All photo’s from the Detroit “We Are Love” Concert
Why are they so different from other singers? Ruth (Ruth Rapp), believes it because “Music speaks to that place within us that matters the most, and nobody understands that better than Il Volo.”
So, that’s why we listen.
Why did we fall for them so completely? Mary B (Mary Bohling) thinks it’s because “With our Boys what you see is what you get.”
So, that’s why we hang on every word they print.
How do they make us feel?
Well, “The thought of them warms the heart on a cold winters night”, says Jane (maryjane56).
So, that’s one reason we love them.
Do they even have healing power? Laura (Laura Lee Badtke) thinks so, “…listening to my boys is the best medicine ever.”
So, that’s why we share their music with others.
Can it be simply said?
Sure, Myron (Myron Heaton) can, “What music, what heart, what soul.”
So, that’s why we’ll be fans, forever!
What if we dare miss a concert?
“I am still pained by missing them..last summer. There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth on that situation.” I feel Connie‘s (Piratesorka’s) pain.
So, that’s why we patiently (?) wait for a new concert schedule.
What do we want?
You’re right Loretta (Loretta Foley), Boys, “Enjoy your time at home and rest sweethearts, we are waiting with open arms for your return.”
So, that’s why we wait some more!
What about the friends we’ve gained? Carol (CaroljB) says, “It’s as though we’re many hearts, but one soul joining with them.”
So, that’s what they have allowed us to be.
Could they even be ambassadors?
According to mlla they are, “They revive peoples interest in Italian art, music, landscaping, historic sites, etc.”
So, that’s why we’re so interested in all they do.
I think we give our hearts because they have heart, they have faith in themselves and they have us.
And when they come back, to quote our Helen (Helen, oh you know), it will be the “Beautiful Spring of the Boys Return.”
I met Lisa (Lijoy) in Pittsburgh, at the Heinz Hall, on 9/11/13. The We Are Love Concert had just ended and we were standing in our respective isle’s waiting to file out with everyone. We began talking about what had just happened, and stood there a little longer. I invited her here and, fortunately, she’s been with us ever since. I was looking at her blog recently and came across this piece. I fell hard for it and asked her if I could share it with all of you. She consented. ~Marie
The Power, The Passion, and The Joy December 12, 2013
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I have done the unthinkable! I have fallen in love. Sigh! It really didn’t take long, which has both surprised and troubled me greatly. Demon exorcism begins now!
I haven’t posted on the blog for a while as I struggled with a lot of things in my life. My constant trio of complaints, work, weight, and family dynamics continue to plague my existence. Patience, they say, is a virtue. They, whoever they are, also say to be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. Hmmm! I have been praying for patience for a very long time. Maybe some of the situations I find myself in are the result of not having enough patience. Although family and friends say teaching 13 and 14 year old students prove that I have tons of patience. For children, yes, for adults, it is in short supply.
The more time I spend talking to people around the world, the more I realize we are all broken people. Some of us cope better than others, but everyone has a story to tell. While conducting a one-sided conversation, can it really be called a conversation if the other person never contributes-just a thought, I was reminded of some of the music and artists of my youth. Have to smile here because they were actually artists of my mother’s youth in the fifties and sixties, I just love their sound and never embraced the music of my generation. You know the artists I truly adore. Think Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Etta James, who was part of that one-sided conversation, Al Jarreau, Miles Davis, and Louis Armstrong to name a few.
The PowerThe PassionThe Joy
What does any of the above have to do with the title of this blog? Absolutely positively nothing and everything! The three words in the title are apt adjectives for my newest classically and Italianally life passion, Il Volo. The Power-Piero Barone, classical tenor whose very being oozes sexy. The Passion-Gianluca Ginoble, gifted baritone who is the definition of fiery elegance. Finally, The Joy-Ignazio Boschetto, lyrical tenor whose smile and love of life are infectious. You may have met them before in previous accounts, but if not, give a look and listen. They have truly taken over my waking and sleeping. After seeing them in concert on September 11, I could not get enough. Bought every CD even the Spanish language ones, I don’t speak Spanish. Several weeks later, having finished the N. American/Canada Tour, the boys moved south of the border to Latin America. Thank God for Google translate. But a new problem arose, different time zones. Never one to enjoy the daytime, even as a young child, nocturnal living is very appealing. This circumstance fed right into my vampirism. Try following you favorite group when they keep musicians hours with a six hour time difference. Living on two hours of sleep a day for weeks at a time can be dangerous, not necessarily for me, but for others. Lack of sleep sharpens my tongue and turns off the filter from my brain to my mouth. I have a tendency to say what is on my mind regardless of the subject or object. There are many positive things that I have gained from falling in love, which outweigh any negative consequences.
What is utterly mind-blowing are the people I have met from all over the world. Close to home we have Jackie, Marie, Kelly, Lavina, Caroline, Charlene, Ellen, Donna, Judy, Mary, Claire, Joanie, Beverly, Janis, and a whole posse from Miami. There are countless others, too numerous to name. But I still need to acknowledge the International contingent of Athena, Suzana, Hazel and many others from Spain, Brazil, Philippines, England and Latin American countries. Whew! So many wonderful, loving, and passionate people. Doesn’t matter the time of day or night, someone is available to lend an ear or share memories. Two of my newest Twitter buddies are recording artists and musicians Iliana and Paul Eastham. Three young Italian singers have enriched and opened my world in ways that just amaze me.
Can any three people be more different but still live, work, and sing in such harmony? Piero, Gianluca, and Ignazio often use the phrase, “Three voices, One soul” to describe themselves. Young bodies of 18, 19, and 20 years old, but old beautiful, compassionate souls. It is often difficult to describe the trio and an infinitely more eye-opening experience to see and hear them for yourself.
Aren’t they just adorable? I have so much more to say, but have decided this will be Part 1-A Short Introduction to The Power, The Passion, and The Joy. How many more to follow is anyone’s guess.
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Thank you Lisa, for allowing us to experience this lovely, intimate narrative.
Please enjoy another of Myron’s reviews. He will also give us an overall review of this years Il Volo concert season in a few days. Thanks Myron. ~Marie
This is a tale of another partial concert. I seem to be pestered with those things. I did see Il Volo in L.A. at the Grove shopping center yesterday, Sunday, Nov. 17 – thank goodness. However, I did not see the entire program. I had promised to get a friend to the LA airport for a late “red-eye” flight, so we left at the time the program was to finish – 9:30. Only trouble – it was not finished yet. I had been told that Il Volo was to sing a second song later but could not stay for it. I did see the song that they did early in the show. Here is a short run-down.
This was a taping for television which meant that when something goes wrong they start over again until it gets right. First up – Mary J. Blige. I know her and she is a fine musician but that was not a good night for her. She sang “Favorite things” from the Sound of Music . She forgot the words half way through and had to start again. Then it happened a 2nd time and later a 3rd time. The audience was surprised and getting restless because each take took so long to do. She was followed by Jewel. She got the words right but goofed some rhythms and had trouble with the ear piece (the instrumental background in the ear). So we started again. Audience getting more restless.
Nancy Odell was hosting and then introduced “family traditions at Christmas with Il Volo” which, was to be a pre-taped segment to be inserted in final editing. We did not see that video at the Grove last night. It was just dead time while they reset the stage. Next up was Gavin Degraw. He got through his song and wanted to start again because he could not hear the band, he said. However, the producer said it was fine and a good “take” so we continued (thank goodness). Next: IL VOLO
Up to this point the songs had all been slow songs but Il Volo came out and sang a fast and lively version of “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree” which really jazzed up the crowd. After all the starts and stops earlier in the show, it was a real breath of fresh air to have something fast and something where they got the words correct, got the rhythms right and had no sound problems. Our boys got the job done right. They were dressed up very formal and in the holiday style. They engaged the crowd and the crowd loved them. AND there were people there with big IL VOLO signs which they held up.
I was able to contact Barbara via cell phone, we could see each other in the distance and I got a wave from the guys but all from about 30 ft. That place was so packed (no seating. Everyone just standing there packed in however then could.). After I said my “hello’s and congrats on the tour” I had to leave for the airport. At that point the show was running about 40 minutes late.
The guys had just flown in from Panama City rehearsed the Christmas music and did the
show that same night. Now that is being a real trouper ! They had the energy but they really looked tired. I hope that today. Monday, they start getting some real rest.
It was very short but I am glad I went. Was the show worth it? Only for the connections they can make. As a musical event it was terrible. They had sound problems all night long. The quality of the speakers was the main problem. That mall is NOT a good place to watch a concert with all the Christmas decorations in place. Only a small number of people could actually see the performers. The rest of us had to watch on jumbo monitors – UGH !.
All in all, I was very proud of our guys. They were the most professional people there and they were exciting for the crowd. This show will be on the air later.
Elaine (etsecpa) has put together the best of the concert video’s. When I asked her why she would go to all that trouble she said,
“My post concert depression started on Aug 31, the date after the Fresno concert which I attended. The “PCD” peaked on 9/27- with the RCMH concert. So I decided to remake the concert with various YouTube video’s. The songs in the playlist are in the sequence of the concert. Thanks to all original up-loaders, it helped me a lot. I miss our guys very much still but it is great to kind of relive the concert moments again. Here is the private concert, enjoy..”.
