As you all know, Daniela Perani and I always collaborate. I use her translations because she is the best. But she is also a good storyteller.
While searching through the archives I came across this story and it stopped me in my tracks. Why didn’t I know about this? Where has this story been hiding? This is a story about our Ignazio winning the Shakespeare Theater Award in 2018! Why didn’t I know this. I thought I knew everything about the guys but obviously I don’t. This is a story that was written by Daniela and it is a very amazing and very touching story.
Let me begin with Daniela’s comments. Get the tissues ready!
OMG!! I seriously have tears in my eyes, so much so, that I can barely see straight enough to type! Those words from Ignazio, so honest, true, passionate. I just want to give him the biggest, greatest hug and kiss ever!! Ok, the tears are now running down my cheek…
It is true, he has suffered much from his young age. To think that people tell him he is a ‘fool?’ I think, and hope, the better translation though is ‘the funny one?’ I really hope people don’t call him a fool. I always knew I liked him the best and the more I read about him and the beautiful words he says, the surer I am. I know when I see him, I always say he is my favorite and I do think he really cares when he says ‘aww….’ It is so sad that we get such little time to talk to them at the meet & greet – we don’t have time to tell them how we really feel sometimes. He always seems to comment that people don’t get to ‘know him’ for who he is. I’m sure there are MANY fans that would do anything to get to know him personally! I know I would!
Every time I’m feeling down in the dumps about the site, or the guys, or my life in its current state, I read something like this, and the passion is once again renewed. I can’t fight the tears and emotions that are expressed. His honesty is so raw, so innocent and touches me right through the heart! Not sure about the other two, but I think he really expresses the humility that the group always professes. He still doesn’t realize how awesome he really is. Maybe that is why he sings with such passion and vulnerability? I so feel him…. Here come the tears again! Maybe we really were connected in another lifetime?
We are ready to welcome a great international artist to the Shakespeare Academy … today an artistic meeting with a surprise guest exclusively for our students. Stay tuned.
Yes, our Ignazio received the SHAKESPEARE THEATER AWARD 2018 award.
The event was not at all publicized because it was reserved only for students of the theatrical academy of Palermo. An event that took place in a very informal way and where Ignazio was able to meet and give advice to young students.
These are some statements made by Ignazio.
My goal is to make my art known, I want to get there in a healthy way, it’s all about consistency, there’s no right or wrong, then it’s important to enjoy what you have, but never be satisfied.
Sacrifices, I have made them, and I will do it, but if you want something, if you choose it, you do it.
I still remember my first time on a stage, a country bullfight, I was excited because the audience had more than 250 people and I forgot the words of the song that I had to sing, I watched the floor all the time. (He looked at his toes through the whole performance.)
Now, I face the stage in a different way, I’m afraid afterwards, my hands and legs tremble at the end of the show.
We are establishing a label of our own, we were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, I owe a lot to my parents who always believed in me, but never forced me to a life that maybe I did not want.
To be able to feel good, you must always treasure the people who love you.
The afternoon with the students of the Shakespeare Theater Academy in Palermo was very pleasant, alternating with questions to which Ignazio always answered with sincerity and simplicity. There were musical moments, especially duets and choral moments.
In this video, Ignazio gives advice to emerging artistic talents.
Message to the students.
We are in Sicily, in Palermo, and I wanted to send a message to all the Sicilians in particular to the guys like me, who are chasing their dream, in all fields, singing, acting, dancing, even in the working career.
We live in a land that is Sicily, one of the most beautiful lands in the world, a very rich territory, unfortunately maybe the management is not the best, but we can make this country, with our art, something beautiful.
I, in my small way, with Piero, my traveling companion, we are trying with our art, and I want to entice everyone to produce, do a lot for this land and above all give a smile and maybe a better day to those who listen, or who see you.
So, a big hug and hope to see you soon in some concert.
In this video, Ignazio talks about his physical appearance.
I was 120 kg. in practice I was an arancino al ragù, with meat, now I’m with pistachio, with the tip (the arancini with meat sauce are round, those with pistachio, pointy).
Not everyone is lucky enough to be thin (and he jokes with the boy at the piano).
I know people, but also I personally, there was a period that I did not accept myself, let’s say you’re in the eye of the storm, they see you all, so to feel better, you look in the mirror, and then I’ve always been very self-critical, and so many times I have suffered from this. The best was when we had to go get some clothes, and then, we went to Armani’s shop and the clothes were too small, we looked in the big sizes and those were too big.
So, in practice I was almost alone in my underwear and socks. But, as a result of a fever, I began to lose weight, I liked it, and then lost 35 kg all at once.
However, in 2018 women like a little bacon, so I do not have to lose weight anymore, I’m joking!
Even today, however, I do not like myself, because we are a bit ‘all like that, we never like each other, but this is a stimulus to do something, like the gym, which in a year I went at least 5 times.
(everyone laughs)
They (referring to the public) did not understand one thing in training, it is important to rest, to me, like to rest the muscles, and then be more active.(laughs)
In this video, Ignazio is asked about the merits and defects of IL VOLO.
You cannot describe a person on television because you do not know him.
Speaking of Gianluca, which may be the one for which the girls are craziest, he is handsome. During interviews, he may seem like the haughtiest one, the one that attracts the most attention.
He may seem the haughtiest, the one who keeps his distance, but it is not always easy to be yourself in front of the camera.
However, he really is the best person in the world, and I would like 10 percent of his determination, because when he wants to do something and thinks it’s the best thing for him, he’s determined, very determined.
Piero, on the other hand, is fiscal (physical), he is very strict with himself, he has a passion for opera, he is studying to improve his lyrical technique, and he goes back and forth to Bologna because that is where our teacher is. He too is very determined and knows what he wants to do, he wants to do classical opera and I often tell him that one day I will be in the front row listening to an entire opera where you play the tenor part.
And then there’s me, I’m the fool (the funny one) of the situation, and I tell you the truth, sometimes I suffered from this.
It’s bad when at the end of the concert, they come to greet you and say: you are the one with the lyric voice (to Piero), you are the one with the romantic voice (to Gianluca) and you are the fool. At the beginning I suffered a bit over this, but I have always tried to give my best, and in the end I managed to change a bit, the peoples idea of me.
I am a person who has no filters, for me cameras or not, I am always the same.
Tony Colapinto interrupts:Not only cameras or not, but that there are 5000 people in the theater or three at home, for him it is the same.
I was in Taormina during a concert, there were many foreigners, very many, from everywhere in the world, from Australia, from Russia, from Brazil, from America, people who laughed, even if they did not understand, what he had said, or at least I suppose.
Ignazio:Then to me, I do not like to talk about myself, in the end, I let people judge and that’s it, I do not talk anymore.
Really nice speech by Ignazio. Ignazio with the students of the ART TEATRO of Palermo.
It was very informal like he was chatting with his friends. Kind of like the way he chats on Bosky TV.
This person was present at the event and took a selfie with Ignazio and then posted it with this dedication:
Great person, great humility that for a boy of his age is rare, a beautiful example for all young people …I wish you the best Ignazio Boschetto Il Volo.
I loved this story. True Ignazio! Magnificent words! But that’s our Ignazio! Words just flow out of his mouth. Always the right words. In this case words that will set these young people on the roadway to stardom!
Daniela did an amazing job on this story. She still cries when she reads it!
I understand where Daniela is coming from. Sometimes, like in the two concerts in Verona, I found myself in tears.
Piero’s voice is about the drama and Gianlucas voice is about romance and alure, but Ignazio’s voice is off the charts. Ignazio, you are the lyrical tenor! You give life to every note! From the first note we find ourselves in ecstasy. We follow you up the scale and usually lose our breath before you hit High C! You certainly take my breath away and it seems you do the same to Daniela.
Ignazio is one of the most creative people I have ever met. He truly inspires me.
The one part of this story that upset me was the part about Ignazio being called a fool. I have never heard anyone say that about him but if I did that person would certainly have to answer to me for such a comment!
Let me go back to an old story and explain.
Ignazio is referred to as the funny one. And that he is but, is it really about the joke? Or is it more about the production.
In my story Talking About Our Guys I dealt with this funny man idea. I refer to the production part of that story.
The stage is simple. One sign that says it all – Il Volo. (That certainly has changed over the last year.) There’s the orchestra. Guitars, drum, piano, violins and whatever other instruments are needed for the performance. Now, I want you to stop and think about the performance. We know these guys have three amazing voices but, what if they got on the stage and for two hours, they did nothing but sing. I don’t think it would work. A performance needs the ability to move on. There’s no change of scenery and no intermission so how do you move the performance along?
Ignazio!!
The joking he brings into the performance provides the levity to relieve the seriousness of the performance. He brings a certain ease and suspense to the performance. The audience is always wondering what will he do next. But is it always about joking? I want you to think about what I’m saying. Ignazio is constantly moving around the stage. He’s dancing and keeping the rhythm. He’s swinging the microphone around and constantly nodding towards the orchestra, Gianluca and Piero. Is that the lead up to a joke? I don’t think so. Let me tell you what you are looking at. Ignazio is following every note that is sung or played on that stage. His mind is in motion. He is sensitive and passionate about music. He has the ability to see the music as it is happening. He knows where every instrument should come in and out. That’s why you notice little things like him smiling, nodding, pointing towards the musicians, Gianluca or Piero. He also grabs the baton from the conductor, sometimes to joke but more often to conduct. Think about him conducting the Asti Symphony Orchestra while Marcello Rota sang his tenor part. He wasn’t joking, he was conducting. And that’s why everyone was watching him in amazement. And when it was over, they were speechless. Look at Michele Torpedine go across the stage to embrace him. He is in awe of this young man.
Ignazio is music! You call him funny I call him brilliant! I am going to make a prediction here! Remember you heard it here first. Ignazio will compose a great opera (more likely a Broadway play) and will probably also write the libretto for it.
That’s who Ignazio is. Not a fool, a funny man, a funny man who takes the production and moves it along while keeping us in suspense and wondering what will he do next! Ignazio is the whole production. Could you imagine Gianluca or Piero pulling some of the stunts Ignazio does. No they lack the humor. Only Ignazio can pull it off and bring life to the production.
Let me have you think about this in another way. When was the last time you went to a concert and found yourself listening to Granada, and when you leave the theater find yourself not only admiring these three amazing young men with phenomenal voices but laughing all the way home because in the middle of this concert, Ignazio decided to let you know that Italian slice bread is not Italian bread. He has one of the most creative minds in the industry. He can produce a whole concert, he can direct a concert he can write the music and bring the comedy to the stage while never changing his direction of knowing what is on stage, in front of him, at any given moment! He has a methodical mind. He can bring a whole production together in his head before stepping on a stage and give you the most wonderful experience of your life.
His humor is a necessary humor that leads us through the production and brings us some of the most amazing moments in the production! I could write a book (and I just may do that) about all his achievements.
Ignazio you talk about Gianlucas determination, I can attest to the fact that no one beats your determination! You were determined to record your music while on tour and you did just that. On the day you returned to Italy you handed in the finished product somewhere around midnight, If I am not mistaken.
Ignaio, I love how you speak about Gianluca and Piero. For you they are true brothers. And when you work and when you create, you always have them in mind. I especially like what you said about Piero. He (Piero) too is very determined and knows what he wants to do, he wants to do classical opera and I often tell him that I will one day be in the front row listening to an entire opera where you play the tenor part.
And I will be sitting right next to you for that debut, Ignazio!
I love the fact that Ignazio takes the time to help others along the way. Here we find Ignazio giving advice to emerging artistic talents. The future of the entertainment industry. Ignazio said:
We are in Sicily, in Palermo, and I wanted to send a message to all the Sicilians in particular to the guys like me, who are chasing their dream, in all fields, singing, acting, dancing, even in the working career.
We live in a land that is Sicily, one of the most beautiful lands in the world, a very rich territory, His words say it all. No matter what you aspire to whether it is a musical career unfortunately maybe the management is not the best, but we can make this country, with our art, something beautiful.
I, in my small way, with Piero, my traveling companion, are trying with our art, and I want to entice everyone to produce, do a lot for this land and above all give a smile and maybe a better day to those who listen, or who see you.
So, a big hug and hope to see you soon in some concert.
Most recently, on Bosky TV, Ignazio had fundraisers for many needy groups and now he is working to develop a school of music especially for those young people who couldn’t otherwise afford lessons. The school will not only help these young artists, it will also be available for those in the community who after school have no place to go. It will provide a place to study and be tutored but above all it will be a place where these students will be safely off the street and protected until their parents can bring them safely home.
This is our Ignazio. He has the kindest heart and compassion for all these young people. In one of his CHATS he went to a school for emotional young people. He spoke with a young man about his love for music. This young man liked to play guitar. Ignazio said I will bring you one!
That’s our guy!
Ignazio’s words in this story are so deep and so sincere. He truly poured out his heart to these young people and by this he gave them some of the best encouragement and advice they will ever get. It is no wonder that Daniela cried all the time she was writing this wonderful story! I cried when I read it!
I really enjoyed writing about Ignazio’s Shakespeare Theater Award. You never know what you’re going to find in those archives. I surely found a treasure.
I want to thank Daniela for her wonderful story. It was a pleasure sharing a story with her!
If you would like more information on Ignazio’s charities come to Bosky TV and join a wonderful community. Together is Better!
Below are all the ways you can follow Ignazio’s CHATS. Of course, TWITCH is where most of the videos will originate.
To Subscribe on Twitch: https://www.subs.twitch.tv/Bosky_tv
TWITCH: https://www.twitch.tv/Bosky_tv
DISCORD PER LA COMMUNITY: https://discord.com/channels/97569074…
You know how I love searching the archives for some old but wonderful stories. This week I found an amazing article by my friend Daniela Perani at Flight Crew. In November 2019, the guys went to Red Ronnie’s studio to do a long video interview. It was interesting, amazing, fun and absolute Chaos!
The interview lasted more than 3 hours. The guys approached it the same way they do with everything else, with absolute ease! They spoke! They played! They sang! No rehearsals, just live, with a lot of serious talk and laughter.
This story is so good because the guys paid homage and respect to their US fans. As Daniela said, I will show you the precise moment when I thought intensely about you and your joy in hearing and seeing this.
There are no words. No doubt about it our guys love the USA!
So, I came to the end of this article, and I said, “What do I call it?” What is it about? It certainly is about the guys just relaxing and having fun! It’s about a lot of chaos and a big mess! Sounds like a day in the lives of Il Volo! But above all it is about visiting their friend Red. So how about, A Night at Red’s Studio? So that’s where we begin.
Now I’m going to give you the same advice I’ve given you with other translated videos. Below is the complete video of the show. Read the entire article then watch the video. Much of it you will understand without translation. I’ve also included the individual song where I could. Some were not available in which case I used the video from another performance. All the songs are in the full video of the show.
This is the video. Daniela said, I, broadly speaking, will translate what was said. I warn you that at the beginning the voices are not heard because they were not on mikes and sometimes the video freezes, but only for a few moments.
The boys immediately feel comfortable in the studio, and they play and sing, but they make a big mess, none of them cares about the camera. Gianluca shows his cell phone to Red, Francesca is probably on the line, and in fact Red greets her by saying “Ciao bella”. And Barbara says the new studio is beautiful.
Michele also appreciates the new studio and tells Red he would like to be his partner, the two shake their hands.
Gianluca proposes to sing “Suspicious Minds.” This evening Michele has fun joining in on the drums.
Red launches an advertisement and tries to explain that they are live on many platforms but this fails because Piero enters and immediately starts to sing. Red says it is not impossible to do a program this way and Piero replies that it is the most beautiful thing in the world!
Red brings Ignazio’s attention to the jukebox with a ban sign that has Ignazio’s picture on it.
This is because the last time they visited Ignazio was fascinated by the jukebox. He unplugged it, plugged it back in, opened up the front was touching the record inside. He just couldn’t keep his hands off it. So now there is a sign that states “Do not touch! 😂
This is a video of Ignazio on their visit one year before making trouble!
The guys are attracted to a basket of organic products, biscuits and honey, and ask if they can eat (they have just returned from a dinner).
The woman who supplies the food is present.
Red says that Piero told him he was very tired, but he didn’t want to miss this appointment, because here, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca have fun, with some musical instruments, they are like three happy children.
Next they talk about Torpedine and Piero says, he is the fourth member of IL VOLO.
There is a great confusion, and the phone calls begin, nothing is understood and Red shouts and tries to get everyone’s attention.
Here I tried to use the video from the show but was not successful. Instead this is the video of “Somebody to Love from House Party!” You can see them sing it on the video of the show.
The boys sing “SOMEBODY TO LOVE” and then sit down and answer a few phone calls.
Next, they dedicate “POR UNA CABEZA” to a girl..
Everyone laughs because Ignazio drops the guitar and the CD advertising sign, a disaster.
So, Ignazio talks about a Sicilian singer he met as a kid and who is no longer here.
Red asks to promote their new CD, but none of them, not even Barbara or Torpedine, have brought a CD to show.
The boys perform the refrains of all the songs on the new CD.
Red reads some comments on Facebook.
And then the fun begins again with the guys singing. Ignazio starts by playing and singing a beautiful song by Gianni Fiorellino and then, “Tirichitolla”. Then they all sing “Tirichitolla”.
Red asks if he can retrace their 10-years with special moments and asks if they immediately agreed and Ignazio says no, because Gianluca was with a small group and not with them.
Gianluca joking and answering, he says that he is a prince and they (Piero and Ignazio), are the plebs. Piero, murmurs “….. a horned prince.”
The boys say that at the beginning they were successful only abroad, in Italy they didn’t do concerts, they knew them but because their songs were considered “old” they were not appreciated.
Red confirms, that even now, apart from the fans, here in Italy, they are still a little snubbed, by those who have “the stink under the nose.”
Ignazio says that in the musical field, being snobbish is a symptom of ignorance, because you can like or dislike music but it must all be respected. A person can say, “I don’t like it, but I respect.”
Gianluca replies that we are not all the same and if certain people think in this way, that they are free to listen to what they want.
Red confirms that Ignazio is right, because a person cannot buy a record of a singer that he doesn’t like, but if this singer is a reality appreciated by many people, he is an artist that must be respected. He also says that music can give or not give emotions, and they of IL VOLO, given the results, give many emotions.
Piero says that their music represents the Italian melody, but many are ashamed to show their Italian character.
Ignazio says that we should never be ashamed of the country where we live and says that they have felt the love for the Italian flag at Eurovision.
Red recalls that at Eurovision they were first with the votes of the public but were penalized by the juries. Ignazio says that after what happened to them, they changed the voting system at Eurovision.
Then they talk about all the shows in the US in which they participated, but always with simplicity. They remember the concerts with Barbra Streisand.
Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, eat biscuits and honey, Red is desperate.😁
Piero talks about the 100 concerts that will take place from 2019 to 2020.
They start a debate about who the critics are, and Red says that sometimes critics love a song but they would never admit it, because it would be like disavowing their words, because critics have good words for what they think can be good (even if they don’t like it).
Ignazio says that in Sanremo they were interviewed by all the journalists, except for one, who never called them, not even when they won Sanremo, because this journalist doesn’t really consider them, for stubbornness ……. (he is an overpaid journalist who works in the national television network, Ignazio does not say his name, but Red understands who he is).
Gianluca instead says he does not understand how some critics can still reject the evidence, Il Volo has made a great journey in 10 years, 24-year-old boys singing for Pope Francis in Panama, it doesn’t happen every day, and this reality has been ignored.
Red says he has never met such simple, funny and clean guys, like Il Volo.
The guys sing “Musica Che Resta”. I couldn’t get the copy from the show so I used the cover!
Ignazio gives advice to Michele and Red says that a boy wants to give lessons to a master, but Torpedine says that Ignazio plays the drums better than him and that he also has some very beautiful insights.
Ignazio wants to sing with Piero and Gianluca, but those two refuse and then Red asks Ignazio to play Pino Daniele. ❤️
After Ignazio, Gianluca says he would like to sing “Henna.” A beautiful song by Lucio Dalla (author of Caruso). Red explains the story of this song and Gian sings accompanied by Ignazio (it’s the first time they sing it and play it). ❤️
Piero says that his musical tastes, instead, lean more towards the lyric genre and he admits that during the tour in Japan he had the courage to sing “PORQUOI ME REVEILLER” from the opera Werter, in French (a pity we didn’t hear it). Red asks him if he wants to do it at that moment, but Piero says he needs voice warming, and also that it’s very difficult.
So, let’s listen to it when he sang it in Japan.
This is actually where they sang the Star Spangled Banner.
Calls continue to come in from all over the world.
This is an original version of O Sole Mio.
Piero sings “O SOLE MIO” in English / Italian version.
Then they play some rock and roll.
Other phone calls come in and Red is amazed at how Gianluca remembers all the girls.
Piero plays the camera man.
Piero says in Guatemala, while they were in concert, thieves entered their hotel and stole from the safe on the wall, which was in Piero’s room.
Gianluca says that every time they go to Guatemala, there is so much affection for them, on the part of the Guatemalans.
This is Grande Amore from Eurovision.
Red looks for Ignazio, who is talking to Torpedine, in the next room. Michele says they have to register “GRANDE AMORE” in English, because they had this request, for the English and American market.
In addition, Michele announces that they will be on a famous Italian satirical news program STRISCIA LA NOTIZIA on 18 November.
Red asks why they go to that news and Michele says it is to promote their CD, there is no hotel destroyed.
Red remembers that they had been interviewed about the story on that news program, due to the hotel being destroyed, and he asked Ignazio if it was true. Ignazio replies that they do not destroy hotels, they only destroy Red’s studio a little.
At this point, there is a very important moment, which definitively silences certain unjust attacks that are still done to the guys, on the question of the Swiss hotel.
Michele says, “It was so destroyed, that we won the case and then we gave that money to charity.”
Red adds that no newspaper wrote of this, they only wrote that Il Volo destroyed a hotel and not that they won the case and gave the money to charity. Michele adds that the newspapers say only what they want and never talk about the real things of the group and their successes in the world, they never write it, because it bothers them.
At this point the boys are attracted by a magnetic turntable, which has the disc plate that remains suspended in the air. Red is worried because he’s afraid they’ll break it 😁, Ignazio says he wants to have it.
Red asks Ignazio how they spend the money they earn. He replies that he bought a nice car and has a house, because it is important, even if they are away, to have a house to go home to and then he helped his family. He says that all three of them come from families full of feelings and emotions, but not economically speaking, so they helped their families, they allow themselves some things, but they are very responsible boys, who don’t do crazy things.😘
Red asks Piero the same question. Ignazio says that Piero is stingy. Piero says he is not, he says that all three are quiet boys, that they give value to money, because they all come from humble families, artisans, so they know the value of hard-earned money. Now they are lucky enough to be able to live thanks to the work they do, they are three very privileged guys who therefore try to help the people who need it most.
Ignazio says they are generous boys.
Piero confirms and says that they do not like to make it known, in fact Ignazio says that he was at the Santa Caterina (Hospital of Bologna). Red did not know it and says that it is right to tell these things, but Ignazio says that it is an act that he does for himself, not to make it known to others.
Beautiful things have been said, and Red says, that every once in a while, digging, a diamond comes out.
The interview which was made in total freedom, made so many people happy that they saw the guys of IL VOLO, in a different way. The phone calls that have come from all over the world, this showsthat Il Volo is really known everywhere.
Red then asks for them to return, and that they will be prepared to sing, with musical backing and Ignazio says they can come with their band. Red immediately wants to set a date before their departure in January.
Piero says that for Red they come willingly, and Ignazio adds that they feel at home there, an evening with friends.
Torpedine remembers its beginnings. Gianluca says that Michele sees himself in them.
Red sees the tattoos of Ignazio and one says SAUDADE (nostalgia) and Ignazio says, he is one who needs moments of sadness.
Red asks Torpedine to tell the difference between the first singers he has followed and Il Volo, and Michele says that he has been living these last 10 years big time, he has started breathing again and he says it to everyone, because the boys and their families are honest people and special and he notices this even when they are traveling around the world with the band and the crew, everyone wants to be with them, like a big family.
Finally, there are real relationships, they are serious, and then they play, but always with education, respect and gratitude. They consider Michele an important person.
Torpedine says that he and Renis, at the beginning, saw these child prodigies, but then when they grew up and their value was very well understood. Red asks to finish the show with a song.
Some more phone calls and Red is amazed because Gianluca remembers all the girls who are calling.
The last phone call is from Lucrezia, an Italian girl who at the concert in Rome, had a sign saying:
“I’m beautiful, I’m rich, I’m smart. Piero, want to marry me?” Piero in Rome, he was joking and answered yes!
Piero remembers everything and now asks her if his two friends (Gian and Igna) are good as witnesses and Red can sing the Ave Maria. 😁
Gianluca shows Red the photo on his cell phone, a vegan breakfast and Red says he and Piero are planning a wedding and Gian shows him a breakfast? Red says these guys are crazy.
Piero dedicates the last song to Lucrezia: “Grande Amore.”
Gianluca confirms that another evening will come, with the whole band, and will prepare and perform their songs.
Red asks them to set the date for January 13th. They perform, “GRANDE AMORE.”
Red gathers all three for the final greetings. He takes Ignazio’s cell phone and sees that his mother, Caterina, sent him a message that Red reads: “You are all wonderful, I love you, my little one.” Then Ignazio shows the picture of his Arturo and says he lives with him, but now he is in Sicily, because they are always abroad.
Piero is very tired, sleeping on his feet, and Red calls his father Gaetano who is there with them. Gaetano is a very shy person and of few words. Red asks if Piero has his head mounted and Gaetano answers, absolutely not, then he says he lives in Naro.
Red asks for a close-up of the faces of Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca, to show how tired they are.
Final greetings and thanks.
The boys say, “A big hug to Red” and they all throw themselves at Red. ❤ 🤗
This was a totally, awesome, improvised interview. The guys are a natural!
So, we come to the end of A Night at Red’s Studio. Between the chaos and the mess, we find a very sincere interview about where the guys were in the first ten years together.
Again, I wish to thank Daniela for this wonderful translation. Because of Daniela we always know what’s happening in every interview the guys do!!
Happy Memorial Day from me and the Guys to the American fans!
Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!
The following morning, the video, was published by Red Ronnie, who had many beautiful words for IL VOLO.
“What a night last night, we finished at 1:00 a.m., I went to sleep at 3:00.
It was incredible, to say that guys are happy, that is to say the least.
We have reached an impressive number of people around the world with this live.
We have demonstrated the incredible popularity of Il Volo.
What happened, it was fantastic, also because we had fun.
Everything was out of control, everything was spontaneous.
This morning I saw only the beginning and I had to force myself to stop, because I would see everything again, for how beautiful it was.
I’m very tired.”
He says that the January date is not confirmed but Monday he will go to dinner with Torpedine and they talk about this.
Red states that you cannot know what it’s like to do a live like last night, because it was a completely improvised program, so you had to adjust the microphones every time, but it was wonderful.
Red confirmed that it was incredible yesterday with Il Volo, something amazing, fantastic, they will repeat this experiment.
If you would like to share a story with me, please email: susan.flightcrew@yahoo.com
To read more Il Volo stories visit us at www.ilvoloflightcrw.com.
Three years ago, after learning that the guys were going home because of COVID, I started checking the fans pages to see what I could find out. What I found out was people were very concerned that the guys were going into the COVID zone, Italy. Little did we know that we would follow them.
The guys did what they had to do. They left to be with their families.
I was not a person who went on fan pages. I was always too busy to stop and read all that people had to say. But suddenly, I wasn’t busy. In fact, I was completely shut down. No business, nothing! That’s what led me to start reading the fan pages. After a few days I realized that the fans were making themselves crazy over the guys going back to Italy so, I decided to write an article about it. I posted the article on Facebook and some of the administrators of the Il Volo fan groups started to message me. Can we post your article? Then they followed up with can you write another article. Well, I had nothing to do so I said yes!
At one point I received a message from Daniela Perani who asked if she could post my article on Il Volo Flight Crew! I said yes, and three years later I have my own column (every Wednesday) and the rest is history!
So, today, three years later, I am posting the original article which Daniela posted. I’ve included her remarks so you can get a feel for how this all went down! So here I am Talking About Our Guys ~ Three Years Later.
Daniela’s comment:
Reading, here and there on the various sites and fan pages, I found this beautiful article written by Susan De Bartoli. Several fan pages have recognized the goodness of this beautiful article by publishing it. Since maybe not all of you who follow Flight Crew may have read it, I thought I’d post it here too, and I asked Susan for her confirmation to do so. Here’s what she wrote.
Over the last few days, I’ve been thinking about how our lives have changed in just two weeks. It’s surreal! I try to distract myself but it’s difficult to get away from it all. So, I decided to focus on something else. I can usually get lost in my writing. You know before I started my travel business in 1990, I worked in the motion picture industry. I used to critique films. It was a good job but, I decided I wanted to do more with my life so, I quit my job and I spent two years writing. The best years of my life. So, where am I going with all of this?
Like most of you, right now, I spend a good deal of my day listening to those three amazing guys sing and I said maybe I should do a review of what’s been going on in their lives for the last 10 years. I think, over the last few days, I must have watched hundreds of video clips including interviews and some full concerts and now I’m ready to Talk About Our Guys.
Let me start off by saying these three young men are extraordinary! They are remarkable, exceptional, persons. And, they have revolutionized the music industry. Let’s take a look at each one.
Gianluca is known as the Velvet Voice! I don’t who coined the phrase but, that is right on. Let’s use our senses to understand what that means. Take a piece of velvet and hold it in your hand. Now take your other hand and gently pass your hand across the velvet. What do you feel? You feel a smooth even surface that is crisp with no breaks in it. The sensation is so good that you automatically go back and do it again. And every time it’s the same. It’s pleasing!
Now take Gianluca’s voice, let the notes pass into your ears, what do you hear? A crisp, smooth, even voice with no breaks in it. The note barely passes into your ear, and you are going back for the next note. It’s always pleasing!
Gianluca is a lyrical baritone. He is exceptional because he can sing from the lowest to the highest note in the baritone range. Most baritones are limited in range. Gianluca’s voice is huge. He has a very rich chest resonance which creates a feeling of depth and drama in his voice.
A baritone voice is very romantic, very pleasing to listen to and is always inviting. Most songs are written for baritones. Gianluca starts, almost, every song. Why? In order for a song to be received well you must draw your audience into it. Gianluca’s voice draws you in in a romantic way and you hang on to every note. He can mesmerize you with songs like “Mi Mancherai” where he reaches into the depth of your being. His interpretation of “Surrender” is electrifying.
But, when Gianluca sings, “She’s Always a Woman”, he takes your breath away. The highs, the lows, the emotion, the expression. His voice expands like nothing I ever heard before. He has total command of the song. You walk away with your senses lifted to another level.
Let’s talk about Ignazio, who I call the bridge. He is a lyrical tenor. He, like Gianluca, is exceptional because he can sing from the lowest to the highest note in the tenor range. And God knows he can, easily, hit the high C. Waiting for it and knowing it’s going to happen is so exciting! He brings so much to the production, and I’ll talk more about that later!
A lyrical tenor has a warm graceful voice which is bright and strong but not heavy and it can be heard over an orchestra. Ignazio’s voice is smooth, clean and clear, with an acute extension. His voice has the ability to increase the baritone voice of Gianluca while softening the spinto tenor voice of Piero.
Ignazio has many faces. He is very whimsical in his songs as in “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici” from La Traviata. In the aria “Una Furtiva Lagrima” from L’elisir D’amore, Ignazio makes you feel the innocents of Nemorino’s love for Adina.
In his dedication to Pino Daniele you hear an interpretation that is emotional and a delivery that is so amazing that you get the sense that Daniele wrote his songs for Ignazio.
Ignazio’s voice is the one that brings it all together!
I certainly look for every excuse to include one of my favorite songs. Nobody else can sing it like Ignazio! Just thrilling! “Quando l’amore diventa poesia.”
And finally, Piero. Piero is a spinto (meaning pushed) tenor. A spinto tenor has the brightness and height of a lyric tenor, but with a heavier vocal weight enabling the voice to be “pushed” to dramatic climaxes with less strain than his lighter-voice counterparts. His voice is warm, graceful, bright, and can be heard over an orchestra.
Piero has a powerful voice that easily reaches the higher notes. Every note that comes out of his mouth reaches us with such intensity and remains with us for a long time. It’s the voice that reaches out to you and demands your attention.
Think of Piero singing “E Lucevan le Stele” from Tosca. Or singing the beautiful Spanish aria “No Puede Ser” from A Tabernera del Puerto. From the first note Piero pierces your soul! His passion comes through in his music. Arias are very dramatic and, Piero brings all the drama of the aria into his performance. Always a showstopper!
Now let’s put the voices together. Gianluca starts most songs because he is a baritone, and most songs are written for baritones. As I mentioned he draws you into the song. Gianluca will sing (in most cases) to Ignazio and Ignazio to Piero. This is how the three voices become one. Select one of their songs. Now close your eyes and listen to them sing. What can you say about this song? You can say, that is Gianluca or Ignazio or Piero singing. In the progression of the song, you hear the voices blend to form a symphony for your ears. Their voices are very distinct.
Most groups sing and you hear just a song but with Il Volo you are surrounded by voices. And the individuality of their voices entices you and it stays with you. “Musica che Resta”. (Music that Remains) Think of what Piero says when he introduces one of the solos, “After we were together a while, we realized we had three different voices.” He wasn’t saying that they suddenly found out they had different voices he was saying we are Tres Voces un Alma (three voices and one soul) and, we need to show you those voices individually.
Let’s look at how they described one another when they first started out. I think Ignazio said Gianluca was the serious one, and Piero was the Intelligent one and Gianluca and Piero said Ignazio was the funny one. So, let’s take a look at that.
Gianluca, in most cases, is the spokesman for the group. I’m not sure if this is by chance or choice. He seems to always take the lead when they are in interviews. And he is constantly monitoring the conversation. A good example is the video that was going around recently. It’s the one with the story about the shrimps. The boys were appearing on a Spanish show and Piero was telling the story about Gianluca and Ignazio’s food fight, when they were teenagers, and he mistakenly used the Spanish word cama (bed) instead of the Spanish word cara (face) which turns the story from them throwing shrimps into one another’s face into throwing shrimps at each other in bed. Gianluca picked up on this and immediately corrected the mistake while Ignazio and Piero got hysterical laughing.
Piero is the intelligent one perhaps because he thinks everything through. In interviews he thinks before he speaks, and his answers are always intelligent. He’s very serious and you can tell he thought out the answer before he spoke. And I’m sure that’s what makes his performance so great!
And, Ignazio, the funny one. And that he is! But is it really about the joke? Or is it more about the production. Let’s turn to the production.
The stage is simple. One sign that says it all – Il Volo. There’s the orchestra. Guitars, drum, piano, violins and whatever other instruments are needed for the performance. I want you to stop and think about the performance. We know these guys have three amazing voices but, what if they got on the stage and for two hours, they did nothing but sing. I don’t think it would work. A performance needs the ability to move on. There’s no change of scenery and no intermission so how do you move the performance along? Ignazio!!! The joking he brings into the performance provides the levity to relieve the seriousness of the performance. He brings a certain ease and suspense to the performance. The audience is always wondering, what will he do next. But is it always about joking? I want you to think about what I’m saying. Ignazio is constantly moving around the stage. He’s dancing and keeping the rhythm. He’s swinging the microphone around and constantly nodding towards the orchestra, Gianluca and Piero. Is that the lead up to a joke? I don’t think so. Let me tell you what you are looking at. Ignazio is following every note that is sung or played on that stage. His mind is in motion. He is sensitive and passionate with the music. He has the ability to see the music as it is happening. He knows where every instrument should come in and out. That’s why you notice little things like him smiling, nodding, pointing towards the musicians, Gianluca or Piero. He also grabs the baton from the conductor, sometimes to joke but more often to conduct.
Think about Ignazio conducting the Asti Symphony Orchestra while Marcello Rota sang his tenor part. He wasn’t joking, he was conducting. And that’s why everyone was watching him in amazement. And when it was over, they were speechless. Look at Michele Torpedine go across the stage to embrace him. He is in awe of this young man. Ignazio is music! You call him funny I call him brilliant! I am going to make a prediction here! Remember you heard it here first. Ignazio will compose a great opera and will probably also write the libretto for it.
An early interview. Talking from the heart! Very sincere!
Let’s go back to the beginning. When these three young men started out, they were 15 and 16 years old. Think of being 15 or 16 years old and you have a dream, and someone tells you that that dream, needs to be shared. To fulfill that dream you have to leave your family, your friends, your home, you have to go to another country, and you have to share this journey with two people who you really know nothing about except that they had the same dream you did. You have to trust that the decision that was made by you and your family, was the right decision. If not, it’s back to square one! You’re going to be lonely, and you have to learn to survive without the people you love. So, you learn to lean on one another. That dependence turns into a friendship and that friendship into a brotherhood. It enabled them to trust enough to collaborate and perfect something truly amazing. Something that revolutionized the music industry. Let me go further by showing you a collaboration by these three amazing, very, very talented, young men that is so unreal that it boggles your mind. This is a collaboration of love. Stop and listen to this performance of “Por Una Cabeza”.
Look at how they smile at one another during the performance. A smile that says yes that’s it! Their faces are ablaze! Their expressions let one another know that it works. And, finally, when it’s over, they are so excited they can hardly contain themselves. Look at their smiles, their faces are lit up in joy and their embrace says it all! They are brothers who love one another!
Daniela’s final comment:
Susan, I really have to thank you for your nice words, you hit the mark in the description of Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero.
Thanks also for allowing the publication.
We will be happy to have your other posts if you wish.
A hug from the whole Flight Crew family.
Well, obviously, I continued to write for Flight Crew!
How do I see things now. I see the guys more mature with voices that are more amazing each day! The sweetness is still there, and they still share their lives with the fans.
Sometimes it’s difficult writing about the guys because they’ve lived a lifetime and experienced things that most entertainers only experience late in their careers. They are so young and have truly lived a lifetime of dreams. Since the column is called Through the Fields of My Mind, I must talk about the past. Sometimes I think, how many ways can I tell the same story and then, I read your comments and I realize it’s new every time and there is always someone who has never heard the story before. All in all, I still enjoy Talking About Our Guys ~ Three Years Later.
Just a final note, I will be leaving for South America next week. I will be away for three weeks. Since I don’t know what the internet will be like in South America, I decided to bring you three individual stories about the guys. They go back to the beginning before they were Il Volo! You can continue to message and email me but I’m not sure when I will see the messages.
While I am away, I would suggest you read my weekly story on www.ilvoloflightcrw.com because I don’t know if I will be able to post to the individual fan pages. You can go on Flight Crew and sign up for email and the story will be automatically emailed to you when it is published. While you’re there, visit the Archives and read all the old stories!
Now for you listening pleasure The Concert in Verona 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
To read more Il Volo stories visit us at www.ilvoloflightcrw.com
Credit to the owners of videos and photos.
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
