Maria at the gate. 2 hours! 90 degrees! what a fan!
Together with my daughter I attended my first Il Volo concert on June 26 at the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia, PA. I was in the isle seat and directly behind me is the ‘cat-walk’ where our marvelous guys sang. We were able to shake their hands several times as they sang behind us.
Looking at that handsome Ignazio!
I had this shirt made at a shop but I am wearing the black official Il Volo shirt. He was so close! It was the thrill of my life. I am so proud of them as I am from Sicily. The shirt I had made has their picture, the names of the 3 towns they come from and ‘Baci di Catania’ on it (my home town).
Gianluca replied to my daughter, Luisa, as he sang on the catwalk. She told him ‘you are magnificent‘ and he replied ‘ thank you‘ and shook her hand. He was being mobbed at the edge of the catwalk by female fans and he almost fell on my lap! I would have gladly caught him! Part of this is on another video of our boys. She is now an avid Il Volo fan, too. Piero passed right behind us and we got to shake his hand, too! You can see this video of us with our adorable and talented guys:
I have all their records and know each song. ALSO, because of them, in May 2015, I am returning to Sicilyfor the first time in 45 years to visit my family there and they promised to take me to Naro and Marsala. I am from Catania so it is very close to Naro. I plan to have pizza at Nina Boschetto’s Pizzeria, Pizzeria Dei Desideri. I would love to also go to Montepagano which is near my cousins, but it all depends on my brother and sister-in-law whom I am traveling with. All my young nieces and nephews adore Il Volo and went to Taormina to see their concert. I have a childhood friend there, a retired doctor, who said he knows Ignazio and Piero from when they were children!!! Am I lucky, or what!
Please keep up your wonderful site! I check it every day.
Love to all, Maria Leps
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Maria, I’m too jealous to even talk to you! ~Marie
Thank you so much for this opportunity to share. I first heard of Il Volo in 2010. I love Andrea Bocelli and all things Italian. I was surfing the net and YouTube and stumbled onto a video of the competition that the boys were in-in Italy. Things went crazy from there. I loved them with all their boy-like sweetness-so humble. And what voices!! I could not believe my ears. I have followed and loved them ever since.
In October of 2012 I got to see them in concert in Louisville, Ky. What a concert!!! I could not afford a m&g ticket but I wanted to meet them soooo bad. I started asking questions of the security guards and anyone else I could find. I finally found out that if I would go down the alley behind the building, they would probably come out after a while. My husband and I did so (he is so patient and understanding). After a while they came out with sparklers in hand singing Happy Birthday to someone. They were so happy. I waited a little so as not to interrupt their fun. Then I told each one how marvelous they were and said I would like to ask them one question. They said “Thank you” and then asked, “What would you like to ask us, ma’am?”I asked, “May I be your American Grandma?” At first I don’t know if they understood, then finally they said “Sure!” ! Later I tried to say something in Italian, but was so excited I could not think straight. Someone called Barbara over and she said, “It’s ok ma’am. I can tell by your smile and eyes” She was so sweet. When we left my husband said he did not get a pic of me and Ignazio-the camera was full. I made him delete other photos from our trip and go back. Ignazio graciously let him take our pic. I said,“T’amo—no no “ Ignazio knew what I meant and asked with his sweet smile,“Ti voglio tanto bene?” I said,”Yes, that’s it.” He laughed. My husband thanked him and told them how special they were. Ignazio was so polite and said,“Thank you, sir.” Here are two of the pics.
Then I got another opportunity to see them with my husband and lovely granddaughter in Nashville, Tn. in June of this year. I again could not afford a m&g for 3-so I finally got and older gentleman that worked for the Schemerhorn Symphony House to take a note and pictures to them back stage. I had a note for each one re-telling about my Kentucky experience with them and pics. I asked each one if they remembered. During the concert I got my granddaughter to go up to the stage when Gianluca walked over to our side. She did and said she will never forget.
He reached for her hand and said, “Hi there.” Then he kissed her on top of the head. I don’t guess she will ever wash her hair again! I could see stars in her eyes. On the last song I decided to make my way to the stage also (I couldn’t stand it any longer). Gianluca was there. He reached down and took my hand and said, “Oh! you are the lady that sent the note backstage.” I said,”Yes, did you remember me?” He said that he did. Then Piero came over and he recognized me from the pics also and said he remembered. I was on cloud nine. I could never get Ignazio to come over to that side of the stage. He was busy on the other side.
After the concert we waited by the gate for 2 hours along with other folks to see if they would come out. They eventually did and came up to talk. I told each one how exciting the concert was and what wonderful young men they are! I told each one that I loved them—not for their stardom or popularity but because of their spirit and kindness and humble attitudes. Gianluca said, “I love you too, ma’am.” I finally got to talk to Ignazio and said,”Listen, Ignazio.”I then started to sing “Summertime” by Porgy and Bess. He loves this song and started singing with me. Then it was all over –they had to go. I was high for weeks afterward—could not think straight for re-living it over and over. Thanks for letting my share my experience of a lifetime with you. Hope to meet some of you one day.
Michele and I checked into the hotel and met these lovely ladies for dinner.
They are Allene, Mary B., Me, Jane and Dorothy (You won’t recognize Dorothy’s name. She’s a reader). Michele, Mary’s Daughter Anne, and Dorothy’s Granddaughter were also there. These Ladies were my main reason for scheduling Milwaukee. Laura and Suzy, there was room for you both at the table! We also met a few more Flight Crew members before the show.
The concert was sweet! The Milwaukee Theater was beautiful. The Guys on stage were beautiful! It was their, and our, third concert in as many nights. They got a little slap happy – literally. Gianluca slapped Ignazio hard on the rear and Ignazio paid him back in the middle of a song. Pictures were not allowed at this venue.
Between dinner and the concert I noticed this picture Piero tweeted from his hotel room.
Here’s a close-up picture I took earlier from my hotel room.
I fell asleep dreaming They were in the room above mine.
The next morning Michele came to my room to tell me Ignazio was in the gym. Of course, I immediately threw on some clothes and flew. There he was on a treadmill! He wore earphones and was singing!!! I pretended I was just exercising on an elliptical machine. Soon though, I’m embarrassed to say, the raving fan took over my brain and body. I walked over and tapped him on the shoulder. He took off the earphones and smiled. I told him I had enjoyed the concert the night before and could I please take a picture. He said “sure” and started to step off the treadmill. I stopped him and said “I don’t want to interfere. Please just continue exercising and I’ll snap one.” He said “OK”, smiled (dreamily), put the earphones back on started walking and I took this picture and left.
I’m a little ashamed about interrupting him during what I’m sure was a non-fan time. I blame my mom. If I had been raised properly I probably wouldn’t have done that. Michele and I spent a few minutes outside the gym just listening to him sing. You know I wanted to run back inside and… So, Michele and I went down to breakfast.
After we sat down we noticed two of the Il Volo band members at the next table. We recognized the drummer and the guitarist. When they got up to leave I stopped them and told them how much we enjoyed the show. Believe it or not they were thrilled and stood by our table talking for a while. I asked them if I could take their picture. They immediately and happily surrounded Michele – very closely. It might have been her blonde hair and green eyes! I’ll save that picture for her and share this one.
They left and Barb Vitali sat down at the table across from ours. We told her we loved the concert then left her to her toast and juice. She was in a hurry and said the bus was loading in 5 minutes.
We finally checked out, had the car brought around and how lucky, there they all were loading the bus. We stayed way back by the car and took a few shots.
Bye Gianluca!
Bye Ignazio! (I should have run back in that gym and…)
Bye everyone! Hope to see you all again soon!
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Oh! Wait a minute. I almost forgot (sure!). Before the bus left. Before Barb and the band. Even before Ignazio in the gym. I spent more than 30.58 minutes alone with Piero. Yeah, I did! That’s next.
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
