Leafing through Facebook, I came across this beautiful article posted on this blog THE DIGITAL MOON.
As I read, I thought, finally, beautiful and appropriate words, exactly what all of us Il Volo fans think.
I later discovered that the article was written by the daughter of a Volo-friend, Cinzia, whom I met at an instore for the CD signing, and whom I always meet on these occasions or at concerts.
Congratulations, Laura Schena, you really did a great job (the article is signed Cinzia, because Laura used her mother’s name)
This article was then published by many Il Volo fanpages, and now I’m translating it for all of you!
THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY OF THE ITALIAN TRIO IL VOLO.
The world of international music has always offered a variety of unique talents and exceptional bands, but only a few of them manage to capture the attention and hearts of the public like the Italian trio “Il Volo”.
Composed by the two Sicilians Piero Barone and Ignazio Boschetto and the Abruzzese Gianluca Ginoble, Il Volo has earned a special place in the music industry thanks to their powerful voices, emotional performances and incredible artistic talent.
Il Volo was formed in 2009 during the participation of the three members in the Italian talent show “Ti lascio una canzone”. Their amazing onstage chemistry and impressive vocals captured the attention of the audience and the judges. This led to the creation of a group that would soon conquer the whole world.
From the earliest days, Il Volo has stood out for its ability to interpret musical pieces of various genres with a mastery that goes beyond the age of its members. Their lyrical voice and pop influences come together in a unique mix, bringing new life to Italian and international music classics. Songs such as “O Sole Mio”, “Granada” and “Nessun Dorma” have found a new generation of admirers through their touching and passionate interpretations.
One of the distinctive elements of the group is the exceptional combination of their voices. Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca each bring their own unique style, but when they come together in harmony, the result is a powerful and enveloping sound that manages to move the soul of the listeners. Their live performances are often characterized by pure and passionate emotions, creating an immediate bond with the audience.
Thanks to their monstrous talent, the guys from Il Volo have managed to extend far beyond the Italian borders. They represented Italy in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015 with the song “Grande Amore”, taking third place and gaining a large international following. Their world tours have taken them to many parts of the globe, allowing them to touch the hearts of fans from different cultures. I had the opportunity to attend several of their concerts throughout Europe such as Warsaw, Kiev and Budapest.
Despite the extraordinary success, Il Volo remained anchored in their humility and passion for music. They continue to work hard to perfect their vocal skills and hone their repertoire. Their dedication to the musical craft is reflected in their flawless performances and continued artistic growth.
In conclusion, Il Volo is much more than just a musical group; they are ambassadors of Italian music in the world. They bring with them the essence of the Italian musical tradition combined with a fresh reinterpretation.
Their unique vocal harmony and passionate performances make them a remarkable group. They are able to connect emotionally with listeners. Il Volo remains a shining example of talent, passion and dedication to the musical craft, and their impact on music history will continue to be felt for a long time to come.
Really beautiful words, Laura / Cinzia, you have expressed in an excellent way, what each of us thinks, congratulations.
And now let’s take stock of the boys’ holidays, with some photos.
I start from Gianluca, still in Abruzzo:
Piero in excellent and festive company.
IGNAZIO while test driving a Ferrari in a simulator in Marsala.
Ignazio on his motorcycle with a friend of his.
In recent days, a great singer, Toto Cutugno, has passed away here in Italy.
He was a well-known songwriter and his beautiful songs were also very successful in Eastern Europe and Russia.
In 2014 during one of his concerts in Russia, he wanted Il Volo as guests, together they sang his beautiful song LOVE IS TO LOVE THE LOVE. (AMORE E’ AMARE L’AMORE).
Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca held Toto in high esteem and he had a lot of affection for them! ❤
TOTO= Gianluca, Piero … IGNAZIO= ….and Ignazio.
TOTO= So, (he points to Gianluca) 19 years old, (he points to Ignazio) 19 years old, (he points to Piero), he’s the oldest in the group, 20 years old.
They gave me this satisfaction of singing this song of mine, and then, after this song I leave them alone, because they will let you listen to their successes in America, South America, Italy, France and Germany.
This song I wrote is called: Love is to love the love (he turns to the Russian translator) translate it well, LOVE IS TO LOVE THE LOVE.
Toto and Il Volo!!
….. and this is the image posted in the Instagram stories by Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca. ❤
Really sad news about the passing of Toto Cutugno.
I really hope that his beautiful song will be performed during the Milan concerts as a tribute to a great singer!
And what about Laura/Cinzia’s article, really wonderful words, isn’t it?
The holidays for our favorites are coming to an end, soon, very soon we will see them again in concert.
Back in March, when the guys were on the Michelle Huzinker show, “Michelle Impossible,” Michelle asked the guys this question….
Michelle: Ok, a little more gossip. Who happened to find his autograph on the calf of a Vololover??
Ignazio: On the calf!
Piero:We were in the United States, the morning of the concert I go on the treadmill to run and while I was running, I saw this lady next to me, we say hello, I run with earphones, I see it and I think I know that signature there, it was my autograph, here, tattooed like this (and he marks at the end of the calf).
Michelle: Crazy, incredible!
Piero says it was his signature, in reality was written IL VOLO.
For those of you who don’t know who Piero was talking about, it is Marie Crider who is one of the founders of the Flight Crew!
As we celebrate the Tenth Anniversary of Flight Crew, I thought it would be nice to talk about one of the founders. Since Marie had this beautiful experience with Piero, I thought what better way to honor her than by publishing her incredible story. Marie is now retired, but her story is a classic and her experience with Piero is incredible because he is incredible! Marie would call him sweet, and I agree and you will too after reading her story!
In 2014, when Marie Crider wrote about her meeting with Piero, she started her story with these words, “You know, the whole day before your life changes forever, it’s just an ordinary day.”
She goes on to say, “Here is what started that next day.”
Marie suggests we grab a cup of tea and pull up a chair. This is going to take a while.
Settle in and together we will hear the story about Marie’s Day With Piero.
After seeing that hotel room view (and realizing the guys were at the same hotel as she was.) and thinking there was a possibility that The Boys really were just above me, I noticed the gym was merely 10 steps from my door. I took that as an omen. I know the Boys work out mornings.
I got up at 6:30 a.m., threw on a t-shirt, sweat shorts and tennis shoes (no makeup – hair, well bad) and headed for the gym. No one there – Left.
7:00 – no one in the gym. 7:30 – no one in the gym. 8:00 – Two guys in the corner. Neither looked familiar.
I figured The Boys took off the night before if they were ever really there at all. I had been either sitting in a car or sitting at a concert for the better part of two weeks. At home I walk every day. I was stiff and crampy, so I hopped on a treadmill. Within five minutes someone jumped on the one beside mine. IT WAS PIERO!
Even writing that made my heart thump!
I took a deep breath and wondered why, since the place was almost empty and there were plenty of machines, he hopped on one less than six inches away. I vowed not to do a fan thing and just kept walking. He immediately said, ‘I see you.’ I said, ‘Yeah? Well, I saw you too.’ He laughed. I made Piero laugh! I will never forget that exchange! At this point I was walking to the pace of, Oh Boy, Oh Boy, pause. Oh Boy, Oh Boy.
Later, when I got back to my room I immediately wrote down everything I could remember.
Michele made me run it all by her, word for word, in case I remembered more. Thanks Michele! I wrote a few more notes on a couple of envelopes in my purse in the car.
Here’s what I remember:
I told him I enjoyed the concert last night. He must have been in a chatty mood ’cause he kept talking. He asked what my favorite part of the concert was. I told him ‘Everything’ (My momma didn’t raise no fool!). I did say that I really liked the solos and the new Caruso arrangement.
I asked him what his favorite part was. He said the big orchestra and the really nice indoor theater.
He asked what I didn’t like. I told him the only thing I didn’t like was not being able to take pictures. He said that it was not their request, it was a rule of the theater. I asked him what he didn’t like. He honestly told me a few things. Think I’ll keep them to myself.
I had an easier time remaining sane than you might think. My nervous energy was lessened by the fact that I was on a treadmill the entire time. However, about this time I had a thought, ‘I can’t believe you’re walking beside me talking like a normal person when last night 4,000 people were screaming your name.’That made me pretty nervous, and I tried not to think those thoughts again!
I asked him if there were sound problems last night. I said I thought I saw Ignazio giving hand signals to the sound guy. He agreed and said that it was only in the beginning of the show.
I told him I thought I saw him drinking more water than usual during the performance. He said, ‘Not really. When I do this a lot. I need much water.’ It’s hard to describe what he did, but he opened his mouth and made a hard whooshing sound out of his mouth and nose at the same time. I don’t think the average person could do this with such amazing force! He showed me this several times in a row. I said that I could see how it would make his mouth and throat dry. He said it did. He then told me that his solo ‘No Puede Ser’ was the hardest song he ever sang.
Piero said he was glad they had two days off and could get some ‘good sleep.’ I told him I thought his voice was sounding a little tired this morning. He said, ‘No, I always sound like Barry White in the morning?’ Wouldn’t you love for me to say he serenaded me with a Barry White tune right then and there? He didn’t. Hey, a girl can only get so lucky, and I was currently thanking my lucky stars, God, my parents, his parents, the treadmill manufacturer and everyone and everything within a hundred-mile radius! All I said was, ‘that’s not a very bad thing, Piero.’ He laughed again!
He asked how many concerts I had been to. I told him four. He asked which ones. I said Vienna, Virginia first. He said, ‘Oh yes, rain at first.’ We talked a little about Sterling Heights and Elgin, but I don’t recall what was said. I know he talked about them being outdoors. I told him that last night was my last concert. He said he had 3 more concerts in the U.S. and Canada. I asked if he then would get to go home. He said no, they will leave the U.S. and go to… He has a heavy Italian accent you know, and I had trouble understanding the word ‘Cannes.’ At one point I said, ‘Canada?’ He said, ‘No Cannes. Kah-inn-zzz.’ I got it. I asked when he would get home. He said not until July 6th or 8th. I had another thought here. ‘I’m awake, right? No one is going to believe this. Not even me!’
He asked where I lived. I told him Ohio. He said, ‘I know Ohio,’ but looked doubtful. I said, ‘You’ve been to Cleveland Ohio.’ He said, ‘Oh Yes.’ I could see the light go on in his eyes.
Keep in mind we were side by side this whole time. I’m still walking, and he’s started some serious running. I wanted a brief full body view, so I slid back a little on the treadmill. My sneaker hit the side and made a squeaking noise. He grabbed my upper arm and said, ‘be very careful.’ I said, ‘Thank you. I can’t believe you’re running so fast and still talking.’ He said, ‘I run like this every morning.’
I noted the timer on my treadmill said 30.58 minutes.
Piero soon stopped running and talking (darn). He got on some leg machine behind me. I was still walking and trying hard to remember every word of our conversation. Pretty soon I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked around and it was Piero. He said, ‘Will you stop please?’ (WHAT?!!) ‘Sure.’ Of course, I couldn’t find the off switch and I pulled that plug people use to attach themselves to the machine (Michele is still laughing about that). He said, ‘Can I take a picture of your tattoo?’ Ok, right then I thought I might get sick. He knew who I was! He could not have read the small tattoo on my ankle while I was walking on the treadmill! Now was my chance for proof of our meeting! I said, ‘Sure, if I can get my camera and take one of you.’ He said, ‘sure.’ He got down and took a couple of pictures. I flew to my room got my camera and called Michele.
When I returned he was back on the leg machine. He got up and asked me to join him in the picture. No make-up and dripping with sweat, I refused. He grabbed a barbel and posed for these:
After I took those two pictures do you know what he said? ‘Is that enough?’ What a man! Then I said, ‘Piero, I’m with the Flight Crew.’ He said, ‘I know.’ (Oh yes he did!) I said, ‘then you know I will probably write about this.’ He said, ‘Yes, certainly.’
I got back on the treadmill. Pretty soon, tap-tap again! (Swear to God!) This time I was sure he was going to invite me aboard that big black bus headed for Italy. I know there’s water. I would paddle! I pulled the plug (stop it Michele) and got down. He took my right hand in both of his and said, ‘I’m happy you enjoyed the concerts. I hope I see you again next year.’ I said, ‘Oh, you will!’
He put his towel around his neck, picked up his water bottle and went out the door. I don’t know how long I stood there staring at the door wearing a t-shirt that I hoped was wet from sweat and not drool or tears.
My Dear Piero,
If by chance you’re reading this and I now think there’s a good chance you are, I tried to tell this as accurately as I could. I hope you agree.
You are not only in possession of one of the three greatest voices alive, but you are one of the nicest people I’ve met anywhere. You have surely raised my expectations of you. Next year and the year after that and ten years after that, after you receive much more deserved notoriety, I expect you to be as honest and real with as much kindness and grace as you showed me on that most unforgettable morning.
Sincerely, Marie
Yeah, the day before was so ordinary.
This was a fun story full of lots of Marie’s humor!
But this is not the end of Marie’s story. On July 6, 2015, Marie was invited to an Il Volo Wine & Dine at Detroit Public TV. Marie wrote….
Dreams do come true, and Fairytales are real! Here is my story of an evening with those Three Italian Sweethearts.
This, not being my first Il Volo rodeo of extreme fans, I had either met or recognized about half of the 50 people there. Hello to all of you, especially Emilia, (wait until I tell you about Emilia!) from whom I received three hugs. My most proud moment at the dinner table was when one woman pointed my way and said, ‘That’s Marie Crider.’ I turned around to tell Marie how unusual it was that we would have the same name, but no one was there. The other woman looked confused until the first one said, ‘Flight Crew.’ I could see the light go on. She said, ‘Oh, I’ve read that.’ another woman sitting next to the first one, not to be outdone, said, ‘I get their emails every day.’ I politely thanked them all, but on the inside I was trying to decide if the Queen’s wave was the one from just the wrist. I am happy to tell you that there were several people who came up to meet me because I was a member of The Flight Crew! Never forget your Flight Crew Badge!
Michelle Gaisser, Mgr. Member Engagement, Detroit Public TV, (to whom I am forever grateful for my invitation to the event) brought James Lewis over to my table. He asked to join The Flight Crew. Jim, if you’re reading this I’m sorry I forgot your title with DPTV (marketing?) I was probably distracted by your good looks. Welcome!
Marie and Michelle
Everyone was having a nice time and trying to act calm until the first spotting of that Dimpled One and 50 people erupted like there were 500.
The Guys did not eat with us. Meet & Greet was next:
Marie and the Guys
I watched as Jana was anointed by Ignazio. He is so sweet! I didn’t know if I wanted to pinch his cheek or genuflect. Then it was my turn!!! Being second to last I wasn’t hurried. I told them how happy and proud I was for them for becoming so successful at home. You can only guess which one makes me stutter the most, so I tend to speak to him the least. I hugged him (he hugged back!) then I kissed those dimples. I try to be fair to them both and do really good, yet equal, kisses on each dimple.
Jim Lewis had my camera and got me sneaking this extra one before the photographer took our group picture. Hey, a girls gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. I had heard our Gianluca was ill and had a fever. Sure enough he had to step aside and use a tissue several times. As I was kissing cheeks I lingered on his to see if I could tell if he had a fever. (Well, my mom used to do that!) I think he did. I also whispered a secret in his ear. He smiled. I was kinda hoping I would catch his cold. Didn’t. They all signed my Sanremo DVD insert. I can’t tell you what else was said, it’s a total blank. Did you ever see a dog rub his back in the grass in ecstasy? That’s pretty much how I felt so, no chance to remember mere words. I was just trying not to smile like a fool. As you can see in the picture, I failed that goal. When I got to Piero I asked him to sign a picture Mary’s daughter took of he and I in 2013 when he jumped in our cab. He remembered! He told me when and where it was. He signed it, ‘With Love. Grande Amore, Piero.’ Then he looked at me and tilted his head. Was he trying to remember me from our conversation last year? or did he just notice my really bad hair day? Then Security thought I had had enough time. OK, but not before I get my hug!
Emilia greeting Gianluca. Look at Ignazio’s face. How do they stay so ‘normal?’
Now to Emilia. I had met sweet Emilia before. They call her ‘cupcake’ not only because she makes them, but because she is so cute and sweet! She’s around 18. She was immediately behind me at the meet and greet. Emilia went directly to Piero and said, ‘I wanted you to dance with me at my prom.’ That Prince of Princes, that gentle man of gentlemen pulled her to him, started singing and waltzed with Emilia tucked snugly into his chest! I wish all of you could have seen her face. I wish I had taken a picture, but I just stood there reveling in the moment. She has a treasured video of that dance on FB. (Sorry couldn’t find it!) I hope you get to see it!
I know this is long. It will be here. You can finish later if you like. I’ll mark the spot.
⇐ HERE ⇒
We went back to the dining room for dessert. Dessert? Like Jane said in her story, the ‘real dessert of the evening’ was yet to come! I had chocolate covered strawberries. The Boys were in hair and makeup.
The Studio:
Shortly, we were ushered into the studio. The Guys also came in. You have to know how astonished and elated I was to realize that we would be spending the next few hours in a small studio with THEM! Oh, Joy of Joys! First of all I have to tell you that our Angels did not act like angels all the time off the air! They played like three young brothers. They filmed some. They went live-on-air some. They spent time with us during filming breaks. They played three stooges with each other. Remember the night before last they were singing for 60,000 people at a free concert in Napoli and then spent yesterday waiting for a delayed flight that didn’t get to Detroit until after 10 pm. They were tired and probably a little slap-happy, but they had fun!!! And, OH MY GOSH! So did we! Here are just a few of their antics besides dancing and singing silly songs. Sorry that some are blurry, but they were swift in their play and hard to catch.
These are our Guys. These are our Guys with Security. Do you see the really big guy beside Ignazio? Nice Guy! He and I had several long conversations. Went something like this: Him: ‘Ma’am, you can’t go in there’ Me: ‘Yes, Sir.’ Him: Ma’am, please move on. Me: ‘Yes, Sir.’ Him: ‘Ma’am, Please stop texting. The sound is being picked-up by the microphones.’ Me: (oops) ‘Yes, Sir.’ Him: ‘Put HIM down!’ Me: ‘Nope.’ Only that last one is a lie.
Jana! Pledge Phone Volunteer Extraordinaire.
I was able to step back and have a brief conversation with Barb Vitali. We’re women. We talked about weight. We spoke just a few minutes longer then we had to get to our seats and be quiet again for another taping session. Luckily we were allowed to take pictures the whole time if we didn’t use flash.
If I had half a brain, I would stop my story here by telling you how much I enjoyed our Il Volo Gentlemen and the wonderful men and women with whom I shared the experience. But no… Some of you may never read this site again….
While Ignazio was wandering through the audience the people in front of me asked him to take a selfie with them. So, he bent over directly in front of my face, not a foot away there it was! What could I do? I poked it! I looked at Jane and said, ‘Oh no! I touched his butt!’ When I looked up there he was looking down at me with one eyebrow up to his hairline! He tried to give me a stern look. Didn’t last long and he broke out in a gorgeous smile and said ‘oooo.’ Whew! I had just traumatized myself and have no idea if he said anything else. I only know I did not have another conversation with Big Security Guy. Should have. It would have kept Allene on my left and Jane on my right from trying to rip off their Flight Crew Badges while crawling under their chairs a few minutes later.
The people in front of me did not learn their lesson. I blame them. So, when Piero came walking by they asked for a selfie with him too. Only in his compliance he bent over even further than Ignazio had. To my astonishment I saw two claw-like hands, reach up and… Oh No!…They were my hands! Of course he jumped! He turned around and to my great relief said, “Oh, Thank You!”. I’ll bet you think I sat there in complete humiliation. I didn’t. Jane and Allene did. I was smiling. I am still smiling. It was soft, yet muscular and I’m not sorry I know that.
But what happened to Marie?
I March of 2020, Jana challenged Marie to come out of semi-retirement and write something for us. She figured she was getting bored looking at palm trees, sunshine and sandy beaches! This is what she quipped…
Something’s Wrong With Me ~ Marie Crider
With the world in a sad and humbled state right now I thought you might like a little something on the lighter side:
~I just listened to an hour interview. It was all in Italian. I don’t understand Italian.
~I can’t lay in the sun without humming “O Sole Mio.”
~I go to concerts with a camera on my lap, but I’m afraid to use it in case I miss something.
~When in the front row at a concert and a security guy walks in front of me I want to shout, ‘How dare you come between me and THEM!?’ What does he think I might do, jump up on the stage? Ok…I might jump on the stage, but I’ve got Leelee, my concert buddy, holding me down. Oh, I could get past security anyway. He doesn’t have a club big enough to pry me off Ignazio’s leg.
~All Il Volo CDs in my car are copies of the originals. Just in case someone should steal my car.
~When St. Mark’s Basilica started flooding, I panicked. I wanted to book a flight, grab a bucket and go.
~Piero neglected to ask me if he could change the color of his glasses. (I may never get over that one.)
~The only pictures on my dresser are my Mom, my Dad and Gianluca.
~I have a strong urge to confess to the murder of someone named Delilah. Just to keep the heat off the Boys.
~I want to stand on a balcony in Italy and sing my heart out. It wouldn’t matter that I can’t leave my hotel room…the air is Italian and that’s good enough for me.
~I have 17 Il Volo t-shirts (actually 16 plus one nightshirt thanks to Jana) but I can’t wear them. Cause…well, what if one should get a stain on it… or fade…or get lost with luggage at an airport…or destroyed by a rabid dog…or snagged on a barbed wire fence? Makes me sick thinking about the horrible things that could possibly happen to one of them.
~I have “Il Volo” tattooed on my left ankle and an “Il Volo” license plate on my car.
Yep, something is definitely wrong with me. I may need professional help.
Jana thanked Marie for sharing her thoughts with us and coming out of semi-retirement! I’m sure we all feel the same in many ways! But, just one question, why is Gianluca on your dresser and not Ignazio??
The answer: It is an autographed picture of Gianluca!
Thank you, Marie, for sharing your story. I can think of at least 20 people who would die to have been in your place in that gym. Marie’s Day With Piero was one of the happiest days of Marie’s life, certainly the day when everything changed!
Happy 10th Anniversary Flight Crew!
On August 8, 2013, Flight Crew was founded. These were the founders, Owners/Administrators and Contributors….
Founders:
Kelly Aitch ~ Michele Azzara ~ Linda Snyder
Marie Crider ~ Elaine Tse
Owners/Administrators:
Kelly Aitch
Marie Crider
Jana VandeLaare
Contributors:
Patricia Ward
Lisa Joy –News& Videos
Myron Heaton – “Myron’s Music Notes”
Gina (Regina Hanna) – Bits & Pieces
Danielle Ciarelli – “Danielle’s Diaries”
Daniela Perani – Contributing Author & Translator
Jane Ceminsky – “Personally Speaking”
The Administrators and Contributors Today….
Daniela Perani
Danielle Ciarelli
Jo Ann Tischler
Jana VandeLaare
Mary Jane Ceminsky
Kelly Aitch
Lisa Joy
Myron Heaton
Patricia Ward
Susan De Bartoli ~ “Through the Fields of My Mind”
For you listening pleasure ~ The full concert from Verona September 23, 2015
Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!
If you would like to share a story with me, please email: susan.flightcrew@yahoo.com
Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca are on summer vacation, but in the monthly LA FRECCIA, printed by the Italian Railways, a nice interview has been published which I am now translating for you, and what about the wonderful cover?? ❤❤❤
Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero. Three different characters, three different depths of thought, three personal voices which, thanks to a truly special chemistry, made up of glances and nods of assent, complement each other perfectly merging into a single voice, that of the Il Volo group.
At less than 30 years old they have lived unique experiences, bringing their passion for music all over the world. Simplicity is true elegance and Gianluca Ginoble, Ignazio Boschetto and Piero Barone are full testimony to this.
For 6 days, on 2,3,4 and then on 6,8 and 9 September, they will be at the Arcimboldi Theater in Milan with Tutti Per Uno (All For One), a show where their voices will come together to tell their story and their values, directly contact with the public.
Those who come from far away and don’t want to miss the event can take the Frecciarossa, the official concert train.
What does ALL FOR ONE mean to you?
IGNAZIO= It is the desire to show our three personalities. We presented it at the Verona Arena with two episodes on Canale 5 and it was a great television success. In September we take it to the theatre, a more intimate place, which allows us to have the spectators close.
GIANLUCA= We love our audience, who have been following us for almost 15 years. The great fortune is to be able to go on stage and express who you really are. We were born as child prodigies, over time we have evolved, proving that we are not meteors. Now the time has come for artistic maturity, to show what we are individually. We are three leaders, each with its own identity. It is important for us that the public perceive it.
What is left of those three children?
PIERO= Fortunately, the child in each of us is still there, capable of being surprised by each concert, by each result obtained.
Without him, the passion for this profession would also end.
We have a great fortune in common, that of always trying to think big, all three of us committing ourselves in the same way. All for one was a great commitment, because we wanted to highlight our individual vocal characteristics without distorting the sense of the group.
There is no perceived “routine” in your shows. It’s different every time.
PIERO= It must be like this, the saddest thing is getting used to it. Every time you look your audience in the eye from the stage, you know they are there to share your art.
GIANLUCA= We are constantly evolving, every day we see things with different eyes and we try to convey new emotions.
What are your best qualities?
IGNAZIO= Surely the stubbornness, stubbornness and discipline in achieving a goal. This characterizes all of us. We are three independent artists who always want the good of the group. Sometimes it is normal that we go a little out of line, but the beauty is in transmitting authenticity with our music.
GIANLUCA= It was difficult to consolidate success. Our need, in this phase of our career, is to demonstrate that we are not just three tenors, also because my vocality is a baritone, but three singers. This is the goal for the next few years, especially in Italy. You started and continued with a popular repertoire, was it a choice?
PIERO= Honestly, at 14 it’s very difficult to choose what to sing. We met by chance on a TV show, nothing was planned and someone decided to put us together. We didn’t even know each other, let alone decide the repertoire. We achieved our first successes thanks to the popularity and strength of the songs we sang, transmitted by our grandparents and part of Italian culture.
Growing up we felt the need to have our singles and some unpublished works, such as Grande Amore, from 2015. Today the repertoire also depends on the country in which we perform: in Japan they love classical music more, while in South America they prefer our unpublished works.
GIANLUCA= The concert schedule in Warsaw is totally different from that of Mexico City. In Tokyo we sing with symphony orchestra, while in South America we are accompanied by band and orchestra.
In the United States we range from aire d’opera to Elvis Presley. And an incredible thing is that in 2011 we had a nomination for the Latin Grammy Awards with a Spanish repertoire. The public likes this dynamism.
IGNAZIO= Among other things we have a lot of fun, because that’s what we like to do. It is the fortune of those who have transformed their passion into a job.
How do you divide the tasks among you?
GIANLUCA= There are those who deal more with management, those who have a more creative and artistic vision, those who dedicate themselves to sound. There are roles, but everyone can intervene on everything. We have respect and esteem for each other: after all, only in this way can we move forward.
How do you always agree?
IGNAZIO= You have to be intelligent, have the ability to accept the ideas of others and look for a meeting point when you are in conflict. Wanting the good of the group has always been our strength.
The next goal?
PIERO= We would like to expand our repertoire of unpublished works. Grande Amore was a turning point that allowed us to do a lot, leading us to duet with great guests in Tutti Per Uno, to create something beautiful together, always with the aim of surprising our audience.
What is the beauty of life for you?
GIANLUCA= Having special people next to you, who allow you to grow, make you better every day and are able to listen to you.
IGNAZIO= Being able to feel alive every day, with enthusiasm and energy. At our age, everything should be fine. But we grew up fast. We are aware of the great opportunities we have had and, precisely for this reason, we try to aim higher and higher.
PIERO= The beautiful thing in life is to enjoy it. We rush too much, sometimes we need to have the strength to stop and reflect to identify the real priorities.
You don’t have star attitudes.
PIERO= They often define us as three humble boys, actually, I think the right term is educated. We are the reflection of how we grew up, of the values that our families have passed on to us. And we are very similar in this.
GIANLUCA= For people of our age it is important to understand that a secret to living more peacefully is to really put yourself in the other’s shoes: knowing how to respond to a message from a parent who asks you how it’s going or to that of a colleague who could be disappointed. Open up to sensitivity and empathy.
Did your families support you?
IGNAZIO= They have always been part of our growth and our career. And it is still like this today. They have helped us to be consistent, to make efforts and sacrifices without resting on our laurels.
Where did you grow up?
IGNAZIO= Traveling (laughs). I was born in Bologna, then I moved to Sicily to return to the Emilian city (Bologna) after the victory of Sanremo in 2015. Moving from here is more practical.
GIANLUCA= Me near the sea, in a small village of 600 souls called Montepagano, a fraction of Roseto degli Abruzzi, in the province of Teramo. Every morning I had coffee with my grandfather and his friends, who played cards. I have wonderful memories of summers cycling and walking on the beach. We had a normal childhood, then, upset by the sudden change in our lives, we matured quickly.
PIERO= I was born, raised and continue to live in Naro, a municipality that is part of the Agrigento consortium. Knowing that you have a place where you can regenerate after long tours is very important to me. Here people are sincere, they don’t know what ambiguity is and they see me as one of them.
What is the perfume of your childhood?
IGNAZIO= For me it is that of the land behind my house, in Sicily, where I used to play with my cousins building huts, soccer goals and motocross tracks to be covered strictly by bicycle.
GIANLUCA= I perfectly remember the smell of the donut that my grandmother used to prepare when I went to her house. Today my mom does it and the perfume always reminds me of the euphoria I felt going to my grandparents’ house, a bit like the madeleine for Proust. It is my personal search for lost time, for that infantile part that will never die.
PIERO= For me it’s the smells that the ground gives off after the storm, it’s the scent of being in the countryside with my grandparents. A mixture of earth and rain combined with the citrus aroma that came from the lemon and orange trees. Indescribable and never found elsewhere. Perhaps these are precisely the reasons why I can’t adapt to a big city.
IGNAZIO= I know that magic. When I was little and it rained, in the morning my friends and I went to collect snails.
GIANLUCA= And if he ate them raw (laughs).
With your concerts you have had enormous success in big cities of the world. What does it feel like?
GIANLUCA= Being able to express your passion exponentially and knowing that from New York to Tokyo there is someone waiting for you is the most beautiful thing that can happen to an artist. We hope, thanks to our audience, to be able to travel and open our minds to new horizons for a long time to come.
Speaking of travel, what emotion does taking the train arouse in you?
IGNAZIO= I’ve always been passionate about planes, but I must admit that today, the best way to travel in Italy is by train. It is also one of the reasons why I moved to Bologna, with the high-speed train you are in Florence in just over half an hour and in Milan in about an hour. In less than four you can reach Rome and Naples. Once, during a trip on the Frecciarossa, I was able to visit the cockpit, a sort of spaceship. Very cool. I also remember a train journey from New York to Washington as particularly exciting.
PIERO= In Japan we also got on the Shimkansen, the Japanese high-speed trains. But our Frecce are no different, a real Italian pride. We need to stop complaining about the things that don’t work and appreciate the things that work. The Italian railway service is of the highest level and if I can choose which means to travel with, for me it is always the train.
GIANLUCA= I would then add that there is no train without a book and there is no book without a train. Getting on board also means dedicating some time to yourself to think and reflect, read and get lost. You can fall in love on the train, it’s a true metaphor for life. (Piero and Ignazio smile)
What impression did it give you to know that Silvio Berlusconi was a big fan of yours?
PIERO= When in 2015 we participated in the Eurovision Song Contest, he supported and supported us. Many ideas and projects were then born from his ideas, so much so that our manager Michele Torpedine defined him as the fourth member of Il Volo, always present behind the scenes. We recently closed an agreement with Mediaset for next year. A perfect harmony has been created with the company and knowing that those who have always led it appreciated us, is a reason for great happiness. We are sympathetic to the family for the loss they have suffered. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t have someone who believes in you, it becomes very difficult.
Which foreign country stole your heart?
GIANLUCA= In my case Japan. Eastern culture allows you to experience something very different from what we are used to.
IGNAZIO= Every country leaves us something. In South America, for example, fans chased after our cars for a photo with us.
PIERO= In my opinion you can steal something from every culture. It has to do with that attitude that drives us to look for the best in each country and take it away with us. The entrepreneurial mentality of the United States, the great respect towards the neighbor who lives in Japan. South America’s ability to face life with a smile. Of Italy, a foreigner would undoubtedly appreciate the quality of life.
Can you always find time for selfies and autographs?
GIANLUCA= An artist has to worry when they no longer ask him for a photo together.
IGNAZIO= We are first of all people and then characters. Sometimes you have days in which you are dazed, as we say in Sicily, moments in which you have little energy and appear less available, but that is not the case. We are always happy to meet our audience.
What do you love in people and what do you hate?
GIANLUCA= I borrow the words of Erich Fromm, the great German psychoanalyst. He said he couldn’t bear people who were amorphous, soulless, incapable of having a constructive dialogue or sharing ideas. Here, also in my opinion, those are the negative people. Instead, I love to surround myself with those who allow me to grow artistically and personally.
IGNAZIO= There are many people like those described by Fromm. If Amedeo Modigliani were still alive, today he would have painted thousands of faces without eyes.
PIERO= Instead I appreciate more than anything else the education that rewards and will always reward.
We conclude by thinking about one of the joys of life: food. Are you more for the table or for the kitchen?
IGNAZIO= I prefer to stay in the kitchen all my life.
GIANLUCA= I, on the other hand, am more of a table type. I like starred restaurants, two or three hour tastings accompanied by a good glass of wine. We had lunch in Massimo Bottura’s restaurant, an unforgettable experience.
PIERO= I have a wonderful relationship with food. I need to eat, I play a lot of sport and I don’t give up anything at the table. I run often, I’m also preparing for the NYC marathon.
IGNAZIO= It’s true, we don’t know who he’s running from, but he always runs.
Gianluca, Andrea Radic (interviewed), Piero e Ignazio.
Here instead is the video made by Andrea Radic who interviewed Il Volo and in the end, after meeting them, wanted to say a few things.
RADIC= Dear friends, Il Volo in its splendor, Gianluca Ignazio and Piero, from September 2 at the Arcimboldi in Milan, the first time in a theater in Italy, with a wonderful show, you can’t miss it, and in August on the Freccia (the train), our chat.
I really discovered how much humanity, passion, professionalism there is in these gentlemen.
GIANLUCA= See you on all trains, then.
PIERO= You can read our interview on all Frecciarossa trains.
IGNAZIO= And if the newspaper is on the seat, first remove it, don’t sit on it!
RADIC= Exactly (laughter). Great.
GIANLUCA= See you at the theater!
To go from Bologna to Caserta, Ignazio also used the Frecciarossa train, and guess what he found on the seat? 😁
And in this video, Ignazio promotes Italian trains a bit.
IGNAZIO= Frecciarossa arrived. I’m in Florence, I’m going to Naples (Reggia di Caserta).
This is one of the reasons why I travel with Frecciarossa: comfortable, it avoids queues on the motorway, I hate traffic. Crazy, then it’s easy to reach Milan for our concert in September at the Arcimboldi, from any city, Turin, Bologna, Rome, from any city Frecciarossa, come to Milan, stroll around the Arcimboldi theater, perfect!
And then I must say that they have good tastes (he shows the newspaper with their interview) 😁
And here is the promo video published on the Facebook page of the Italian railways, which presents the newspaper that all the people who will travel on the Freccia train in the month of August will find this newspaper for free.
Truly a beautiful interview with excellent questions which our sweet young men answered as always with maturity and great knowledge of things.
After the “Night of the Stars” event, we all thought that Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio would begin their well-deserved holidays, but we were wrong, because the 1st Silvio Berlusconi Trophy was scheduled, a football match between two teams, the Milan and Monza, both of which have Silvio Berlusconi as their president.
Here is the promo of the event.
VOICE= An evening live event, a special celebration thanks to Il Volo. Competition, passion, unforgettable moments. An indelible mark on world football. Two teams, a president forever in the heart. First Silvio Berlusconi trophy Monza-Milan live on Canale 5
Dressed with casual elegance, in black, Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero sing two tunes: “UN AMORE COSÌ GRANDE”, a clear reference to the great love that Silvio Berlusconi has always had for his football teams.
And then the “NESSUN DORMA” that is often sung at the beginning of a game. Impeccable as always our boys.
Whether they present themselves in a very classic environment like in Caserta and before a football match, our boys are never out of place and always give their best.
Now I would say that our guys can really go on vacation, in fact there are already the first videos from the places they have already reached.
Ignazio lets us know that he is in Sicily on the beautiful island of Pantelleria, with friends …… and who knows that he will find love!!
Piero has always said that he spends his holidays in Sicily and in fact we have this photo.
Gianluca sends us this beautiful photo of a sunset in Montepagano.
But first he was “pinched” by a journalist while kissing his Eleonora and the photo ended up in the weekly CHI.
The newspaper comment goes like this:
GIANLUCA GINOBLE, ELEONORA MAKES HIM…FLY 🎼 They have been together for more than a year, but they remain a couple full of passion: we are talking about Gianluca Ginoble, 28, singer of the award-winning musical trio Il Volo, and Eleonora Venturini Storaro, 28, young stylist and granddaughter of the great cinematographer Vittorio Storaro (“Apocalypse Now” by Francis Ford Coppola and “Tea in the desert” by Bernardo Bertolucci bear his signature). The two, on vacation, can’t tear themselves away from each other, between kisses and hugs ❤️.
Gianluca also posted this beautiful and affectionate photo! ❤
I’m sincerely happy that Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero are on vacation, they need to let their minds wander and “recharge their batteries”, I think there will be an intense autumn and they will surprise us with so many new things.
This is one of my favorite interviews! Ermelinda shared such beautiful memories of Ignazio with me! She truly loves him and was and still is one of his biggest fans. It gives me great joy to share this amazing interview with you!
Competition before Ti Lascio una Canzone
A couple of years ago, someone shared one of my stories on Facebook and Ermelinda De Bartoli commented on it. She said: “Susan, Ignazio was my student until the second year of high school when after being launched with the others in the Italian broadcast they were discovered. After then he really took off … I really saw him take off.”
When I read this I said, wouldn’t it be great to have Ermelinda tell us who The Real Ignazio is and what he was like as a teenager! Ermelinda graciously accepted my invitation to be interviewed. The interview was in Italian. Below is my English translation.
Susan: How many years were you Ignazio’s teacher?
Ermelinda: I had Ignazio in class the first two years of social economic high school.
Susan: How would you describe Ignazio as a student?
Ermelinda: He was a quiet student who attended with good interest.
Susan: Ignazio’s mother said Ignazio was always very serious and responsible! How would you describe him as a teenager?
Ermelinda: I met him when he was only 14 years old. He was at the beginning of adolescence, and he was always joking. He was very attached to his family. He grew up in Bologna because the family moved there for work and at the age of 10 he moved to Marsala when the family decided to return. In Marsala he attended middle school and two years of high school. At school he was playful and sociable, with a very open and modest character. He often told us about his passion for singing which he studied with a teacher. His life as a teenager was not hard, because, as soon as he started his career at the age of 15, his life changed due to the numerous commitments linked to his success and the new path taken with Il Volo.
Susan: Would you say Ignazio was shy?
Ermelinda: Ignazio has never been shy! As I said he was always joking. In class, he was a driving force in terms of sociality and aggregation.
Susan: They call Ignazio the funny one in the group. Was Ignazio funny when he was your student?
Ermelinda: In the classroom it was fun because even though sometimes he was not very prepared in some lessons he intervened trying to repeat even what he did not know but he did it with such sympathy that we smiled at each other … and he also made a lot of self-irony about his being chubby, he lived this state of awareness without any concern or sympathy. His beautiful character dominated everything.
Susan: Ignazio is very kind and compassionate. Was this something you noticed about him as a teenager?
Ermelinda: He was very generous and affable to everyone. In particular, he was very compassionate towards some pupils with disabilities, with whom he often conversed, holding them in high regard and showing empathy. I remember an episode one evening after he won Ti Lascio una Canzone, the whole class with me and another colleague went to the pizzeria. Ignazio was just fifteen and, when it was time to pay the bill, he came to me and said: “Professor, you are my guest.” I understood that in him there was so much kindness in his manner and in his soul, in this case, a kind gesture towards a woman.
Susan: Were you amazed when you first heard Ignazio sing?
Ermelinda: During the hours of musical education, we turned on the PC monitor, we put on the Karaoke and, while not being able to hear the music due to lack of speakers, Ignazio would stand there and sing a cappella and his voice was already so powerful that it expanded to the corridors and from there a little bit in front of our door, where pupils gathered from other classes. They were ecstatic! Given the exceptional nature of the moment they had permission from their teachers to leave the classrooms to listen to him sing. The other thing is that while he sang, I felt shivers and so did many of his companions who expressed the same sensation.
Susan: When Ignazio was your student, he was already studying with Lilliana Adreanò. Ignazio said he had a great passion for soccer and, he loved to play every afternoon but, it had been less so after he started taking singing lessons. He said, “I had less free time and then no free time and I realized that singing was more important than all the rest.” How do you think Ignazio saw his future at that time?
Ermelinda: It is true to study singing he began to leave other hobbies. After Ti Lascio una Canzone, despite having being praised by these great Italian singers, who sang with him, I remember that he told all this with great modesty and simplicity and despite the fact that he had won he never spoke of great expectations nor did he delude himself, at least, until the moment in which Michele Torpedine and Tony Renis hired them after a short time, to form Il Volo. I heard the comments on him by experts such as Claudio Cecchetto and Al Bano who, when he told him that he had recently taken singing lessons, was amazed.
Another detail that I noticed is that while he sang he always kept his eyes closed and he told me that he was doing it because having recently lost his grandfather, who he adored, while he sang it was he who Ignazio thought of and he sang with his heart.
Susan: How did you see Ignazio’s future at that time?
Ermelinda: During that winter he went to Rome every week for the broadcast, he was still attending school. The problem arose when they signed the first contract and then he could no longer attend school because the tours around the world began immediately.
Susan: Ignazio went from your classroom to Ti Lascio una Canzone and immediately became a star. You told me after the Italian program, he just took off. You said you saw him take off! What was it like watching all of this happen before your eyes? Did it seem like it was all happening very fast?
Ermelinda: Of course having seen him “take flight” in a short time and, see him pass by the school desks, and then on a stage was for me, as for all his companions, a great emotion and a source of great pride.
Susan: Did you see a change in Ignazio during this time?
Ermelinda: Ignazio was still at school, after his first success, and with all of us, he always remained himself … with a modesty and genuineness that still distinguishes him today.
Susan: During the performances Ignazio sang with some really great singers. Massimo Ranieri, Albano, Fausto Leali to name a few. These singers were in awe of him. Do you think that Ignazio understood what was happening to him?
Ermelinda: Yes, these singers were more than in awe of what they heard, they were astonished, something that Ignazio confirmed when we asked him. And, to think that he was still a kid, and had not yet completed the development of the vocal cords.
Yes, Ignazio from the point of view of his singing ability had already understood in comparison with these famous singers that he had what it takes to become even greater.
Susan: How did your other students feel about what was going on in Ignazio’s life?
Ermelinda: His classmates were very happy and excited. Every Saturday night none of us left the house. We all waited to see Ignazio on TV … and on Monday when he returned to school, for the class, it was a riot and bursting questions, and also a source of pride to kids as they were, to have him as a companion … the little big star, their friend.
Susan: Did the other students treat him any differently when he returned to class?
Ermelinda: Pupils from other classes certainly looked at him with more interest.
Susan: You had to be very proud of Ignazio. Can you tell us how this made you feel to see your student on TV and watch him take his first step towards stardom?
Ermelinda: During his performances of Ti Lascio una Canzone, being still a kid and not going out much alone, even the people of Marsala followed him with pride. People who knew him in school as that, chubby boy, still in the grass, at that moment obviously aroused a lot of interest especially among the boys.
Susan: I would imagine there was great excitement in Marsala during Ti Lascio una Canzone. Ignazio said people started to recognize him. What did Ignazio’s performance on Ti Lascio una Canzone do for the people of Marsala? What did you notice was going on with the people of Marsala?
Ermelinda: Let’s say that the reaction of the people of Marsala began “as soon as he started” in Il Volo and reached its peak when they won the Sanremo festival.
The Two Tenors
Then
Now
Susan: Did you every stop to think about how this all happened? How did a young man from a very simple family suddenly become a superstar?
Ermelinda: It often occurred to me that what was happening to Ignazio was a fairy tale … of those things that you think can only happen in fairy tales. He is a boy with a great talent hitherto unknown, from a very modest family but very united and with healthy values, he was able to tread the scenes of half the world … from his cottage in the countryside to a duet with Barbra Streisand and much more that we know.
The way in which all this happened is told by the facts that there was a first revelation of his talent and Ti Lasco una Canzone, as we know, could remain there as it happens to many without getting anything else; then as he also said he had the luck of an intuition of the director who suggested to the managers Michele Torpedine and Tony Renis to form the trio.
Susan: We are in a pandemic now and while the music world is trying to restart, Ignazio, at age 25 and already a superstar, has made his debut as a music producer. He has his own production company, Floki! Ignazio said, “Production has always been my dream. It started with an idea to give a chance to those who deserve a break.” I know Ignazio has helped many young aspiring artists get a start. How do you see Ignazio in his role as a producer?
Ermelinda: Yes, Ignazio at 25 is already a star, aware that he too has skipped the stages of adolescence a bit, a period in which there are more joys than duties, but he has always said that all this deprivation has always been filled with his love for music and today he also finds himself working as a producer. From what I know about him, in my opinion this new path was born above all from his constant desire to want to help others.
Susan: How did you feel when Il Volo won Sanremo?
Ermelinda: When Il Volo won in Sanremo, that evening, in addition to the great emotion, I retraced the periods of when Ignazio was still young, always talking with humility about his first successes and I also thought that from the beginning I told myself that he was a phenomenon, so seeing him on that stage, the most important in Italy, was for me just as it was for all Marsala people.
Susan: When Ignazio returned to Marsala after winning Sanremo, the whole city came out to greet him. Can you tell us about that?
Ermelinda: When he returned to Marsala after Sanremo, the Municipality organized a ceremony in his honor to award him the title of “Ambassador of Marsala in the World,” which took place first in the hall of the city council whose images were projected simultaneously on a large screen on the square where we were thousands of people. I remember that his speech was directed to all those talented guys who deserve to be helped to be able to take off and that he with some of them was trying to do it. Afterwards he took to the square and I tell you what everyone did with warmth and recognition emanated from that square: I sang “Grande Amore” with everyone in the square … a unique emotion.
Susan: Finally, what would you like to add about Ignazio that we haven’t already covered?
Ermelinda: I think I have said everything about him of what I know and what I have had the opportunity to perceive. When I talk about Ignazio, with others, I always say that he is very humble, modest and always very affectionate with the people who meet him. I still say: “Ignazio, is a beautiful soul.”
Mr. Personality
Ermelinda I want to thank you on behalf of all the fans for sharing your great memories of Ignazio and I would like to invite you to come back with anything that tells us more about your experiences with our beloved Ignazio!
After this interview I had two additional teachers contact me to say Ignazio was their student! I felt this interview said it all and showed us The Real Ignazio!
One final note, you may have noticed that Ermelinda and I have the same last name. Ermelinda lives in Marsala and I live in New York. About a month before the interview I got a message from Ermelinda asking me about my roots because she and I have the same last name. I told her my grandfather was from Calabria but, I recently got an update on my DNA and found out I have roots in Marsala. Ermelinda wrote back and said we must be related because we are the only De Bartoli’s in Marsala. This is something I plan to investigate more. I would be very happy if this lovely lady and I were related. Who knows, Il Volo may have helped me find some long, lost, relatives. Thank you, guys!
Ermelinda De Bartoli and Susan De Bartoli
Il Volo Takes Flight 2011 Full Concert
Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!
If you would like to share a story with me, please email susan.flightcrew@yahoo.com
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Credit to owners of all photos.
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