Does anyone else wish they were on that bus? Just me?
Gym time in New Orleans.
Welcome to Texas!!
HOWDY!!
On to Denver
Hanging out on the bus sporting their new Il Volo Logo T-Shirts (and never without their cellphones). Again, I ask, anyone want to be on that bus. It’s ok – shout it out!!
LAS VEGAS!!!!
They attended an event here. Anyone know what it was? Um – Oh yeah – FAN FAIRE!!!
Piero says Hollywood is always a great place to perform. I absolutely agree. Must have seen Soonie while they were there. Notice Piero’s buzz cut on the sides?
Getting in some exercise in Santa Monica. Love this!
Gianluca loves California. It truly is a beautiful state and it certainly agrees with them.
Alas, the North American tour comes to an end. Until we meet again!
The boys of Il Volo grew up in a culture that takes singing seriously. That can also be said of their families. Thus, each of them started learning the technique of singing – vowel shaping, breath support, projection, phrasing, etc. – from classically trained people either a grandfather with the same background and/or professional voice teacher. When you learn the art of singing you need something to put that craft and art to work– something to sing and if you are going to do the work right you want the best. That comes in the form of art songs and arias from opera or operetta. This is true here in the USA as well as Italy and all over Europe. In fact, this “Bel Canto” concept is taught all over the world. It is the standard of quality singing.
Here is a very rough idea of these types of music:
Art songis a single song (3 to 7 min, maybe) that conveys the story or feeling of the composer. It stands on its own. “Caruso” is such an art song.
Also and even more so, “En Aranjuez con tu amor” is a very dramatic art song that Gianluca sings with a solo violin as the taunt. This was written by Joaquin Rodrigo back in the 1930’s
Opera is taking a full-length story and acting it completely through music where the actors sing everything. When they are describing action it sometimes the music is called a recitative(reciting the story) but then when they want to share feeling especially love the music gets to be a very beautiful melody and great harmonies and it is called an aria. Even Broadway musicals use that form. The boys have sung“Tonight”and “Maria”from West Side Story. They have sung “Night and Day”, “Memories” and others that come from a musical – each of them can be called an “aria”
Piero took the brave step (and he was a triumph) by doing “ E Lucevan le Stelle” from Toscaof Puccini. Bravo.
The opera world attracts the greatest composers:
Giuseppe Verdi: La Traviata; Aida; Rigoletto and many others
Giacomo Puccini: Madame Butterfly; La Boheme; Turandot; Tosca
Gaetano Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor; L’elisir d’ amore
A few that are not on the list for the boys so far:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Marriage of Figaro; Magic Flute; Don Giovani
Richard Wagner:The flying Dutchman; The Meistersinger
Operetta(very loose definition) is a story being staged where the action parts are actually spoken (thus recitative) but the arias are fully sung as in opera.
We all know the story of how each of our guys progressed on his own, entered into a voice competition and became the first, second and third place winners. They each had experience from youth learning these kinds of music. Even from the first USA concerts they were singing arias such as “No Puede Ser” .
In the Spanish culture there is a type of work called a “Zarzuela” sort of an operetta.
It uses dramatic dance, some spoken parts and arias that are very dramatic. Let’s face it our modern soap operas pale in comparison. Love and sex and death and vendettas all over the place. Everyone has a lot of fun. Extreme drama on steroids. “Ne Puede Ser” is an aria from a zarzuella called : “La Tabernera del Puerto” written by Pablo Sorozabal. Piero loves this song and he comes out on the stage and dies each night for us. Hard work . But he does it so well. He also sings so well. ( I know, bad joke).
2016 and Il Volo in June – my thoughts.
The guys have just finished a concert tour that was very long with almost 100 concerts all over most of the world. They have given wonderful concerts 98% of the time. However, there have been a couple of times when the concerts were too close together and the boys did not get the kind of rest they needed. That usually ends up with a concert that is “good” but not great. I doubt the guys would ever give a bad concert. They are just that good and they will not allow it. But when they are tired and a little out of voice from the heavy schedule like they were in Russia this year then it shows a bit. Those of you who have read my stuff going back 4 years know it is one of my pet peeves when the producers push the guys to do a lot of concerts in short order. When they came to Vegas this year they had traveled by bus from Phoenix through the night and did not have much sleep. It was amazing to me that they still gave one of the best concerts I have ever heard them give. Still I wish the producers would pace it better.
Now they have had a rest and they are preparing to do this THREE TENORSCONCERT. I could not be happier. They are back to basics – working with their voice teachers and voice coach. They are taking on some of the masterpieces of opera repertoire by the greatest composers. Information I have heard says they are singing:
“Nessun Dorma” an aria from “Turandot” by Pucini – one of the most famous songs of any sort in the world. You may not know the title but you will know the melody. Pavarotti and Domingo are famous for this song. They are also doing an aria that is sometimes called “Brindisi” but better known as “ Libiamo” or also known as “ the drinking song “ (hey, it’s a party) from La Traviata by the great Verdi. Through all of this they get to work with Placido Domingo, a mentor of theirs, again. Again, Bravo !
From my standpoint, thinking of the care and nurture of the guys voices which are so precious to all of us, this is the kind of work they should do at least once a year. “Back to basics” I am excited about this program and will buy the cd’s and DVD’s and whatever they come up with.Frankly, I wish they would take this on the road to the USA.
MAY THE KINDNESS YOU ALWAYS GIVE COME BACK TO YOU DOUBLED. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PIERO. From Ineke in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Piero – With all the happy wishes this world of fans is giving you for your birthday – it still could not be enough to equal the happiness you bring the world every day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul for sharing yourself so fully. God bless you now and forever.
Sharon (from Detroit)
Caro Piero,
La tua voce accarezza la mia anima. When I met you in New Orleans, I wanted to tell you this in Italian. But I was too overwhelmed by your presence, so all I could manage to do was say it in English. I send you my sincere wishes for a blessed and wonderful 23rd birthday. I hope you will be surrounded by your family & true friends to help you celebrate. I have enjoyed watching & listening to you grow that beautiful instrument of your voice. You have certainly cared well for the gift that God has given you. I look forward to what you will be able to do with that gift in the future. I know you will be amazing, because you already are! I wish you love and blessings for your future with IL VOLO. Lynn Gonzales-Balfour (lynngbal4 with Flight Crew)
Dear Piero, Best wishes for a wonderful birthday and I hope you can celebrate it with your family and friends. Thank you for all the great concerts and sharing your “Grande Amore”, especially here in the US. You performed at many of the most beautiful and historic theaters and I am grateful I saw you at the lovely State Theater in Easton, Pennsylvania. Love all the new music as well as all the solos and duets! Thank you for all the beautiful music and joy you give. May God continue to bless you and all your loved ones. Hugs to all, Margaret Ladolcetta
Anne Quinto3 Happy Birthday Piero 2016
Anne Quinto Happy Birthday Piero 2016
Anne Quinto2 Happy Birthday Piero 2106
Caro Piero,
Tanti Auguri! Buon Compleanno! Have a wonderful day with your family & friends! So glad you are home this year to celebrate your twenty third birthday! Your voice is magnificent, Piero! The 2016 Concerts were fantastic! Your duets & solos, beautiful beyond words!! I, with my family & friends at Las Vegas, the Dolby in LA, & San Jose, were enchanted with each performance!! Thank you so much for the joy & happiness your music has brought into my life!! Happy Birthday! Anne Quinto
Happy Birthday Dearest Piero:
Sending hugs, kisses and happiness wishes Hope your special day is filled with love Enjoy! Luv Ya! Julie Bernache
Hi Piero, just want to say how much I enjoyed seeing you again earlier this year in Canada, always love meeting you and great to meet your Dad. I hope you have a wonderful day on your Birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 😀 Annie Hatfield From Toronto
Happy Birthday to the man who has the most beautiful voice in the world, and may this be the year you find your Grande Amore. Your friend Jill💕
Jill Manning Happy Birthday Piero 2016
Jill Manning2 Happy Birthday Piero 2016
From my heart to your heart I wish you a most wonderful Natal Day. Thank you for using your God given voice to enrich my world. Joanie Guyon .This photo is us at the fan faire in Las Vegas.
Dearest Piero, Thinking of you, and wishing you a day full of blessings! Happy Birthday… Barbara in AZ. ❤️🎈❤️🎈❤️
Happy Birthday dear, Piero. May this occasion of your 23rd birthday be one of abounding happiness for you. Your beautiful voice and kind spirit have stirred my ‘senior’ heart from the very first time I saw and heard you perform on PBS television. I have had the privilege of attending three IL Volo concerts in the U.S, including the Fan Faire Convention and concert. Meeting you and your ‘brothers’ has been a highlight in my life and brought me together on Face Book with many other people who love you. Celebrate your birthday and go forward to fill the world, and many more hearts, with joy. God’s blessings go with you always, Piero.
Te amo, Nonna Harriett Eckberg ♥ U.S.A.
Happy 23rd birthday, Piero!! I wish you love, happiness and success today, tomorrow and every day of your life. Listening to you sing makes my day happier. Love and Best Wishes Janet, from California
Dear Piero, may music always brings joy to your heart, because it’s one of the emotional arts. May sounds of melodies, that you truly adore, brings you pure pleasure and always lifts up your spirits. May music that touches you, always brings you smile. May music clearly enlightens your days, makes you happy in so many ways. My birthday wish for you is that you continue to love life and never stop dreaming. May beauty and happiness surround you, not only on your special day, but always. Birthdays mean a fresh start; a time for looking back with gratitude at the blessings of another year. It is also a time to look forward with renewed hope for bigger blessings. May you find true bliss as you face your next milestones. I wish you ocean of health,sea of love, river of happiness, fountain of everyday joys. Buon Compleanno, ti auguro di realizzare ogni tuo sogno e di trovare tutto quello che cerchi, sii felice, il sole splende alto su di te. Tanti auguri! Lydka, Slovakia
Piero, I have wished you happy birthday quite a few times now. Each time I have told you how special you are. This time too…Happy Birthday, you are so special!
Thank you for all the wonderful moments I have spent listening to your music.
With Grand Amore, Marie Crider
Wishing you an utterly fantastic and Happy Birthday! Piero, I have been a big fan of yours since 2010, and have enjoyed watching you grow into a fine young man with a voice that makes my heart sing. Love from Minnesota, Allene Shipman
Happy Birthday Piero!
I hope your day is filled with joy and happiness.
The kind you give to others just by being you!
Jane Ceminsky
From Il Volo Guatemala
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Happy Birthday Piero 2016
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Happy Birthday Piero 2016
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Happy Birthday Piero 2016
My Dearest Piero, You were only 15 when I first heard your powerful voice and now you are 23,all grown up,with an even more powerful and magnificent voice which fills my life and heart with Grande Amore everyday !!! You have matured into a very handsome man with a big heart,beautiful smile and hearty,infectious laugh !! Never change !! Always stay true to yourself and as sweet, kind and humble and loving as you are today. I was very fortunate to be able to experience your magnificent voice at five concerts this year and you took my breath away each and every time !! So now that you have completed your amazingly successful World Tour you can relax for a little while with your beautiful family and friends and enjoy a big birthday celebration !!! Happy “23rd” Birthday Piero !! Have FUN !!!!! Lots of Love, Joan Brenin
Piero,
Wishing you the best of everything and that every wish you have for the day comes true! Tanti Auguri!
There are lots of things about Il Volo that we love and admire: their talent,their character, their good looks, and so on. But there is much more to these guys. Their comments show that they are intelligent, serious,compassionateyoung men.
IN THEIR WORDS: HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THEIR FANS
Piero: The most important thing to us…we just care about the audience. It’s them who make us succeed. If we travel the world as Il Volo, it’s truly thanks to them.
Ignazio: You, the Ilvolovers, say always that we change your world…the truth is that you changed ours.
Gianluca: Ican’t wait to sing on many new stages, meet who follows us over seas and in Europe, and live in that atmosphere, intense and funny that is only on tour.
HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THEMSELVES
Piero: It seems like just yesterday when we were three children, maybe a little overwhelmed, that slowly began to get used to the stage, to the public in front, to the flash of photographers, moving away from home and the full days of commitments…but time passes.And even though the years have passed and our appearance is no longer that of children, in my eyes, there is always the same emotion.
Gianluca: Sometimes I can’t even acknowledge that I’ve become a world-famous singer. Sometimes it doesn’t seem real to me, because I still keep inside…we keep…that naivety, that innocence and simplicity of children.
HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT THEIR HOMELAND
Piero: Only music can express the joy of coming home,singing in my land andpaytribute to this beautiful island. The eyes that I recognize are those of the people with whom I grew up. There are thank yous that are direct from the heart and even more, because nothing makes me feel as special as to know that I am home.
Gianluca: We’re leaving for a trip that will take us away for many months. I already know that I am going to miss you, every one and every thing…my family, my home, my friends, and the love it makes me feel in this wonderful land that is Italy. I’ll bring you all with me in a specialplace inmy heart.
Piero: Every time a new stage, a new audience, and new emotions I cannot wait to find out. The secret? A smile, always, in my mind and heart…nothing more.
Gianluca: Music is my passion, and I would like to do this forever, for all my life. We have to work hard, but we are young. We have all the time intheworld to study and learn and do more. We’re so happy to do anything we have to. Traveling, dreaming, singing…three single words enclosing the sense of my life. Travel has changed me. I was no longer the same person after I saw the moon on the other side of the world.
Dreaming is creativity, imagination, and only those who won’t stop doing that can touch the sky.
Ignazio: Let your dreams be bigger than your fears and your actions be bigger and louder than your words. You never know what’s gonna happen inyour life, so just live it.
Sometimes love is more powerful than anything.
Is it any wonder that we love and admire them? And how much we wish that we could actually know them in person, as part of our lives, but as some wise one once said, “You just have to accept the fact that some people can only be in your heart and in your dreams and not in your life.” Yes, they are surely in our hearts, and maybe in your dreams??
Interviews, selfies, crowds, crowds and more crowds
People, complete strangers wanting to know you more
Get closer and feel connected to you
You would never guess in a million years that you live with this type of pressure day in and out…for you carry yourself with such grace, maturityandgenuine love for what you are doing.
But, this photo shows a pensive Piero. You deserve all the privacy you canget when it comes to your own personal thoughts, as you give the rest ofyourself so freely to others.
I wish youquiet moments filled with precious privacy and time to renew your inner being which you all three so deserve after touring the world sharing your Grande Amore!
~~Jane~~
Photo credit – All Things Il Volo
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
Hi Friends,
