As you are likely all aware, Il Volo’s world tour did not get off to a good start; the first date following their break—scheduled for July 1st in Marostica(in Veneto)—was cancelled. The concert could not go ahead due to circumstances beyond the group’s control—specifically, severe weather. Italy is currently experiencing a period of intense heat, leading to the formation of powerful storm cells that trigger weather alerts; this is exactly what happened in and around Marostica on July 1st, and consequently, due to *force majeure*, the concert was cancelled just a couple of hours before it was due to begin.
In the end, the weather in Marostica did not turn out to be terrible, but the regional authorities enforced strict regulations, and the concert did not take place.
And so, the second scheduled date arrived:
July 3rd, the concert took place in Tuscany (Central Italy) —specifically in Pistoia, in Piazza Duomo.
Fortunately, everything went very well, and Il Volo received a very warm welcome from the audience.
Here is a nice summary broadcast by TVL Pistoia. (turn on subtitles)
As you all well know, there was an earthquake in Venezuela, and Ignazio dedicated this moment specifically to the people who lived through that terrible experience.
IGNAZIO= A few days ago, I was actually in Caracas and experienced it firsthand—it was one of the worst things I have ever gone through—so I would like to dedicate this applause and my solidarity to all those who, sadly, did not make it. 😭🙏
Il Volo conquers Piazza del Duomo: the power of Italian *bel canto*. Three voices, one soul—this is operatic pop.
Gianluca Ginoble, Ignazio Boschetto, and Piero Barone performed great hits from the tradition, followed by their own original songs— “Capolavoro” and “Grande amore”—and a grand finale with “The Sound of Silence.”
The trio—comprising Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble—brought to the stage a performance that seamlessly blended elegance, vocal power, and a repertoire spanning both Italian and international traditions.
From the very first notes, the audience accompanied the performance of the three artists, who alternated signature songs from their careers with pieces from the great operatic repertoire and famous Italian classics.
It is a well-established formula, yet one that continues to captivate audiences of all ages, thanks to the trio’s ability to make the language of opera accessible.
The songs performed
The rapport among the three performers proved to be one of the show’s strengths: their distinct vocal personalities intertwined in precise harmonies, supported by a band capable of bringing out every nuance of the arrangements.
The evening opened with the *Carmen* prelude, followed by a string of hits ranging from “‘O sole mio” and “Granada” to “Mattinata” and “Torna a Surriento.” Next came a tribute to Frank Sinatra with “My Way,” followed by an exchange with the audience, after which the trio sang the famous “Unchained Melody” from the film *Ghost*.
Prolonged applause, then the grand finale
Among the evening’s most acclaimed moments were the performances of the major hits that made Il Volo famous worldwide—songs met with thunderous applause and an audience that frequently joined in the singing. The evocative atmosphere of Piazza del Duomo provided the perfect setting for a concert that combined spectacular flair with refinement. Then came the grand finale featuring “Capolavoro,” “The Sound of Silence,” and “Grande Amore.” Prolonged applause bid farewell to the trio, who reciprocated the audience’s affection.
Lia Baccelli, a young rock concert photographer, wrote these words and took these beautiful photos:
“I know—you really wouldn’t have expected this from me! 😂
Il Volo’s world tour has kicked off at Pistoia Blues. Following Friday night’s performance by Marco Masini, the Pistoia festival’s ‘Storytellers’ format brought the powerhouse trio to Piazza del Duomo for a concert in three acts.
What did I appreciate most? The fact that they brought artists like Tenco, Battisti, and Cohen—as well as Morricone and opera—to a square packed with people, including young fans.
Because music—all music—shares common roots, and to truly love it, you have to know it. All of it. Only then can you make a choice.”
July 4th, the concert took place place in Piedmont (northern Italy)—specifically in Asti, in Piazza Alfieri.
LA VOCE DI ASTIposts the start of the concert with these words:
“A packed square, enthusiasm, an orchestra, and great music!
Gianluca Ginoble, Piero Barone, and Ignazio Boschetto present songs from a vast repertoire that ranges from classical and international traditional tunes—arranged in a modern style—to pop tracks reimagined with a classical twist.”
“This next song is one of those—as I mentioned earlier—that is very close to my heart. I sang it a few years ago, and I always try to perform it whenever I can because it is one of those… let’s call them ‘poems’… that bring back emotions and moments shared with people who are no longer physically by my side— only physically, that is. It is truly one of those songs where, if you really immerse yourself in it, you can draw out so many emotions—from the most beautiful to the most painful. It is also a perfect song to dedicate to someone, and I hope that tonight, together with me and through this music, you too can bring back to mind—back into your memories—that person you can no longer have by your side.”
LA NUOVA PROVINCIA reports on Asti Musica as follows:
AstiMusica: Success for “Il Volo” concert – “Thank you for being with us for 18 years”
Ignazio Boschetto, Piero Barone, and Gianluca Ginoble captivated the 3,000 spectators in Piazza Alfieri; the song “Hallelujah” was dedicated “to our great friend Massimo Cotto.”
“With this tour, we are celebrating nearly 18 years together. Il Volo is about to come of age; by now, it’s like a marriage.”
That is how Ignazio Boschetto, Piero Barone, and Gianluca Ginoble—the members of Il Volo—greeted the 3,000 spectators gathered in Piazza Alfieri in Asti last night for the AstiMusica festival, marking their second appearance at the event following the 2018 edition.
It was a rich concert, highly appreciated by the audience—met with thunderous applause and a standing ovation—that saw the trio take the stage following two opening pieces performed by the orchestra under the direction of Maestro Giampiero Grani. “As you know,” Gianluca Ginoble explained at the start of the evening, “we bring *bel canto* to audiences around the world. Tonight’s concert is divided into three parts: starting with a more classical segment, then moving on to a section dedicated to our television format, ‘Tutti per uno,’ where we aim to showcase the unique artistic personality of each of us.”
Il Volo captivated the audience with a wide-ranging selection of songs—spanning from operatic pieces like “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici” from *La Traviata* and “La donna è mobile” from *Rigoletto* to film scores such as those from *Cinema Paradiso* and *Ghost*—while interspersing the music with conversations with the audience, often in a playful tone.
Highly acclaimed among the selections was “Mi sono innamorato di te” by Luigi Tenco, performed by Gianluca Ginoble. “There are artists who write songs,” he remarked before beginning to sing, “and artists who write wounds. Tenco was one of the latter. He understood, for instance, that sadness is not a weakness, but the price one pays to experience life more deeply. Let us, then, allow this song to remind us that we are truly alive when we have the courage to love.”
Next came Al Bano’s “È la mia vita,” featuring Piero Barone and Ignazio Boschetto in a performance with new arrangements. Then, pure poetry and emotion with “Hallelujah,” dedicated to two people dear to the trio who have passed away: “Our dear Barbara, who died two years ago, and our great friend Massimo Cotto—the journalist from Asti who passed away in 2024 and served as artistic director of AstiMusica—who had invited us to perform at this festival in 2018.”
Then, after two songs from the album *Ad Astra*, came the grand finale, featuring Il Volo performing—accompanied by the audience—two songs they had brought to the Sanremo Festival: “Capolavoro,” with which the trio placed eighth in 2024 (prompting a lighthearted comment about the result: “Next time, they won’t even let us in!” joked Boschetto), and “Grande amore,” the song that brought them victory in 2015. Finally, they performed Jimmy Fontana’s “Il mondo” and “Nessun dorma” from *Turandot*, followed by a final verse of “Grande amore” as they bade farewell to the enthusiastic crowd: “Thank you for being with us these past 18 years; we look forward to seeing you at the Turin concert this coming December,” they said as they left the stage.
I also wanted to let you know that, shortly before the start of the summer tour—on June 26th—Gianluca surprised the group “I MUSICABILI” in Roseto. They are a theater troupe dedicated to the social inclusion of young people with disabilities.
They posted the video with the following message:
“The full video of the surprise Gianluca Ginoble gave us yesterday. He is always like this with us: approachable, affectionate, and kind. He is always like this with everyone.
His soul is even greater than his immense artistic talent.
Another precious gift from Candida Di Bonaventura (theater teacher).❤️”
Also in Roseto, a few days later, Gianluca took part in the ROSETO GENTILE event and sang the beautiful song “Amara terra mia,” accompanied by Simone Cristicchi.
I’d say that after a rocky start, the 2026 World Tour’s summer leg has been going well; Italian venues are showing plenty of warmth—in every sense (both affection and scorching heat) 😁😁 and everything seems to be running smoothly. The next concert will be in Vigevano, Lombardy!!
At the Detroit concert there were several Flight Crew fans and also our administrator, Jana, whose beautiful review of the concert you read, then there were RoseMarie Paliobes and Mark and Mary Minton.
The Mintons sent us their lovely commentary and photos:
“Hi Daniela, we’re in Detroit, and last night we went to the Il Volo concert! It was wonderful, as always. I didn’t take many videos or photos because I had a rather large man sitting a couple of rows in front of me who would have been in every shot. We also attended the soundcheck and the meet and greet after the show. They changed up the show a bit, opening with “O Sole Mio.” The first half of the concert was entirely dedicated to Italian classics—including “Granada”—while the second half was mostly in English. A truly fantastic mix of songs. We also have tickets to see them in Boston and Connecticut in November. Hugs to everyone! Mary.”
Thanks Mary and Mark, it must have been a lovely evening!!
And now enjoy this fun interview, recorded in Bologna before leaving for the U.S. East Coast tour, and conducted by San Marino RTV (remember, San Marino is a small state within Italy) in anticipation of Eurovision.
The interview is conducted in English and Italian (turn on subtitles to understand Italian).
It begins with a nice overview of Bologna.
I’m always happy to read comments from people who’ve never heard Il Volo before.
This was written by photographer David Warren Clements, who attended one of their concerts for the first time. Below are some of his photos.
“We journeyed to way south of town to photograph a group that until recently I had not heard of….I love the fact that there is so many different types of music….pretty amazing the diversity of appealing sound.
These three gents, Gianluca Ginoble, Piero Barone & Ignazio Boschetto call themselves Il Volo.”
And finally, this nice review done by HIVE MAGAZINE right after the Dallas concert.
REVIEW:We went to see Il Volo at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas, Texas!
The recent performance by Il Volo at the Winspear Opera House was an evening that blended classical elegance with contemporary charm, leaving the Dallas audience both awed and energized. Known for their powerful operatic pop style, the trio Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, and Gianluca Ginoble demonstrated once again why they continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
From the moment the lights dimmed, the atmosphere in the room shifted into something almost reverential. The venue provided the perfect backdrop for Il Volo’s soaring harmonies. Opening with a dramatic number that showcased their vocal range, the trio immediately established control over the room. Their voices distinct yet seamlessly blended filled every corner of the hall, drawing listeners into a rich emotional landscape.
The setlist moved fluidly between Italian classics, operatic arias, and modern reinterpretations of popular songs. Highlights included their renditions of ‘Nessun Dorma’ and ‘Grande Amore,’ both delivered with technical precision and emotional depth. Each member had moments to shine individually, but it was in their harmonized passages that the true magic of Il Volo emerged. Their ability to balance power with nuance is a testament to years of training and performance experience.
What made the evening particularly engaging was the trio’s rapport with the audience. Between songs, they shared anecdotes, jokes, and reflections, creating a sense of intimacy despite the grandeur of the setting. Their charm felt genuine, never forced, and it helped bridge the gap between classical performance and modern entertainment.
One of the most striking aspects of the concert was how Il Volo managed to be both serious and fun at the same time. Their musical approach is undeniably rooted in discipline and tradition with every note carefully controlled, every phrase thoughtfully delivered. Yet, they infused the performance with a playful energy that kept the evening from feeling overly formal. Whether it was a lighthearted exchange between the members or a spontaneous moment of audience interaction, they showed that even the most refined music can be accessible and enjoyable. This balance allowed them to honor the integrity of the pieces while still inviting the audience to relax and be entertained.
The orchestral accompaniment further elevated the performance, providing a lush, cinematic quality that complemented the trio’s vocals. The synergy between the singers and musicians was evident, particularly in the more dynamic pieces where timing and coordination were crucial.
By the final encore, the audience was on its feet, responding with a standing ovation that felt both earned and inevitable. Il Volo’s performance at the Winspear Opera House was a demonstration of how classical music can evolve without losing its soul. For both longtime fans and newcomers, the evening served as a reminder of the enduring power of the human voice when paired with passion, skill, and a touch of charisma.
And the U.S. West Coast and Midwest tour is over!
There’s a lot of satisfaction and fulfillment, the fans are happy, and everything went well.
Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca have returned home to Italy, for a little rest.
The tour progresses quickly, interspersed with many interesting interviews.
The next state was Texas, where there were two concerts.
April 25th SUGAR LAND
The concert was at the Smart Financial Centre.
Before we get to the concert, I want to remind you that April 25, 2009, was the first time Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca sang together, exactly 17 years ago!!!
Happy Anniversary, guys! You’ve come a long way, and you’ll go a long way yet!🎉❤️🎉❤️🎉❤️
The concert featured the talented singer Maura Nava, whom we have already seen in other performances with Il Volo, together they sang the beautiful:
E PIÙ TI PENSO
At the first evening in Texas, our dear friend Deborah Georgini Beaupre was present and these are some of her testimonies, thank you Deborah! 😘
“At the end of the sound check, when they were saying see you tonight, I called out “Buon anniversario! Diciassette anni oggi!” ….and Piero immediately got excited, smiled and said…”Oh yes, that’s right! It is today and started talking to us about it! So here is the short video during the Concert about their anniversary!❤️❤️❤️”
Here we have the Musical Medley performance with four songs starting with Gianluca Ginoble singing “The Music of the Night”, Piero Barone singing “Love Story (Where do I Begin)”, Ignazio Boschetto singing “Tonight” and all three great voices singing “Don’t Cry for me Argentina”.
“My M&G photos and some photos I took. Until next time, whenever that may be! The concert was wonderful, the guys fantastic!!
A hug to all the fans: Deborah”🥰🥰
What can I say Deborah, “grazie mille” for the wonderful report on the concert and also for the beautiful videos and photos, you were fantastic, thank you so much!!😘
April 26 DALLAS
The concert was at the Winspear Opera House.
CIELITO LINDO
LIBIAM DE LIETI CALICI
SE
E PIÙ TI PENSO with Maura Nava
And finally, another nice and funny interview by USA TODAY Entertainment, preceded by a nice video with Ralphie Aversa.
Il Volo on advice from Andrea Bocelli. Why Pope Leo is their favorite.
NEW YORK– When the three singers of Il Volo left Italy for the United States to sign a record deal, it was the first time any of the then-teenagers had visited the country. It was 2009, and the trio signed with Geffen Records. At the time, Geffen and its sister labels housed the likes of 50 Cent, Eminem, Maroon 5 and the Black Eyed Peas, and those groups topped charts with hip-hop, pop and dance songs.
Still, Il Volo stuck to its goal of bringing bel canto (beautiful singing) to a global audience and they never considered the idea that they could potentially switch genres.
“We don’t want to be a copy of someone who does it better than us,” Gianluca Ginoble, 31, tells USA TODAY alongside his groupmates Piero Barone, 32, and Ignazio Boschetto, 31. “We are operatic pop singers. It’s like asking the Black Eyed Peas to sing ‘Nessun dorma.’“
The reference is an aria from the final act of the Italian opera “Turandot.” The solo song has been used in a number of films and it was performed by Andrea Bocelli at the opening ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. The trio says they have a “great” relationship with the Italian tenor, who they all count as an inspiration.
And yes, Bocelli has even offered the three younger vocalists some advice on what to do both on and off stage.
“The best advice he gave us? Eat the pasta, but with the ancient grains,” Barone reveals as the guys laugh. Ancient grain pasta is an alternative to modern wheat and can be easier to digest. “If you eat the pasta with ancient grains, you are not going to suffer with jet lag, you’re not going to suffer before a concert. Since I personally ate ancient grain pasta, my life changed completely.”
Il Volo on touring the U.S. and meeting Pope Leo XIV
Il Volo is in the middle of a spring tour in the U.S. that runs until May 2. The operatic pop trio revealed exclusively to USA TODAY that they’ll return to North America this fall for additional dates on their world tour. The eight-city trek kicks off Nov. 10 in Hollywood, Florida, and wraps Nov. 21 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
However, Il Volo jokes that while in the U.S., the group may not be looking to find the best restaurants that serve ancient grain pasta.
“Bring me to something typical here, right?” Boschetto says. “When you come to Italy, I’m not going to tell you, ‘Let’s do a beautiful barbecue,’ because (Americans) are better than us at that.”
The trio has a few more food hot takes up their sleeves: no pineapple on pizza and “shorter” (smaller) coffees. But as for performing on stage, Ginoble says the group is “really happy to be back on tour” and will be backed by a “big orchestra.”
In between their strings of dates in North America, Il Volo will play a number of shows back in Italy this summer. In August 2025, the group performed in Rome for Pope Leo XIV during the Catholic Jubilee celebration. Barone remembers a cardinal introducing the group to Pope Leo before their performance.
“‘Oh, I know them. I’ve listened since 15 years ago to your music,’” Barone recalls the pope saying as he shook their hands. “He’s my favorite.”
I’d say the Texas leg also went very well. A few more days and they’ll be ready for the final three concerts.
What about Maestro Grani, who, as you’ve seen, conducts all the concerts?
Congratulations, Maestro! Our guys can rest easy with you!
The concerts begin in Colorado, then California, then Texas, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois.
What about the new series of songs?
Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca have chosen a more classical program, with several operatic romances and bel canto. They are chameleonic and can afford to range from classical to pop!
April 15 Denver, Colorado
The concert was in Boettcher Concert Hall.
The guys at the gym before the concert!
ECSTASY OF GOLD
CHAT
IL MONDO
ADDIO FIORITO ASIL(Ignazio’s solo from Madama Butterfly)
This interview with FOX31+ DENVER is beautiful and funny.
APRIL 17 CALIFORNIA
The concert was in SAN JOSÉ at the San José Civic Center.
IL Volo was interviewed with a series of questions and answers by Classic Divinity, here is what was published.
#Repost @classic.divinity
Q&A with Il Volo – Pt. 1
We are truly honoured to have had the privilege of partnering with the world-renowned trio Il Volo (@IlVoloMusic) for a special Q&A session in anticipation of their upcoming North American tour.
It was an exceptional opportunity to engage with such remarkable artists and to share their insights, stories, and passion with all of you. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who took the time to participate and contribute thoughtful questions. Your enthusiasm helped make this experience all the more meaningful.
With appreciation, Aaron Isaiah Liu Founder & CEO, Classic Divinity
All the years I’ve followed Il Volo, I’ve never heard them perform where I live in Denver, Colorado. I’ve gone as far as Taormina, Sicily, and Lecce, Italia and stateside in NY and NJ, to hear them, but they have not come here. If I’m not mistaken, I think they have not performed here since March 2016, when they played the Paramount Theater, near the 16th Street Mall. That’s back when they looked like little boys, Piero didn’t tuck his shirt in, he was still wearing those very red eyeglasses, Gian wore his hair sticking way up, and the group didn’t book a very large venue. This time they used the Boettcher Concert Hall.
2011 to 2016 era: Mamma mia, quanto erano giovani! (Wow, how young they were!)
Il Volo in volo (Il Volo in Flight)
I’ve read the horror-stories/rumors on various web pages about Il Volo landing in Denver years ago in a snowstorm, having problems breathing at mile high altitude, and having Piero’s wheeled case full of eyeglasses get lost at our DIA airport. I have no idea if any of it is true or not. [By the way, Piero explained on Denver Fox 31 a few days ago that singing is Denver is no problem after singing in places like Mexico City or Bogota. “Just run 5 kilometers and you’re fine.”] However, after years of using Denver’s airports (old and new), I’m not particularly surprised about lost luggage. On stage this week, Ignazio added a Piero story to the DIA narrative. Igna says he doesn’t mind traveling on their big tour bus, because he gets a kitchen to himself. He says he’s a good “cooker”. He explained that during one tour season, when he and Gian were traveling by bus from the previous show to a Las Vegas show, “Prince Piero” chose to fly. They didn’t mention whether something happened with his volo (flight) or collegamenti (connections) or our strange weather, but he promptly got himself stuck in Denver. Piero protested it was still better to sleep in a hotel room than a bus bunk.
There were lots of rumors running around the auditorium lobby, including:
Piero got married.
All three guys are married.
Gianluca’s been divorced.
A group of concertgoers knew someone in Colorado Springs who claims she talks on the phone daily to all three guys to help them with their English.
I have no patience for that kind of stuff. In any case, I’m glad the guys started the US leg of the 2026 tour in the Mile-High City. Denver’s Boettcher Concert Hall, designed for opera and classical programs, has wonderful sound. It’s also shaped in the round, so most seats are close to the stage.
Although I’ve been to many Il Volo concerts, I’ve never been to a Meet and Greet, so I finally bought a VIP ticket that included Meet and Greet, along with the pre-show soundcheck. Soundcheck was cancelled, and like the cancellation in New York, I got different reasons from different people. The fan page standard text message always says cancellation was due to the venue. The Meet and Greet photographer/director, John shown here, said the guys were still working out this season’s new program and wanted rehearsal time without interruptions. That made sense.
John (more about him later)
On to the Boettcher Hall
It’s amazing how far people come to hear Il Volo live. Even though the Boettcher Hall (sadly) was not full, some people had come as much as 1,000 miles to this concert. The first person waiting at the entrance was Mary Ann Weaver, shown here, who had driven all the way from Shelby, Montana, had gone through major difficulties getting the right ticket, and ended up attending alone. She had photo gifts for the guys and a special one for Gianluca.
The next one I walked up to, Candice Wood, came all the way from Portland, Oregon. I thought she might have come the farthest. David and Sigifredo came from Albuquerque, NM. Like me, they had tried to attend the concert in Las Vegas at the start of COVID in 2020. Unlike me, they found out the concert was cancelled before they travelled. They’ve been waiting for a show in the mountain states ever since. I was hoping Il Volo would do some songs in Español for them.
Joice Dougherty, a long-time fan shown here, flew from Phoenix and drove with her daughter from Colorado Springs. Joice, a paesana Siciliana née Venuti, had one daughter with her and another daughter riding horses on the beach at Taormina, Sicily as we spoke. I’m so jealous and homesick for that place!
Molte Surprese (Many Surprises)
I waited to see Giampiero Grani seat himself at the piano just before the guys came out. However, there was a new young pianist on the bench. To my surprise, Giampiero walked across the stage and stood in the maestro/conductor spot. It was wonderful to see him with the baton in hand. Il Volo started by describing their respect and trust for him in that new role.
As always, an Il Volo concert has splendidly powerful young men’s voices, and uplifting, polished instrumental musicianship. Yet this one was different – more mature, more classical, more themed. This time it was also much more serious: not much scherzi e buffonate (joking and horseplay). Piero explained they have changed because they are always pushing themselves to improve. As Ignazio explained, you should “Never finish to study.” Some changes:
No appliquéd suit jackets or sparkle shoes.
It was the first time I’ve heard them perform Granada, the Great Caruso, or Funiculi, Funicula live, although many of you have. Since we were in the Spanish-speaking downtown of Denver I was happy they sang Granada but I had hoped for Cielito Lindo, too. Someone else was yelling for El Triste.
In honor of being in the American west, they added an aria from Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West (that one is sort of a spaghetti western opera style).
They added a medley of American classical/show melodies and no pop songs.
They did many more of my favorites, Mattinata, Libiamo ne’ Liete Calici from La Traviata, Nessun Dorma, along with some they’ve done for two or three seasons now, La Donna è Mobile from Rigoletto and Ennio Morricone’s Se from Cinema Paradiso.
When they did an old stand-by like “My Way”, Ignazio wanted it to be a sing-along.
Although Igna and Piero each did Puccini solos, Gianluca didn’t do a full solo. People more observant than me commented that it looked like he wasn’t feeling well and hurried off the stage at least once.
Many of the arrangements were shortened, but that may have been in deference to Gianluca. These guys pour out everything they have, and give a high energy performance every show, so it’s not surprising if any one of them wears themselves out or gets sick on occasion. I forgot what song it was on, but I did notice that Gian took his breath for his last high note, couldn’t do it, quickly rephrased, and skipped the sustain. It sounded fine (not flat) but, clearly, he was struggling with something, poverino (poor thing). When he spoke to me later, he seemed to be doing better.
As always, Ignazio introduced Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah as a prayer in honor of the many loved ones who over the recent years no longer stand alive next to them (Barbara Vitali, Igna’s father, and some Il Volo grandparents), reminding the audience we could share in the prayer to honor our own lost loved ones. I always like it when he introduces it that way.
They do have at least one new battuta (joke). Piero reminds the audience that Ignazio is now a father. Then he adds, “The best things about his son, is that he has the best uncles.” Ignazio cracks back, “Yes, because they’re rich.” I don’t know if that means Uncle Piero and Uncle Gianluca have been spoiling baby Gabriele with expensive giocattoli e regali (toys and gifts). Maybe or maybe not. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard Igna tease Piero for being rich.
Dopo (Afterwards)
I had been forewarned by Flight Crew staff and other fans what a Meet and Greet is like. John, the photographer and Meet and Greet director, explained that the guys had just performed for 2 hours, they had to travel early the next morning, they don’t want to get infected with anything, etc. Predictably, he planned to run a brief waiting line followed by a rush through. The rules were: no hugging or kissing (germs), no grabbing or handling, no long conversations, just a hello, a quick handshake, a picture, and move on. Well, it didn’t go exactly like that, but it wasn’t my fault.
To save time, as I walked up, I told the guys in Italian that despite writing for Flight Crew for some years, I had never met them, and this was my first Meet and Greet. Ignazio asked in Italian where my family was from, and when he heard Regione di Palermo, he started telling me in Sicilian all about having some relatives there. (Didn’t he know there’s no chiacchiere (chitchat) allowed!)
Il mio paesano (my paesano)
Piero reached over to tap me politely, also acknowledging that we were paesani (countrymen). (Didn’t he know there’s no touching allowed!)
Il mio altro paesano (my other paesano)
I was going to kid Gianluca, but he beat me to it. I was going to tell him (in Italian) “Don’t make fun of me for being so short. It makes everybody who stands next to me look tall, except Ignazio, who is already tall enough.” I never said it. Instead, Gian still had my hand and arm while he shook his head and started telling me how he notices that conversations with Igna and Piero always seem to switch from the guest being Italian to being Sicilian and always default to Sicilian dialect. He told me, “I’m amazed how all of you [Sicilians] slide automatically from Italian to ‘Siciliana sugno,’ like you just did. It happens every time.” (Didn’t Gianluca know he was making more chiacchiere that’s not allowed!)
Apparently, there are not that many Abruzzezi-Americani who switch the conversation to Gianluca’s dialect for him. If you are an Abruzzeso-Americano at a Meet and Greet at one of their American shows, please speak in your dialect to Gianluca. He’d appreciate it. (Even though there’s no chiacchiere allowed!)
I was facing the guys while they were still talking to me. At some point Ignazio spun me around to face the camera and get the pictures done. He could see over my shoulder that John, the photographer, was losing patience with the chiacchiere and was about to complain. But it was Igna’s fault. He started it.
So, if at another Il Volo concert you get to attend a “Meet and Greet”, and the photographer gets even stricter with the rules, don’t blame me.
Credit to owners of all photos.
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
