The news was confirmed by several parties, in less than a month, the new Il Volo CD:
IL VOLO SINGS MORRICONE, will be released.
The date is on November 5th, but it is already possible to pre-order it.
The album will be available in the following formats: standard CD, Deluxe Version CD, double colored vinyl and double black vinyl.
“Your Love”, taken from Once Upon a Time in the West, a song that Il Volo presented for the first time at the Sanremo 2021 Festival, is available on streaming platforms.
The album Il Volo sings Morricone comes after the concert-event, Il Volo – Tribute to Ennio Morricone, which aired live on Rai 1 last June and which was held at the Verona Arena.
I can’t wait to have this CD.
But I will not order it, because I hope that Il Volo, like every time, will make an instore in Milan, where it will be possible to buy it and also meet our three treasures, and take a picture with them.
Of course, then I’ll tell you everything !!❤
But now, we observe well the new CD.
First, let’s take a look at the cover.
I have to congratulate those who have thought of presenting the new CD taking a cue from the movie posters.
I really like this idea, in fact the photo of Il Volo is very reminiscent of the poster of “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, as you can see.
And now, let’s take a look at the song list:
Tracklist of Il Volo Sings Morricone
1. The Ecstasy of Gold (from “Il Buono, Il Brutto, Il Cattivo”) 2. Your Love (from “C’era una volta il West”) 3. Nella fantasia feat. Andrea Griminelli (from “Mission”) 4. Metti una sera a cena (from “Metti una sera a cena”) 5. Se feat. HAUSER (from “Cinema Paradiso”) 6. La Califfa feat. David Garrett (from “La Califfa”) 7. Conradiana (from “Nostromo”) 8. E più ti penso (from “C’era una volta in America/ Malèna”) 9. Se telefonando 10. Come Sail Away feat. Chris Botti 11. Would He Even No Me Know? (from “Cinema Paradiso”) 12. Amalia por amor 13. Here’s To You (from “Sacco & Vanzetti”) 14. I colori dell’amore
They are all beautiful songs, but let’s take a step by step look.
First of all I see that there are several very good musicians who will perform some music that our kids will sing.
Here in fact:
ANDREA GRIMINELLI , the good Italian flutist, whom we already met during the concert, he will perform the piece n.3
STJEPAN HAUSER, the good Croatian cellist, (he is part of the 2 cellos), who will perform the piece n.5.
DAVID GARRET, the good German violinist, will perform the piece n.6.
CHRIS BOTTI, the good American trumpeter, will perform the piece n.10.
…… I would say 4 stars of musicians, who come from different places and countries.
I like this.😉
And now let’s read all the titles of the songs, and immediately we discover that:
LA CALIFFA (6)
COME SAIL AWAY (10)
WOULD HE EVEN NO ME KNOW? (11)
AMALIA POR AMOR (12)
were not heard in the concert, so they’re new songs for us.
What can I say, the other songs I heard in concert and they were magnificent.
Who knows what will be the pieces that Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca will perform as soloists, as they usually do.
Furthermore, rumors say that soon, before the release of the CD, the new video will be online !!
I cannot wait to see the new video, and to hear the new CD.☺❤
And now a little news of the last moment, today Saturday 9 October, at 14:00 (Italian time), Il Volo was interviewed by a journalist.
Here’s the news:
“Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble, members of Il Volo, will tell Andrea Spinelli, music critic of QN Quotidiano Nazionale, the emotion of having been the protagonists of the first great post-pandemic live event, the concert dedicated to Maestro Ennio Morricone audience champion also on Rai1.”
Many of you, in the comments after the various articles on the Verona concert, asked me for the opinion of the press. I have not forgotten about this and therefore here I am giving you my opinion.
I want it to be clear, that it is only my personal opinion, maybe I am too protective, towards Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, or maybe, like a mother, I want the best for them, because I think they deserve it, and therefore also this time, I was disappointed with the reviews in the press, or rather, I was half satisfied, but I certainly expected more.
Let’s start from the fact, that the concert was magnificent and you have all been able to see it.
The television ratings have absolutely rewarded the concert, they had the maximum ratings of the evening, therefore a real success.
The next day, it was Sunday, but I expected that the newspapers and television news, at least those of RAI, would write or say a few words of congratulations.
Those few newspapers that reported the news, did it purely as a news item, “Il Volo had the best ratings”, no compliments to the three boys.
On the Sunday after the concert, I watched the RAI news and also all the entertainment shows that also report the news of the various shows.
NOTHING, no one has talked about it, nor in the news, not even in the gossip broadcasts.
BIG DISAPPOINTMENT.
Here are some of the articles, of which I will translate the best parts.
The music has restarted and it has done so in a big way with a show that is not only musical. Starring Ignazio Boschetto, Piero Barone and Gianluca Ginoble who, in the unprecedented role also of conductors of the evening, led the spectators and viewers of Rai 1 in an evening dedicated to sharing. Il Volo, Tribute to Ennio Morricone had the merit of turning the lights back on to music.
The opening on the notes of Ecstasy of Gold, the main piece of the soundtrack of Once Upon a Time in the West, was exciting.
Two and a half hours of music, memories and emotions in a journey not only linked to the figure of the Maestro, but which fits perfectly with the musical journey undertaken over the years by the three boys, increasingly careful to bring excellence around the world of our country.
Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca then retraced their 12-year career, with significant images and with the performance on the notes of ‘O Sole Mio, a song they sang as children, and Grande Amore, the piece with which they triumphed at the Festival of Sanremo 2015.
Music is sharing and it certainly cannot save the world, but it certainly has the merit of making it more enjoyable. Especially after the terrible year and a half in which we changed our perspective on the present and the future.
After a long season without concerts, live music officially resumes thanks to the concert held this evening, Saturday 5 June, in the splendid setting of the Verona Arena. Protagonists Gianluca Ginoble, Ignazio Boschetto and Piero Barone, the three souls and the three voices of Il Volo. Two and a half hours of beautiful music, a concert-tribute to the romantic and visionary genius of Ennio Morricone.
Broadcast live on Rai Uno, the event certainly did not disappoint expectations.
In the lineup some of the most beautiful songs already interpreted in the past by the trio ….. Inevitable some of the themes composed by Ennio Morricone for the cinema … national pop scene …. Finally, from the very first listening, the unpublished “I Colori dell’amore” (The Colors of Love), signed for the occasion by Maestro Andrea Morricone, a particularly suggestive piece, crowning an unforgettable evening. We start again … we start again in a great way.
People, as many people as they have not seen in the same place for a long time. With the masks, the right distances ……. the music has started again, the Verona Arena has been granted to a few thousand people who have been excited for almost three hours together with Il Volo which paid homage to the teacher Ennio Morricone. A perfect evening for climate, program and joy, to the point of (almost) forgetting the waiting time “justified” by television times ….. an evening that will go down in history.
Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio start with Ecstasy of Gold, the theme of The Good, the Ugy and the Bad by Sergio Leone. Then a few words, presented Andrea Morricone ………. who will conduct the orchestra in some pieces during the evening. One is Your Love …….. the three artists remember when, in 2016, they participated in the tribute evening to the three tenors Pavarotti-Domingo-Carreras. The composition cannot be anything but the Nessun Dorma and the execution is thrilling; the orchestra, directed by Maestro Marcello Rota, and the choir the latter arranged as tradition dictates in front of the stage, immense …………… The colors of love is the piece created for Il Volo by Andrea Morricone followed, for the last standing ovation, by Libiamo ne ‘lieti calici, aria from La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi and the reprise of Estasi Dell’Oro. With a dedication to the people that Covid has taken away and a thought to Vito, Ignazio Boschetto’s father who died last March, the circle closes, the music remains in the air. And, I’m sure, people are finally smiling under themasks.
Il Volo-Tribute to Ennio Morricone: success for the concert that bewitched the audience.
… aired on Rai1 last night live from the Verona Arena, it won the prime time with a 25% share, winning 4,702,000 viewers.
…… The exclusive concert-event of the international trio Il Volo, in honor of Maestro Ennio Morricone, saw Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca alternate conducting, accompanied by Marco Giallini and Laura Chiatti. The Filarmonia Veneta Regional Orchestra was conducted by Maestro Marcello Rota, with special participation in some pieces by Maestro Andrea Morricone.
The event, which also marked the reopening of the Verona Arena’s musical season, lasted over two hours, winning one standing ovation after another from the audience present at the Arena.
Certainly these are all positive articles, but they are few and moreover from minor newspapers, certainly not those that, after Notte Magica, have really said very badly about them.
But one yes, I had a great satisfaction reading IL FATTO QUOTIDIANO.
This newspaper had written very badly after Notte Magica, using titles like this: ”Il Volo on Canale 5, the great opera scam: we hope that people will keep them abroad, so, at least for a while, we get rid of them”.
The three tenors have returned to live music for the only concert scheduled for this year. The Verona Arena was sold out with a Covid capacity of 6 thousand people to applaud the most famous arias of Maestro Morricone and the many guests on stage. Emotion for a special dedication to Ignazio’s father that Piero Barone made at the end of the show.
The challenge was twofold. The great return to prime time live on Rai Uno and all three alone to conduct, without any intermediary. The result of “Il Volo – Tribute to Ennio Morricone”? In front of the screen last night there were 4,702,000 viewers and 25.8% share. Excellent listening that rewarded an evening that was indeed the celebration of the great Maestro but also the story of Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble, their story between anecdotes and songs from their repertoire included in the lineup. The event was organized in full compliance with anti Covid-19 guidelines and protocols.
……………Excited, the three tenors dedicated the event “to the people who didn’t make it. Our thoughts go up there to them.” Piero then added: “This concert is dedicated to Vito who we miss so much and is watching us from up there.” That is, Ignazio’s father who died of an illness on February 28th. The concert will be broadcast in the United States by the PBS network. Il Volo will return to America next year for a series of concerts, while the Morricone tribute album will be released later this year and will be sold all over the world.
But the journalists who had written so badly about Il Volo after Notte Magica, where did they go?
What happened to them??? This time they didn’t write anything bad, but not only that, they didn’t write anything at all, as if the event hadn’t happened.
And then the articles that I first translated are beautiful, but there is no direct compliment to the boys, nothing that says about their personal growth, artistic maturation, praise to their voices.
The only really beautiful article, no ifs and buts, is the one published by VANITY FAIR, really well written, you understand that whoever wrote it was really present and experienced the emotions of that concert.
The Arena di Verona reopens its doors to music starting from Il Volo with a show in honor of Ennio Morricone, live on Rai Uno. We stayed with them in Verona.
Months of closed doors, silence. The Verona Arena turns the lights back on and lets the music play, starting with Il Volo – Tribute to Ennio Morricone, a concert event, in honor of the great Maestro. Broadcast live on Saturday 5th June on Rai Uno, it marks the great restart of the summer season of one of the most important places for Italian music.
It is a special evening. The three boys appear excited, after days of rehearsals, which ended at two in the morning the night before.
A show prepared in detail, where for the first time the two tenors and the baritone also play the role of television hosts but choose not to read the hunchback, in order to be more free to be themselves. The difference can be seen, after a somewhat rigid start in the spoken parts, when they finally break up joking with each other. It is their beauty. Serious and composed as they sing, they appear much more fun (and entertained) if they let themselves go to their dynamics of colleagues (and especially friends) who have been working together for the past 12 years. Instead, no hesitation in the sung parts, from the first note of Your Love, the song that opens the concert, among the images of the film Once upon a time in the west. They show once again, in this first concert after a year and a half of stoppage which for them is also the first live television broadcast, that they are professionals able to fill the sky of Verona with three powerful voices that fit together perfectly and excite an audience that stands up many times, in continuous standing ovations, demonstrating great participation and emotion to the three protagonists.
“These have been difficult days for us. We’ve been thinking about doing a live broadcast for a long time, but we’ve always wanted to wait, we didn’t think we were ready. Today we want to send a message to young people. Never give up on your dreams. Because we didn’t do it,” says Ignatius, just as one of their dreams comes true.
…………It is their only 2021 concert in Italy and is also broadcast in the United States by the PBS network. “The best thing is to see so many people working on this event,” they say. And with them there are also the dancers, as if to emphasize that the art that must start again also passes through dance.
………….What you don’t see on TV are the ladies in the front rows waving to greet them or the people outside the Arena listening. The greetings of the three, when they are not framed and the words during the advertising blacks. There are also many foreigners who have come from abroad to attend the show. “We have experienced shortcomings and distances. There are those who have had great losses and those who have great satisfaction. We are dedicating this concert to people who have not made it. Our thoughts go up there to them,” says Ignatius. And among them there is also his father Vito, who died suddenly in March. “This concert is dedicated to Vito who we miss so much and is watching us from up there,” says Piero at the end, in a moment that becomes very emotional but which again leaves room for the professionalism of three friends who support each other. And so, while Ignazio sings perhaps at his best, the hands of Gianluca, visibly moved, look for his, to support him, in the most difficult, but also the most exciting, moment of the whole show.
They show their nuances, especially when they go on stage alone. Gianluca sings Your Song by Elton John showing his more pop side, dedicating the song to his mother, sitting in the front row. Piero, with Andrea Griminelli on flute, No puede ser nueva and Ignazio Listen accompanied by an eight and a half year old boy, Julian Iorio, on saxophone.
The tribute to the maestro therefore also goes through great songs such as Volare, My Way, O sole mio. And there is also Grande Amore, the song with which they won in 2015 at the Sanremo Festival. At the end they thank them, they dedicate an encore to the cameras off to the standing audience, they hope they enjoyed the show «We were very anxious. But we gave everything .
In their future there is now a period of rest. One more day in Verona and then everyone at home, waiting to be able to leave for a tour in 2022 that they hope will keep them busy for at least two years. Before then, however, a new disc for Sony Music, which will be this tribute to the maestro and which will arrive after the summer. “After a year and a half you gave us oxygen,” they tell the audience. And the public too, it is evident, has breathed this evening.
Of course, other newspapers have reported good comments, but they are publications linked to them by friendship, such as Il Resto Del Carlino (newspaper of Bologna) or the newspapers of Abruzzo and Sicily, even the newspaper of the Arena, but there was no doubt that they wrote well of Il Volo.
Mute scene, however on the part of all the television programs, nobody talked about it.
In short, I was satisfied because there were no obvious “attacks” on our boys, but I’m not thrilled with what was written.
I repeat, maybe it is my feeling, but I would have liked more, for so much work, so much art, so much beauty, which Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca have certainly been able to give us.
Here I am, with the second part of the concert step by step, this is exactly what I saw and heard on that beautiful evening of June 5th.
I had already written all this part, reaching the end of the concert, but due to a wrong movement, everything was deleted, and so I had to rewrite everything and, in order not to waste too much time, I preferred to redo up to the song VOLARE, and then there will be a third part.
I hope this does not bore you, also because in the third part I will tell you some things that you cannot see from the video, but that have happened.
So we were left at the first advertising break after the song METTI UNA SERA A CENA …….
(Francesca Brazzale ‘s photo)
The concert begins again.
Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca have changed the men’s suit. Now they wear a blue D & G suit with a double-breasted jacket and under the jacket, a midnight blue silk polo shirt. A less formal elegance than the first, but what can I say, a real treat for our eyes, always elegant and beautiful, our golden boys !!!❤❤❤
Start a beautiful song, which was the starting stone of IL VOLO. The boys sing O SOLE MIO.
During the song Piero and Ignazio run from one side of the stage to the other, to allow people on the steps to see them more closely. Really very kind and generous.
At this point there is a small exchange of words between the three boys who happily remember their physical appearance when they were little, Ignazio and Piero who were chubby and instead, with amazement they say that Gianluca is always the same, handsome as always and always with the same pose. 😁
Piero presents the next song and it is a “milestone” in the career of our boys.
Hearing the first tolls of the piano, we all think about Sanremo 2015 and the joy of victory.
We listen to the always beautiful GRANDE AMORE.
In these days, Francesco Boccia (author of Grande Amore), posted this comment and this video,
“Thanks to Il Volo for this wonderful concert, you are always my #grandeamore .❤️”
He has to be very proud, his song is known all over the world, and of course the audience gives another standing ovation.
From the left side of the stage, Marco Giallini is framed, reading the sad chronicle of the story of Sacco and Vanzetti.
I look at Giallini and I don’t realize that, to perform this song with beautiful lyrics by Joan Baez, the boys go down the corridors among the audience.
My husband tells me, “Did you see Piero who passed by you?” Damn, I was looking at Giallini and I didn’t see him !!
I turn and see Piero in the corridor next to me, he is turned from behind, just as Ignazio and Gianluca, in the other corridors, are ready for the RAI operator to frame them, as soon as Giallini has finished reading.
It is at this point that I see the scene of Piero helping the two elderly people to return to their places and which I have already described to you.
Immediately after, I start filming with my mobile phone, it is not well made but it gives you the feeling of how close Piero was to me.
Behind him you will notice “the hunchback”, where all the words scroll, even of the songs, but I know that the boys preferred not to read but to “go off the cuff” (improvise).
In the video you will also hear my voice “Bravo Piero”, but what a thrill, he was so close !!
The voices of the choir also lend solemnity to the moment: HERE’S TO YOU.
Small advertising moment.
The boys return to the stage accompanied by Giallini who talks about the beautiful film “Once upon a time in America,” by Sergio Leone. For this film Morricone made the soundtrack, and then Tony Renis composed the text for Il Volo which recorded it in 2010.
Beautiful song E PIÙ TI PENSO.
(Francesca Brazzale’s photo)
It’s time for solos.
Mamma mia, I’m excited, I don’t know what to expect, but I want to be amazed!
Very jokingly, the boys introduce the moment. Gianluca begins, explaining that this time he wants to pay homage to a great artist: Elton John, with the beautiful song written 51 years ago (yes Jo Ann it’s really true, I checked) YOUR SONG, which he lovingly dedicates to his mother who is in first row. Sweet Gian ❤
The arrangement of the song was done by maestro Melozzi, who wrote:
“Last night at the great concert of the reopening at the Arena di Verona there was also a piece of me. I am very happy with this arrangement of mine which has collected no less than 4 open stage applauses and a standing ovation. Bravo Gianluca! Long live Abruzzo.” (You will have understood that the master Melozzi is also from Abruzzo.)
The beautiful and velvety voice of Gianluca envelops us and we are on a very sweet cloud. What a beautiful interpretation, full of sentiment, a beautiful standing ovation for him!❤
The boys joke about who has to do the second solo and the next to perform is Piero.
He presents his “workhorse” NO PUEDE SER, this time accompanied by the flutist Andrea Griminelli.
Maestro Giampiero Grani (who always accompanies the guys on tour) wrote this comment:
“This is a photo I really care about, even if I’m not in the frame. The reason is that I wrote the part for the intervention of Andrea Griminelli, an international level musician (Pavarotti, Sting etc etc). He appreciated it, and a great collaboration was born! The satisfaction of writing notes and a talented musician improves what you thought!”
Bravo Piero, an interpretation that is always perfect and what acute, what power. Your voice becomes more and more powerful and we all have the feeling, during your high notes, that you make no effort to get it, you make it all sound so easy, but it isn’t. Bravo!
For him, a standing ovation. ❤
And we are at the last solo, Ignazio, immediately warns us that he will not be alone but accompanied by a talented little saxophonist: Julian Iorio.
Let’s dive into listening to the beautiful LISTEN.
What a great duo. Spectacular!
Julian you are a boy of only 8 and a half but how talented. Ignazio, fantastic, we all know about your soul soul, but you have pleasantly surprised us! Your interpretation wowed all us and your voice, oh what a voice!! Chills!
A standing ovation for both of them!
Ignazio is visibly satisfied and, at the end, he does Julian a funny little interview.
The moment of solos is over, but what a wonder of a moment of the highest level.
Multiple emotions have unleashed these three artists: amazement, admiration, wonder and so much love, because there is so much skill, so much talent, but also, and it shows, so much affection between them.
Congratulations to all!!!
Marco Giallini returns and explains that those who have seen the film Mission surely know the sad story of the Jesuits and the Guarany Indians.
Giallini explains that Morricone went to London to see the film that had already been edited. He told the director that his film was so beautiful, there was no need for his music, but the director insisted that he compose the backing track.
Morricone was inspired by the scenes of the film, where Father Gabriel, in the forest, to warn the Indians of his presence, played a rudimentary flute, moving his fingers at random over the holes. Morricone tried to interpret with the notes, the movements of those fingers and thus the beautiful music of GABRIEL’S OBOE was born.
Then the lyrics were composed and the song took the name of NELLA FANTASIA.
The scenarios completely change color, we are immersed in a lush forest, beautiful scenery, beautiful choreography, sweet music and the voices of our boys who imitate the way of singing of the Jesuits, all very beautiful and very mystical.
Here are the lyrics: NELLA FANTASIA
Nella fantasia io vedo un mondo giusto Lì tutti vivano in pace e in onestà Io sogno d’anime che sono sempre libere Come le nuvole che volano Pien d’umanità in fondo all’anima
Nella fantasia io vedo un mondo chiaro Lì anche la notte è meno oscura Io sogno d’anime che sono sempre libere Come le nuvole che volano Pien d’umanità
Nella fantasia esiste un vento caldo Che soffia sulle città, come amico Io sogno d’anime che sono sempre libere Come le nuvole che volano Pien d’umanità in fondo all’anima
In fantasy I see a just world Everyone there live in peace and honesty I dream of souls that are always free Like the clouds that fly Full of humanity at the bottom of the soul
In fantasy I see a clear world Even the night is less dark there I dream of souls that are always free Like the clouds that fly Full of humanity
In fantasy there is a warm wind Blowing over the cities, as a friend I dream of souls that are always free Like the clouds that fly Full of humanity at the bottom of the soul
The setting in the forest gives reason to Ignazio and Piero to talk and to thank Legambiente, a non-profit association that defends the green, and that has saved from degradation, one of the most beautiful beaches of Lampedusa (an island close to Sicily).
As Ignazio and Piero have mentioned Sicily, Gianluca takes the opportunity to greet all his friends from Abruzzo. Piero and Ignazio laugh because they expected this quality / defect of Gian !! 😁😁😁
Small commercial break.
The first notes of VOLARE begin, the beautiful song by Modugno.
I’m careful, because I know very well that the boys, during this song, go down in the audience, and the first one to go down is always Piero.
So my eyes follow him fixedly and in fact he goes down the corridor furthest from mine, but then at the first intersection, he doesn’t go straight on, he also forgets a couple of words of the song, but then he turns towards my position.
Damn, he’s coming towards me !!!
Ignazio urges people to sing with them, and people react immediately by singing.
Blue lights flood the Arena, it’s like being in a blue sky and we’re flying !!
(Francesca Brazzale’s photo)
Piero stops right next to me, to go high, people touch him and I say: “Bravo Piero”….
……Vooooolareeee,……. even Ignazio has reached him is very close to me…….oh oh.…… and with the microphone Ignazio turns towards me and all together ………….. cantare, oh oh oh oh.
Gian has arrived too and then all three quickly return to the stage, but what a thrill!!!
I filmed everything with my cell phone, it’s not great, but it gives you an idea of how close they were to me.
I’m still in awe of what happened right in front of me. Fantastic!
In this beautiful screen shot taken by RAI, you see exactly the moment when Piero and Ignazio are close to me. I am sitting behind Ignazio, completely covered by him.
But finally, thanks to this short and beautiful video by Francesca Brazzale, I can see myself, while I watch the whole scene, thanks Francesca.
Yes, I’m the one with the electric blue cardigan, in a slightly tilted position because I was filming with my cell phone. It was really exciting.🤗
Also, at the beginning of this video, you will have noticed that Ignazio goes to give a kiss on the forehead of his sister and not his mother, as I already told you. Of course we all know the strong bond of affection between Ignazio and Nina.❤
(Francesca Brazzale’s photo)
That’s all for now.
At this point of the concert, I was already fully satisfied, everything had been magnificent, but by now I know, with Il Volo, there is always so much more to discover, because they don’t spare themselves, until the last moment of the concert they donate more than they can, without ever stopping.
Get used to it, I’m going to use the word phenomenala lot in this article.
Let me say, I can write at least five pages just on the opening of the concert. If I wrote what I felt, saw, experienced in this concert, I would have to write a book!
Let’s set the scene!
The first note and we immediately know it’s “The Ecstasy of Gold.” The whistle of the wind!
The setting is gold! Then white! Then gold! Look at the gold flecks that come in and out! The orchestra vibrates! Each note intensifies our senses. We’re drawn to the back of the stage. To a tunnel where we know our guys will appear! The focus is always rear center stage! The lights change to intense red and now we are looking at the stage from the back of the arena. We are coming forward. The shadow of Il Volo turns into a force that is coming towards us! Thetheme of the concert is set!
Listen to the intensity of their voices! What force! Watch their motions. Look at Gianluca! Watch his body react to the music! The fist that comes at you saying this is the punch, just the beginning. Listen to how Ignazio rides the note that guides us into the story! Now we’re sailing on the wind! Piero intensifies the moment with his powerful voice that says the journey has begun!Follow us!
The scenery is in motion again.In the background, the movie comes into view and blends with the voices! Everything on the stage comes to life! We’re now inside the film. Even the guys are taken by the movement around them. They look around and they are feeling the moment! Andrea Morricone steps up the music and we step back and look, in amazement at what is before us!
What exactly is before us? A work of art! A Titian painting. In Venice there is a very magnificent painting by Titian called the Assumption. It is a painting in motion! Believe me, when I tell you what you are looking at on that stage is a Titian painting. Titian was known for his movement in painting! Titian was 24 years old when he painted the Assumption. Our guys are in their mid-twenties and they have painted the scene before you. If you don’t know the renaissance artist Titian, google him! You’ll understand what is going on here!
Now let me explain what is before you. Movement. Lots of movement.
Take a look at the stage! You the audience are the spectators! You’re being drawn to the stage. You watch the guys’ approach and, you are in awe of their presence. You feel the intensity of the music, you and the guys are pulled into the movie. The music is all around you! Their voices are a force in your head. You look up in amazement! You are a part of the scenery! You are a part of the orchestra! You are a part of the movie! You are a part of ~ Il Volo! You have arrived and you are ready to follow the guys no matter where this journey leads you! It’s only the beginning! Fasten your seat belts. Phenomenal!
In each set the scenery and the music all come together to form a symphony of color!
Now let’s listen to some very romantic songs! Even songs not geared towards romance are romantic when they are sung by our guys. Notes flowing through the air. Very ethereal, very light, very eerie, very romantic! Just so beautiful! Phenomenal!
“Your Love” is a very beautiful love song. This is a song we are emotionally attached to. It will always be a part of our lives. If you saw the guys’ performance at Sanremo 2021, you know what I mean! In Sanremo the guys, especially Ignazio, were in shock. They were experiencing something they never experienced before. The loss of one of their own! Yet, they delivered this song with such dignity and emotion that it will always be a special moment in our lives. We will long remember it. In this tribute they reminded us of Sanremo but in a bittersweet way. It is an emotional feeling that is a mixture of happiness for where we are and sadness for where we came from. This will become a signature song. The guys will come back to it and we will expect them to.
The song we will always love!
“Se Telefonando!” Both Laura Chiatti and Ignazio said: ”From three notes one of the most beautiful songs of our century was born.” And I couldn’t agree with them more. What a magnificent song! Just Phenomenal!
The three notes are from the sound of a police car siren and when they are played, they are immediately recognized. This seems to be a signature with Ennio Morricone. Think of “The Ecstasy of Gold” and “Cinema Paradiso!” These are songs that are recognized with one or two notes of the song. The guys put such love and emotion into “Se Telefonando.” I think they fell in love with it! I know I did. This will be the song that I take away from this concert that will always lead me back to the concert and the history that was made that night. The song is about love being born fast and being lost before it has a chance to begin.
And how do the fans feel about this song? Everyone, everywhere on Instagram and Facebook posted this song and commented about the beauty of it.
Now let’s talk about “Cinema Paradiso.”
Again, from the first note, we recognize this song! It takes us back to a time, just after World War II, when cinema was beginning to make its impact in Italy! How the guys present this song, accompanied by the strings of a romantic guitar is why this song pierces our hearts and impacts us in this amazing way.
They present love in a different light. This song tells of a first love for Totò. His love for a local Sicilian girl. But it also speaks of his love for film. Totò takes over Alfredo’s job as projectionist. Alfredo knows how much Totò loves film and he convinces him to leave his small town and follow his dream to become a filmmaker.
This song sings of two loves. A romantic first love and a love of film. It is a very romantic love song! Listen to some of the words, they could just as easily apply to love of a woman as to love of film.
“If you were in my soul one day you would know what I feel in me that I’m enamored over those instants together with you and what I feel is solely love!”
Beautiful song, delivered, in aPhenomenalway!
And then there was “I Colori dell’amore” a beautiful unreleased piece. A special gift from the Morricone family.
Piero said: “To the whole orchestra and to the organization, really fantastic! Thank you very much, thank you very much teacher! The teacher wrote the song for us. We present it to you this evening and we hope you like it ~ “I Colori dell’amore.”
These are just a few words from the song.
You will come back next to me You will undress inside me And you will relive the time of a reality with me They are the colors of love of passion and freedom in hand a flower and then two moments of us pictures from a movie ageless moments
The guys bring light and beauty to this song. Very romantic voices singing a very romantic song! Very sensitive! Very Phenomenal!
Let’s move on!
As you know the guys make decisions about where and how a song is presented. Their decision to do “Here’s to You,” in the audience had a lot of significance. We are used to having the guys in and out of the audience, interacting with the fans but, this was not possible at this concert. But the guys made sure the audience would feel their presence, so they chose a very sincere, very personal song to share their time with the fans.
To explain this, let me start by presenting the meaning of the song. From Marco Gallini’s explanation and from my story last week you know Sacco and Vanzietti were executed for a crime that many believed they did not commit. But what you don’t know is why they were accused of this crime. To understand this, we have to go back to America at the turn of the 20th century. Each group of immigrants that came to America experienced prejudice by the former immigrants. Therefore, the Irish were prejudiced against the Italians and the Germans against Irish before them and so on back to the beginning of immigration.
After a few hours deliberation, the jury convicted Sacco and Vanzetti of first-degree murder. Anti-Italianism, anti-immigrant, and anti-Anarchist bias were suspected as having heavily influenced the verdict.
Back to the guys and where all this fits into their story.
By performing this song in the audience, the guys were first and foremost toasting Nicola and Bart but more so, they were three links which represented the people who stood in defense of Nicola and Bart. They told them they would not be forgotten and the crowd, the audience, stood with them.
Now the irony of it all!
This song was composed by an Italian composer for an American movie and, it was written in the English language.
The song was sung, in English, by three phenomenalItalian men who came to America and immediately became a success. The American people embraced them and called them their own. We feel they are a part of us and a part of our culture. You have to see the irony in this!
Now let’s turn to the showstoppers! The solos!
First up, Gianluca!
Gianluca remarks: “It’s hard to be alone after twelve years together on stage. I guess like all of us in times of difficulty, in moments of happiness, I take refuge in music. This is something I’ve done since I was little. I had headphones, I walked, I also went to the park to listen to music. Even at school I was distracted. In short it was my biggest distraction. Let’s say the music I feel this evening is a celebration of a great genius of music Maestro Ennio Morricone. But I want to talk about other geniuses who changed my life. Artist like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra but also the great Elton John. Tonight, I will sing for you one of the most beautiful songs written in fifty-one years and I want to dedicate it to my mother.”
Elton Johns’ lyrics to “Your Song” express the romantic thoughts of an innocent person. Gianluca brings the song to another dimension. He is very romantic and everything he sings turns into a love song. His warm beautiful voice expresses the thoughts behind Elton Johns’ words. Here are just a few words to the song.
And you can tell everybody this is your song It may be quite simple, but now that it’s done I hope you don’t mind, I hope you don’t mind That I put down in words How wonderful life is while you’re in the world
These beautiful words certainly express his feelings for his mother, Eleonora, who has been at his side throughout his career.
His beautiful rendition of this song would make Elton John praise his performance. Gianluca got a well-deserved standing ovation! Just phenomenal!
Next up Piero!
Piero said: “I always had a great desire to be accompanied by a great musician, a great flautist. I’ve always watched his videos while playing alongside Maestro Pavarotti, Sting and many other artists. This evening, he did me the great honor of accepting my invitation. The Master Andrea Grimmenelli.”
What can I say about Piero singing “No Puede Ser?” It’s my favorite aria that he sings. He takes my breath away. No one, and I have heard many tenors sing “No Puede Ser,” no one sings it like Piero.
These are just a few words of the aria, in English. They really express the meaning of the song. Piero makes you feel his love for this woman.
It cannot be so! This woman is good. She cannot be a wicked woman! In her look, like a strange light, I’ve seen that this woman is unhappy. She cannot be a cheap siren who poisoned every moment of my life. It cannot be so! Because I’ve seen her pray, because I’ve seen her love, because I’ve seen her cry!
Always a showstopper, always a highlight, a splendid moment in the concert. Please never stop singing it. APhenomenalperformance!
And last but, not least Ignazio!
Ignazio said: “I want to say that tonight is extremely exciting and, we all know in this year that we have experienced shortcomings. Especially shortcomings!
Many had great losses but many who had great satisfaction economically modify this concert. To all the people who have not made it through the whole year, our thoughts go up there to them.
I feel a little alone, but I will not be alone. I have a big but small surprise that is great because it is a crazy talent. It is really a great talent. Gentlemen and ladies, ladies and gentlemen my comparative accompaniment in this my performance – Julian.”
Ignazio sings Beyonce’s beautiful song “Listen.” It’s a song that expresses how many people are feeling. These are just a few words to the song.
Listen. I am alone at a crossroads I’m not at home in my own home And I’ve tried and tried To say what’s on my mind You should have known, oh Now I’m done believin’ you You don’t know what I’m feelin’ I’m more than what You’ve made of me I followed the voice you gave to me But now I’ve gotta find my own!
Yes, it’s time to find our own voices. Ignazio knocks it out of the box with this song. His voice goes to unreal heights. Not only does he express how we are all feeling but he gives us a beautiful version of the song that fills our souls with emotion. And, little Julian adds to the moment with his Phenomenal saxophone accompaniment. As I said before, guys, Julian is all of you at 8 years old. Now you know how people felt when they experienced your voices at such a young age!
Ignazio we always Listen to you and, we wish we could feel what you feel in your heart! You and Julian made a Phenomenal team!
What an ending!
And so, we come to the end of the concert and Piero’s closing words!
“I need to say an important thing. This concert was dedicated to Vito who we really miss and is watching us from up there.”
The dedication of “Conradiana” to Vito, Ignazio’s dad is very touching, very emotional and it certainly touched the heart of Ignazio and his brothers Piero and Gianluca, and I know it also touched our hearts. Their eyes said more than words. And the beautiful exchange when Ignazio looked into the audience at his mother, Caterina and his sister, Nina. His eyes said it all!
These are some of the words to this beautiful song.
Beyond the horizon a sea of oblivion You wander among the waves you get lost in the scroll Heart of darkness life is gone away Rock the ocean with a sad joy. Spaces beyond the sea search for a way Clear open sails among clouds of mist Heart of darkness life is gone away Rock the ocean with a sad joy.
A very touching ending to a spectacular concert! Just Phenomenal!
I usually end here but, this week I can’t. As I said in the beginning, I could write a book about this concert! The feeling I got when I watched this concert, was indescribable! Thank you, guys for these magic moments!
Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!
I’m still stunned by all the beauty I saw last night.
A stratospheric concert, wonderful voices, rested and powerful, beautiful music, spectacular sets, all like a fairy tale.
It was not a “Magic Night”, it was a “Starry Night”, because Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca are three stars that shine with a wonderful light, and when they are combined the result is simply spectacular.
Three beautiful and elegant young men bewitched and delighted the whole audience.
In my ears I still have their beautiful voices and my eyes still see everything that last night was unique and unforgettable.
I tell you right away that they did not allow us to enter the Arena with the camera, so I could not take videos or beautiful photos, I could only use my mobile.
But RAI1 has re-taken everything (filmed it all) and who better than them? I hope you all can see it as it will be a truly rewarding experience.
Click the photo below to view the concert.
There were 23 beautiful songs, some already known because they are part of the repertoire of Il Volo and many new for us and one completely unpublished.
Now let’s go over with some nice fan videos (not done by me), and some of my comments.
The preview begins with a joke with Marco Giallini, where Ignazio jokes saying that his shoes are very bad and Giallini tells him that he took them out of wood !!
Click the photo below to view the Anteprima.
The start was truly overwhelming with “The Ecstasy of Gold – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”. Wonder!! A spectacular start !!
THE ECSTASY OF GOLD. THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
Then they sang a beautiful YOUR LOVE, from the film Once Upon a Time in the West.
and then, remembering Notte Magica of 2017, NESSUN DORMA.
At this point a beautiful Italian actress enters: Laura Chiatti, whom Piero and Gianluca call “muse” and whom Ignazio calls “picciotta” (in Sicilian: young girl)
So a good pop song, also set to music by Morricone: SE TELEFONANDO.
The show continues with the introduction of IL MONDO, halfway through the song a guest enters, a famous Italian singer-songwriter (he also wrote Notre Dame De Paris): Riccardo Cocciante.
Then he will sing one of his songs to music by Morricone: “When a Love Ends”.
It starts again with another music from the film, NUOVO CINEMA PARADISO, at the end of the song there will be a small exchange between our kids and Salvatore Cascio, the child, now adult, of Nuovo Cinema Paradiso.
Two other guests, Raphael Gualazzi on the piano and Nina Zilli, who together with Il Volo perform the beautiful song from the film METTI UNA SERA A CENA.
Something from the repertoire of our boys, but which we always listen to very willingly:
O SOLE MIO and GRANDE AMORE
Back to Morricone’s film music: SACCO E VANZETTI, preceded by a reading of the story of the two unfortunate Italian immigrants, read by Giallini.
While Giallini was reading the story, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca went down the corridors among the audience, to sing from that position. Piero was in the central corridor, just that close to me. I want to describe what I saw and that made me extremely happy.
Piero was in the corridor, but further ahead of my seat (farther from the stage) and I had to turn around to see him, he was with his back to me. RAI was in front of Piero for the video shoot, but at that moment Piero was not filmed.
He was hot, he was sweating and an assistant came over to wipe his forehead and then walked away from him. At that moment two elderly people, who had perhaps gone to the bathroom, were returning to their seats, which were right next to where Piero was. The man was old, large, and walked laboriously with a cane, supported by his wife. It was clear that if the TV shooting started, they were right in the middle, so Piero, who was already ready, began to call the assistant in a low voice to tell him to solve the situation, but that assistant was far away and did not hear and therefore Piero, seeing that the man was having a hard time getting into his seat, he went to him, held his seat in place, and helped him to and enter his row.
Despite the live TV, Piero was kind and thoughtful to this person, I don’t know how many artists would have done the same. Very good Piero !!
After Sacco and Vanzetti, they sang E PIÙ TI PENSO from Once Upon a time in America.
We are at the moment of the three beautiful singles.
Gianluca begins who amazes us with a beautiful song by Elton John written 51 years ago: YOUR SONG.
Gianluca dedicates the song to his mother.
Piero continues with the beautiful NO PUEDE SER accompanied by the flutist Andrea Griminelli.
And so Ignazio concludes with a wonderful LISTEN performed in the company of Julian Iorio who is only 8 years old.
A little, sweet interview with Julian at the end of the song.
I = Julian, you have been very good, but how old are you?
J = Thanks. 8 and a half years.
I = And where are you from?
J = From Fregene (locality near Rome)
I = Are you passionate about music?
J = A lot.
I = Where do you go after the concert?
J = I don’t know.
I = Aren’t you going home?
J = Yes, I’m going home. Tomorrow I wake up, make the trip and go home.
I = But in how many hours?
J = When we arrived it took us 6 hours, and I don’t know to go back.
I = Sure, it depends on the traffic, (laughter) Thanks a lot !!
J = You’re welcome.
I = Julian Iorio
Let’s go back to film music and continue with the beautiful GABRIEL’S OBOE, taken from MISSION.
And now a song that is part of our boys NEL BLU DIPINTO DI BLU.
In the middle of the song, when the boys descended into the audience, Ignazio approached his mother and gave her a kiss on the forehead. ❤
At this moment Piero was close to me doing the high pitch, you can see me sitting next to Piero, wearing an electric blue jacket. I made the photo, Piero, Ignazio were really close.
Below, Il Volo performs UN AMORE COSÌ GRANDE and MY WAY.
A beautiful unpublished song follows, an absolute first, I like it very much and I really hope to hear it many times, written by Andrea Morricone, I COLORI DELL’AMORE:
We have reached the end of the concert. The song with which it all ends is taken from the opera La Traviata: LIBIAM DE LIETI CALICI.
And so the concert ends, but before leaving us the boys tell us that after the finale there will be a surprise.
In fact after the applause Il Volo returns and makes a beautiful and moving dedication.
It is a very touching moment, because Ignazio begins by dedicating the song to all those who in this long period have lost so many loved ones.
Piero goes on to say that this concert was dedicated to Vito Boschetto who they all miss a lot. After the announcement was made, you could see Gianluca and Piero biting at their lips trying to hold back their emotions for their dear friend, Ignazio. There are some very touching moments of support and hug to Ignazio by Piero and Gianluca. Really very moving.
Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca perform CONRADIANA a beautiful song written by Bocelli and Morricone.
Thunderous applause and standing ovations. The concert is over and the TV shoot is over. Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio greet us and leave the stage.
People don’t go away, everyone stands all ahead, everyone murmurs BIS (BIS means we still want a song) and so the boys come back and, just for us, audience, they perform THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY, taking off their jackets and saying goodbye for the last time. A short piece.
A memorable evening.
Perfect performances, formidable guys and full of affectionate gestures towards each other. Incredible.
Both live and home audiences poured out all the love for these young men.
It goes without saying that the concert in RAI had the highest ratings.
For now, the comments of the press are few (today is Sunday) but good.
I want to conclude with a beautiful comment by a well-known Italian singer Rita Pavone.
Yesterday I saw the concert of the Tribute to Ennio Morricone aside of IL VOLO. Well, folks, there’s none for anyone! (This expression means that they are the best and there is none better than them!) Those three guys are sensational, they’re great. They face lyrical and pop arias, two worlds light years away, with a totally different setting and register voice but managing to be just as credible as to leave the listener amazed.
The “Listen” by Ignazio Boschetto, with the contribution of the very talented Julian – it is really true that talents are born! An 8 year old boy who plays the sax like a new John Coltrane but with the look and grit of a Lisa Simpson -, he was a real punch in the stomach for all those, myself included, who would never have imagined how much soul there is in that voice. I knew instead of this vocal duplicity in Gianluca Ginoble, because I had already had the opportunity to listen to him some time ago in some pop songs, but his version of “Your Song” last night was so beautiful that if there had been Elton John in the room, he would be the first to stand up and applaud. The opera singer par excellence, on the other hand, remains Piero Barone, whose ease in taking the highest notes and the most difficult treble notes is for him like drinking a glass of water.
What to say ? That we just have to be proud of having similar talents who bear the name of Italy in the world. And whoever says the opposite either does not understand anything about music, or is in bad faith, or is envious.
I know that in this project, the choices were completely made by our three treasures. This shows their artistic maturity, as well as physical – they are young but with a lot of common sense and good taste !! But we already knew it!
I was there, it was unforgettable: Daniela❤❤❤
Here are some of my photos.
With Deborah Georgini Beaupre
Before the concert, during the connection with the TG
Torpedine
Credit to owners of all photos and videos.
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
