey with two people who you really know nothing about except that they had the same dream you did. You have to trust that the decision that was made by you and your family, was the right decision. If not, it’s back to square one! You’re going to be lonely and you have to learn to survive without the people you love. So, you learn to lean on one another. That dependence turns into a friendship and that friendship into a brotherhood. It enabled them to trust enough to collaborate and perfect something truly amazing. Something that revolutionized the music industry. Let me go further by showing you a collaboration by these three amazing, very, very talented, young men that is so unreal that it boggles your mind. This is a collaboration of love. You will notice that the whole Orchestra is in awe and Giampiero Grani can’t stop smiling. Stop and listen to this performance of “Por Una Cabeza”.

Look at how they smile at one another during the performance. A smile that says yes that’s it! Their faces are ablaze! Their expressions let one another know that it works. And, finally, when it’s over, they are so excited they can hardly contain themselves. Look at their smiles, their faces are lit up in joy and their embrace says it all! They are brothers who love one another! This is truly a Moment to Remember!

Credit to owners of photo and videos.

Concert Photos/Reviews, Flashback, Holiday, Il Volo, Our Stories

Jana & Lorna’s Italian Adventure – July 4, 2016 – Verona! (Reprise…)

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Hello folks!  I hope everyone is having a great 4th of July in the USA!  We are having quite the hot summer here in Michigan, with these past few weeks in the low 90s and this week, all 90s!  Thought I would repost our little adventure from July 4, 2016, for all to enjoy again!  🙂  It was certainly the best 4th of July I will ever remember!!  🙂

Everyone please stay safe and wear a mask, the virus seems to be coming back with a vengeance again in the US! 🙁

Ciao!  Yes, it’s been a little while since my last story of adventure…but I continue!

Ah, Venice Mestre train station. This was our shortest train ride, only about an hour or so to Verona from Venice. We got to the train station very early, since we were only about 10 minutes away. We got there in plenty of time before our departure of 8:32am. We were able 20160704_073915to have a leisurely breakfast and scout out our train track. The Venice train station was not quite as sophisticated as Florence, so we knew we had to go down and up again to find our train. We looked on the schedule, but could not see our train. There were three trains to Verona, but none that left at our exact time. That seemed strange. So, we made our best guestimate and chose the one track. I was still a bit skeptical, but the time was the closest. I was able to ask a lady, in Italian, and she seemed to think we were on the wrong one, we needed to be a few tracks over and the schedule was on the posted sign. I think it was like a regular commuter train, so it didn’t have a special departure scheduled, which is why it wasn’t posted. I went back to Lorna and we discussed it. It kind of made sense, but we stayed where we were anyway. Ok, here comes our train. We get on where we think our car is, but when we boarded, there were no seat numbers on the seats. We had first class tickets with assigned seating! I said aloud, in English, “But there are no numbers on the seats?” A nice, young lady heard me speaking in English and said, “You are on the wrong train!” “What? Dove?,” I said, and showed her our tickets. She pointed to the other track, same track the other lady told us. I looked at my phone – it was 8:27a! We literally had 5 minutes to get down and back up again, and make it to the other train. We literally FLEW off that train and a nice Italian gentleman hefted our suitcases up the long flight of stairs to the other side. We were literally walking/running as fast as we could toward our train. The conductor saw us and asked if we were on this train, we said yes. We started to get on and he said, no, other car. Then he changed his mind and said to go ahead, and we could walk from there. We literally no sooner got on the train and it took off! It was the last train to Verona for that day! Yes, we almost missed the Verona concert! Ok, “dove” the prosecco that morning!

 

We made it to the Verona train station – again, similar to Venice, we had to once again go down the closet-sized elevator and up the other side. Another long wait for the taxi, but we made it. When we got there, it was still quite early and check-in wasn’t until much later in the afternoon. So, we were able to stow our bags in the reception area. The concierge gave 1-veorna-fus a map of the city and we took off, map and Google Maps in hand on our way to find out where the Arena di Verona was. Looked like it was in walking distance from the hotel, so we set off. It reminded me of “following the yellow brick road” except it was a wide 1-verona-gasphalt running/walking path to the main part of the city. We quickly got off the map we were sort of following and I gave up and got out Google again. We got turned around a few times, but I figured it out. On the way to the Arena, Lorna stopped in a shoe shop and bought these really cool flowered tennis shoes. The sun was playing peek-a-boo with the clouds and it looked like it might rain. When we neared the Arena, the sun finally decided it was going to stick around.20160704_115104 I took a few pictures as we were in the surroundings of the arena with a plethora of outdoor restaurants/cafes to choose from for lunch. We had worked up quite the appetite by then.

 

We walked to the arena to see exactly where it was and where the entrances were. After that, we perused the various restaurants and picked out a table. It ended up being a 20160704_121205beautiful afternoon and we splurged on our lunch that day. Lorna had some kind of pasta with seafood. I had a Caprese salad and a pizza and we even had a bottle of Moscato.1-verona-a It was a very leisurely lunch and we just chatted and relaxed and wondered where the guys might be? We finally decided it was time to go. On our way, we passed by this one hotel and there were a herd of girls standing outside. Ok, this must be the place! Lol! Yes, apparently the guys were staying at the hotel aptly called “The Gentleman of Verona.” No, we never saw them, although we strolled by and asked the girls if this was where Il Volo was. Of course they said yes. We kept walking and continued our tour of the city, with the sun playing more peek-a-boo with the clouds. With my faithful companion of Google Maps, we took the long way around, but thankfully made it back to the hotel. It was 1-verona-elate enough by then, so we could check in. Another small elevator, but at least we both fit. We got to our room and it was very nice. The sun decided it was going to stay out at last. We had a tiny, enclosed, little balcony with a window you could open. The view from our room was gorgeous and amazing. You could see over the entire city. Took some more pictures and then we decided to relax a little. We took a nap and decided we’d get ready and take a cab to the Arena. I was still trying to hook up with Betty, but we kept missing each other! When we got downstairs we asked the concierge to call us a cab again, to the Arena. She said had just called one for 2 other ladies and maybe we could 1-verona-bshare it? We thought that would be nice, so we went outside and communicated roughly in Italian, and asked if they were going to Il Volo also and could we share the cab. They said yes. We got in and was happily expecting to share the cab fare and they paid the whole thing! Such nice Italian hospitality! We were still a bit full from lunch, but decided we should eat something. So, we went back to the same restaurant where we had lunch. However, we just ordered dessert. Lorna had Tiramisu and espresso, and I had chocolate torte cake. We also ordered another bottle of Moscato. The cake was good, although a bit on the dry side. As previously mentioned, Lorna graciously let me have the 2nd row seat…but as we were sitting at our table, we were watching the crowd get in line – it was over an hour before the concert started.1-verona-c People were everywhere! It was kind of crazy. We knew we had assigned seats, so we thought we’d just sit and watch everyone instead. We finally gave up and decided to fight our way through the crowds. Lorna went first, as she went through a different entrance. I paid the bill and ventured on to the other side of the Arena. I showed my ticket and they let me in. I bought a few souvenir t-shirts and scarves and found my way to the 2nd row seat. My new friends Veronica, Laura, and Daniela, arrived about 15 minutes later. This was exciting. Before the concert began, we heard the orchestra warming up “Per Te Ci Saro” was playing! Oh, yes, I was finally going to hear them sing it live! Since I reviewed the concert already, a few days after it happened, I won’t go into detail again. Yes, you are welcome. Lol! But a quick recap of starting with “Per Te Ci 20160704_213618-1Saro” and ending with their usual 2 of “Surrender” and “Grande Amore” it was pretty awesome. And I swear it happened just that quickly. Again, I was quite surprised they did the Godfather routine…

Insert actual concert review….

For me, this was the most magical and perfect concert ever.  Not only was it a perfectly beautiful evening weather-wise, I FINALLY got to hear all my favorite songs.  They really picked the best of the best for this finale concert.  The stage and the lighting were magnificent.  They had the monitors and also the videos going for many of the songs.  I thought for sure we were going to be blinded by the lights again, but it was only once or twice.

I finally got my dream come true and into my Il Volo trance I went.  They started with Per te ci saro!!  OMG, I sang the whole thing!  I wanted to stand after every song, but the Italians don’t do that.  They did stand after the solos and duets.  There were few empty seats…Lorna was so awesome, she let me have the 2nd row seat for the entire concert.  I will remember it forever.

Even thought it was second row, we were still quite far from the stage.  Like the orchestra pit area was empty of chairs and unlike the first Verona concert in September last year, the stage did not come out in the middle.

Their voices were of course perfection and Igna added his own to the end of My Piove – a little jazzier riffs and Gian joined him for a few…

Yes, they sang my favorites – Per te, l’more si muove, torne l’amore, canzone per te.  They even did a slight sketch of the Godfather routine.  Igna even sang Allegria and didn’t cry.  No Ancora though….

Gian sang Bridge…and it was incredible.  I remember telling Donna it would get better after we heard it in LA and she said “how could it get better?”  It did!!

I think someone mentioned that they were filming part of that movie where the guys are going to be part of it about opera.  Apparently, the guy who is the star actor was in the front row a few seats down from us. And?!  The guys were cuter!!  Lol!  They did this filming during the concert, but it was no big deal.

The one big shocker was that they did not sing O Sole Mio!  Not disappointed as they left in Surrender!!  Igna and Piero did their thing.

Since I was in the 2nd row, I imagine I’ll be somewhere in the DVD and group shot in the end.  My split second of fame. Lol!  I was in a pink dress to the right of the stage.

I did not see any of the immediate family except for Mary Grace, Piero’s sister and I think Alessio?  Gianluca’s friend.  At the end, Igna went over and gave this older guy a bear hug and picked him up, but no clue who he was.  He looked a little like one of his uncles.

If people want to know what to give Igna at the next m/g I would suggest a belt.  He was pulling up his pants the entire night!

I took some pictures and taped a few songs, but my phone camera and the lights were not friends.

By the time you read this, pictures will be all over everywhere, as well as videos.

Did I say how incredibly awesome it was????  Igna was also playing the piano and a few other instruments.  Gian was wearing tennis shoes and racing across the stage every so often.

Don’t get me wrong, the tenor concert was awesome also, but this was more special and magical for me, as I have been waiting to hear these songs live for as long as most of you!

It was all in Italian except Igna said Thank You.  I did not quite catch what was going on, but something about studying their speech for the next song, etc.  I also had my friend Veronica to translate a few things for me!

I’m still trying to realize I’m in Italy!  I’ve seen the guys 5 times now this year.  You just keep thinking when is the next time?  They are planning another tenor tribute concert in the arena next May 17, but you know, nothing is ever as special as the first time!  My guess is that they might incorporate a few of those songs into their regular concerts next tour.

Ok, it is now a little after 2am!  I really need some sleep if I can, that is.

They really outdid themselves with this one!!

Part of my mission to the Verona concert was to take a few little presents to 2 friends of Sharon’s. They were sitting in the front row, but on the other side. Unfortunately, security would not let me leave my seat, even though it was just a row up. Fortunately, I was able to text her and Veronica communicated in Italian 1-verona-3of my plight. Luckily, we were able to connect after the concert. Lorna and I also quickly met up afterward and Veronica took our pictures. We then made our way to the taxi line and got back to our hotel. I was determined I did not want to forget a thing, so I stayed up til about 2am finishing my post! Was the shortest night on1-verona-d record.   We had to be at the train station very early, as we had a 7a train to Rome and it was a 3-hour trip. After what I believe was about a 3-4 hour “nap” I dragged myself out of bed about 5:30a to take a shower and we were out of there. Again, missing breakfast at the hotel!  Next stop – Roma and the Adriatic Sea!

General news, Il Volo

IL VOLO in Black and White by Daniela

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A few days ago, IL VOLO attended the CALL TO UNITE event.

In connection from their homes Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, have chosen the beautiful AVE MARIA MATER MISERICORDIAÈ, here is the video, for those who have not yet been able to see it or for those who do not have Facebook.

Guys, what a shiver, this song is magnificent and hearing it in these moments, where we are all distant, moves us so much.

Their voices go straight to our hearts. What other message could be more effective to send to the world, at this moment, than this beautiful prayer!

In addition to the beautiful song, we appreciate the simple and effective video shot in black and white, the mix of which I believe was made by Ignazio.

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Sometimes black and white gives us infinite shades of spectacular gray, which seems to give even more effect at the moment, which is thus immortalized.

So let’s enjoy this beautiful roundup of black and white photos!

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And after so many beautiful black and white images, we end up with a touch of color.

On the beautiful song GRANDE AMORE for the umpteenth time, a cover was made, this time by the country of Ukraine. For some reason, Piero and Gianluca came to know about this version and personally congratulated those who performed their song.

The compliments of Piero.

Gianluca’s compliments.

What can I say guys, the Ave Maria Misericordiaè was really a beautiful surprise, which makes us even more proud of you.

And what can we add to your umpteenth demonstration of altruism, complimenting the Ukrainian version of Grande Amore?

We love you! ❤️❤️❤️

Daniela

 

Credit to owners of all photos.