How proud we are to read the interviews made to our young men, especially today it is Gianluca’s turn who was interviewed by the magazine VDossier, a magazine that deals with volunteering, but also with good gestures, with people who do good, of positive things, as a reflection of many magazines that instead write only about negative things.
A nice interview that perhaps not all of you have read, here it is!
GIANLUCA GINOBLE: HOW TO BE AN EXAMPLE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
The artist, with the Il Volo trio, is acclaimed on all continents. He never forgets his commitment and as soon as he can he takes refuge in his village and spends time with his family and grandfather.
The little boy who came to success almost by chance, for a television broadcast (“Ti lascio una canzone”, conducted by Antonella Clerici on Raiuno in 2009) today has become a mature man, despite being only 28 years old, responsible and profound.
An artist who, while treading the most prestigious stages around the world, appreciated by stars such as Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones or Anastacia, accustomed to performing in front of the greats of the Earth or tens of thousands of people on all continents, continues to remain very attached to his village, in Montepagano di Roseto degli Abruzzi, where he continues to take refuge, to regenerate, to unwind as soon as international commitments allow him.
His name is Gianluca Ginoble and he is one of the three members of the Il Volo trio.
Baritone, as for vocal texture, unlike the other two, tenors, Ignazio Boschetto and Piero Barone, the singer from Abruzzo, has recently returned from a triumphant tour in South America.
In forty days, under the skilful direction of their historic manager Michele Torpedine (discoverer of Bocelli and Zucchero among others) they performed, among other cities, in Guatemala city, El Salvador, Bogota, Quito, Buenos Aires, San Paolo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Porto Alegre, Mexico City, Panama.
Here is what Ginoble wrote on his social networks (over 700,000 followers on Instagram) to thank the Latin American public:
“Music has given meaning to my life. The goal has never been to desire and pursue ephemeral and fleeting concepts such as fame and success, but to do what makes me happy and serene and to express my essence. But to understand who we are we need to get to know each other, dig deep into our inner self, dialogue with ourselves daily to discover what our vocation is and persevere in the search for what we were born to do, always recognizing our potential and humbly our limits and with tenacity and ambition everything else will come by itself… Thank you for the love you have shown us every day since the beginning of this wonderful journey.”
Back from the tour, after a break of a few days for Easter, the Il Volo trio recorded the program “Uno Per Tutti” for Canale 5, at the Verona Arena, broadcast on the flagship Mediaset network, at the end of May.
VDossier interviewed him during his rest period.
“I’m in Montepagano, at grandfather Ernesto’s house,” he explains on the phone, “today I spent a day with him. I’m happy because I finally have some time to dedicate to my loved ones, to my friends.”
It is no coincidence that one of the most popular photos on Instagram is the one with his grandfather and has received almost 70,000 reactions worldwide with 1,400 comments. The one with Ed Sheeran, to give just one example, received “only” 53,000 hearts. And Ginoble, as a comment on the photo with Ernesto senior, writes:
“Do not neglect your grandparents, they are the greatest treasure in life.”
This strong bond with grandfather Ernesto honors him. Some things don’t change.
You, together with her two colleagues from the Il Volo trio, is an international star. Your recent tour in South America touched twenty cities in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, which have a population almost similar to that of the whole of Europe. And, everywhere, you were greeted by huge and cheering crowds, as usual.
It was needed, after four years, it was really needed. Seeing the affection of such a distant audience, even culturally, and that appreciates everything we do, is always a nice gift.
And this demonstrates, once again, your maturity and professionalism because maintaining success for all these years is not easy and, perhaps, it wasn’t even so obvious at the beginning.
In the great performers that I admire, I have always tried to identify their great strength, and I wanted to inspire them a little, especially in the message to send, regardless of musical tastes which can be subjective. We must always recognize the success of the artists, everyone is always unique in what they do. Because, even if we at Il Volo didn’t invent anything new, we were the first singers of our age who brought this genre of music to stages around the world, which, historically, has always been interpreted by adults. I remember the first concerts well: the aspect that struck most of all, both the public and the critics, was seeing these three kids propose a repertoire of great love songs. The second step was to demonstrate that we were able to go further. Consolidating our first success, avoiding the risk of appearing and disappearing like one of the many meteors in the entertainment world, are the goals we have achieved and exceeded. We were able to count on an artistic choice managed in detail.
Credit to you, your manager, Michele Torpedine, and your families who have given you that security, that armor to face the world of the star system.
I’m not a parent, maybe one day it will happen, but the mistake I won’t make is to expect my child to follow the path I like. My father, Ercole, and my mother, Eleonora, have always given me advice. They have always passed on fundamental values to me: education, responsibility, seriousness. What I appreciated the most, however, is that they always supported me because they recognized that there was something in me that I wanted and could express. Unfortunately there are parents who, taken by their own self-centeredness, totally ignore the needs of their children, especially in art and culture.
You speak, you sing, you perform in front of thousands of people who see you as myths. Do you feel the weight of responsibility?
If you live everything spontaneously and naturally you don’t feel any weight, the secret is all here. Also to convey emotions it is important to maintain a child’s candor on the playground. Every evening there is a different audience even if you sing the same repertoire, you try to concentrate on the songs to be interpreted and on the message you want to send. I focus a lot on the lyrics, on the melody, every night I try to create a connection with the audience, as if it were always the first time.
In your opinion, does your music, your success have a civic role? If so, which one? Does the question of how your songs affect the lives of your fans arise, do you pose as a trio?
I believe that every artist has a great duty to be a positive example. How many times have charismatic characters influenced fans in a negative way? Mine, our aim, has always been to represent a correct point of reference for young people who, especially in adolescence, do not know who they are or what they want. The new god, for many, for too many, is definitely money, but they have no idea how to reach that goal. If you recognize who you are, even with the help of your family, it’s easier to have a peaceful life. We sing of love, of solid, lasting values. They seem ancient, obsolete concepts. But today it is as if the new generations had focused more on the body than on the soul. The goal, however, is not to lose sight of those values.
Today one of the problems of the young generations, all over the world, is that of inclusion. Which also means solidarity with others, with people most in difficulty, not just physical ones. How do you deal with it during your tours or in your daily life?
The aim is always to do good, to develop a certain universal love towards everyone, because you don’t know what battles your audience is facing. The only way I know is to live a peaceful and quiet life. Everyone is made in his own way and I believe that the real great diseases are indifference and wickedness.
You started singing as a child. Today, looking at that little one, what do you think helped him make the leap from a small city in the middle Adriatic, Roseto degli Abruzzi, indeed, Montepagano di Roseto degli Abruzzi, to the most important movie theaters in the world, from Madison Square Garden in New York down?
Sometimes I think about the past and I believe that what has helped me the most to achieve my successes has been fighting a certain insecurity and forming a self-esteem that has allowed me to recognize my limits, but also my potential. Being aware of one’s talent does not mean being presumptuous, on the contrary. Just because you get certain recognition is because you have awareness. It is a fundamental ingredient in everything we do. Always with humility. I believe that education and knowing how to deal with others is more important than talent. And above all, it is necessary to have a vision of the future. How many people, despite having a great talent, don’t know how to exploit it? Others burn out quickly because they can’t handle personal relationships or are caught up in a thousand distractions. Or worse, they behave irresponsibly like getting lost in alcohol or drugs. So, going back to your question, it was a complex job. Since I was ten years old I have developed a strong curiosity about everything that surrounds me, I always try to understand as best as possible how this world of art, music and entertainment works, I observe other colleagues and how they manage their own art. I asked, I asked, I always wondered, and my parents helped me. I trained and probably achieved my goals for this series of reasons.
The values of his family, starting with his grandfather Ernesto – who was also important in making his love of music and singing and who he continues to have by his side when he returns to Roseto – were the fundamental ones, which allowed him to have peaceful growth.
I believe that to live with great intensity we should also contemplate the negative moments of existence. In this period, and for many years now, I have been successful but I have to contemplate failure, so I live every day as if it were my last. Even thinking about the affections: I could lose my loved ones, I could lose my own life. In this way, contemplating these possibilities, without wishing them, of course, but knowing that they can happen, I live every moment as if it were the last. I enjoy every day, I am committed to making sure that I am always at the center of a fulfilling life.
You, also with your two colleagues Barone and Boschetto, are often personally involved in causes of solidarity. You have given, you have dispensed joy, serenity, to many people. How much did those experiences give you?
What does the smile of a child, the grateful gaze of a mother add to his life, full of successes, affections, satisfactions?
They are gestures of love even if you don’t actually know the people you meet. Giving without thinking of receiving anything in return, the happiness of a child, a mother, a father, makes your existence even more beautiful. This is the concept that I would like to send to everyone, especially boys and girls. There wouldn’t be wars if we all reasoned like this, we wouldn’t argue with our neighbor, because we’d finally be able to put pride, self-centeredness, our presumption aside. Unfortunately we live with this disease that wears us out. We arrive at the end of our life with great frustration because the gestures of love that make it unique and special are few. They allow us to be better people by helping others. There is nothing more beautiful.
Dear Gianluca, looking at you everyone can notice your external beauty, but knowing you, anyone can appreciate your every word, you are such a mature, profound young man, full of great values that have been given to you by your family.
Surely your gestures, your words, can be an example for today’s young people who, unfortunately, are attracted by ephemeral values and often forget their families.
You are great Gianluca, and we are proud of you. ❤
Gianluca is very different from Piero and Ignazio. He had a calm and peaceful childhood. He didn’t have the challenges that Ignazio had or the intense classical education that Piero had. No, Gianluca lived a very simple life. Perhaps that explains why Gianluca is a romantic. With him, everything is about passion! Actually, four passions! Family, Country, Music, Soccer! Not necessarily in that order! He takes his passion for Abruzzo around the world with him. On tour he always speaks about Abruzzo. He loves his country and, he wants others to love it too!
So, let’s begin Gianluca’s Story in a small town in Abruzzo…. Montepagano!
My name is Gianluca Ginoble. I was born on February 11, 1995, at the Atri hospital.
I am from the town of Montepagano, Abruzzo. To be precise, I grew up, in Montepagano, on a hill two hundred meters as the crow flies and ten minutes by road from the sea, and Roseto degli Abruzzi.
The accents are beautiful, the dialects are beautiful, but I can say that what I prefer is the Abruzzese? I am, very, proud to be from Abruzzo. I love everything about this region. And I like to bring Abruzzo around the world and keep it high.
I am right at the sea. I’m relaxing, I’m calm! There is a sea breeze and nothing else. It’s Thursday and I am practically alone on the beach. I’m fine, from God! I’m fine because I’m home.
When I come home, I relax and I am calm, as I cannot be anywhere else in the world. And now, I can say I’ve seen a lot of places in the world. Coming home to Abruzzo, I feel like I am on vacation. Montepagano is right on top of the hill facing the sea, it seems to look like a postcard. It is here that I can get away from everything and everyone and stay in peace. Montepagano is a perfect place, a kind of paradise, but what concerns me is I see Abruzzo “emptying.” The boys achieve a diploma and go to study in Bologna or farther. This is not new this is something that I have seen since I was a child.
My life as a child seems so far away. I remember, very, little of my childhood! It’s like twenty years have passed but, only five have passed. I’m not like Ignazio I was born and raised in Montepagano. I was traveling only with dreams. What made me dream? Music naturally.
I had a radio with a knob that turns to find the radio station. What am I looking for? The songs of Andrea Bocelli, my absolute idol. Or Domenico Modugno, or others of this kind. In the summer, I would take the radio along when I went with my friends in what we call la pinetina (the small pine forest), that is a park with wooden games and tables and with lots of green space. Like today I was looking for music, for songs that inspired me and made me dream. My friends would listen to my music but, they liked Eiffel 65 and music from the early 2000s, and so they would tell me, come on, change…! What is this? I liked modern genres, I listened to everything, but what I loved was something else.
In November 2000, when Gianluca was five and a half years old, his brother Ernesto was born.
I was five and a half years old, when I was starting to hum. A year later I started to get interested in Bocelli and Modugno.
So, Ernesto’s is in his cradle and he’s listening to me sing these melodies. The most beautiful thing I remember and, it is a memory that I have printed in my head is when Ernesto was big enough to come to the small pine forest too, I made him listen to these songs that my friends did not appreciate. We sat close together on the ground and I placed the radio on my legs, or I sat on the swing with the radio resting on the ground and we listened to music that was so unusual for our age. I told him my dreams. I do not think I’ve ever had this confidence with anyone, and even today, it’s like that with my brother. The result is Ernesto has a natural talent for music. He has something “musically speaking,” both when he strums the piano in the living room, and when he sings. Who knows…studying? Today I trust him as I do not trust anyone else. After an exhibition I go to him for his opinion. Ernesto, how did I sing? Did you like the performance? He answers, well, yes, maybe you’ve been a little waning there. Ernesto always understands and gives me his opinion. He has never studied music, he has never studied singing, but he always knows how to give me the right advice, the right vision. It’s like when we sing together: I play the melody and he immediately makes harmony. At his age, I did not do that. I think the radio did well by him.
As I grew older, I became more passionate about singing, including the great American classics, first of all Frank Sinatra.
I’ve never studied music, if I have to tell the truth, but the music at home has always been there. My grandfather Ernesto has been a musician since he was a boy. He played the contralto flugelhorn in the band of the town, he toured all of Abruzzo doing performances with the band and has always been a lover of the opera.
My father Ercole, studied music, played drums and sometimes he still does. Let’s say he’s more rock than grandfather!
Dad and mom realized that I had something special in my voice when I started to sing at the age of three or four years. But, as it has always been, they let things take their way without ever forcing me.
Gianluca’s grandfather was the first to think of bringing him closer to music. He had a classic taste, more “popular” to say, he is one of those gentlemen who fifty years ago listened to Luciano Tajoli, but he is also an opera lover.
So, around the age of eight or ten, I began to listen to classical music, opera, especially Luciano Pavarotti, and some genre of music from the Fifties to the Sixties.
I took the tape recorder and put the cassettes in, my parents told me, it seemed like I was immersing myself in those notes.
They tell me that, when I was three years old, I sang O Sole Mio in the town square in front of all the elderly gentlemen friends of my grandfather who, sitting around the bar table, were listening to this little boy with such a particular voice.
This was my first audience but, of course I don’t remember it. My grandfather wanted me to study music, he always told me: “Gianluca, study the piano, study an instrument.” I’ve never done it. It would be a dream to sit down on the piano and start playing and singing. Let’s say it’s one of my next goals: learning to play the piano.
While my grandfather made me listen to classical music, Pavarotti and music from the Fifties-Sixties, my father made me feel Fabrizio De Andrè, Francesco De Gregori, Giorgio Gaber, Antonello Venditti and, as I grew older, I became more passionate about singing, including the great American classics, first of all Frank Sinatra.
So, let’s say that as a child I had a beautiful musical culture. What was left of that period? The classical opera no, because today I do not listen to it, it is not part of me and, I do not feel it particularly mine. The only opera singer I keep listening to is Andrea Bocelli, but I have come to him by another road.
I never liked school. I was a lazy man and I’ve never been a great scholar. But in spite of it, I had good grades. I liked algebra in middle school. But most of all I had always been fascinated by languages: Spanish, French, English. I did not have a hard time studying them, I am naturally inclined to study languages. I remember that when we sang the first songs in English and Spanish, I was the one who took the least time to do the right phrase, with the right pronunciation, because I immediately feel the musicality of foreign languages. I contribute this to listening to Sinatra who had perfect pronunciation and I understood every single word of what he sang. It was a great way to learn the pronunciation and even the songs.
After middle school I did not choose to go to linguistic high school, it was only because I thought that with my work I would travel and, I would learn the languages directly.
In 2009, I enrolled in a classical high school as a privatist to study Greek, Latin and French translations. This is also difficult. I liked Greek more than Latin. Then unfortunately I had to stop in the second year, I could no longer continue because the work was too demanding.
Between the age of eleven and thirteen, Gianluca enjoyed playing soccer, long games with Pokemon cards and, and always music!
Football has always been a great passion of mine. This too, like music, is a family passion.”
My father is a big fan of Pescara, as is my grandfather. They were also big fans of Vialli, no matter which team he played on because he was a myth for my father. And because Vialli also had a name that appealed to both my father and mother, when I was born, they named me Gianluca Vialli. Let’s say that name aside, my father gave me a piece of football culture. I am a big fan of Roma football, before Il Volo, more so. I watched all the games, I did not miss one, and every time Totti beat a penalty, I covered my head with my arms and, if I heard the scream from the television, I screamed from home. But now there are work commitments and that prevents me from following my favorite team. Even now, despite the commitments, I continue to play football as soon as I can.
If I have any regrets about my school years, it’s that I never studied music when I was ten or eleven. But there is still time.
When I go back to Montepagano I always try to organize a game with old friends with whom I trained in the youth teams of Roseto.
How did I play soccer? I was good, come on, I did not like losing, I wanted to score goals by force, I never passed the ball, and when I had the ball, I scored. Let’s say that I was a bit “instinctive” even on the football field.
Once when I was playing in Pescara there was a score of 4 to 4. I had already scored two goals, but the draw was not enough for me, I wanted the win. Only the field was difficult, it had rained, so there was a lot of mud. What happened? I pull, huge slide and I fill myself with mud, from head to toe. What do I do? I start shouting, ‘I got dirty!’ In all this, it must be said that the game was true, even if we were very young. There was the championship, with the ranking and everything else, it’s not that you could take and do what was going on in your head. The referee shouts, ‘Get up, what are you playing ball.’ ‘No,’ I said, ‘I’m leaving, I’m all dirty!’ He shouts, ‘get up and go to the locker room.’ Not for nothing, they don’t call me the ‘little Cassano’ (famous Italian soccer player) for nothing. Cassano was so good and, he was so restless!’
Another time we were at the Borghesiana in Rome, at a national tournament. The Roseto was also in series C2 and even in the very young there were good coaches, competent, good, that when they told you one thing, that was that, because they knew what they were talking about. In that game at the Borghesiana, I do not even remember, against who we were, I did not score goals, the coach takes me away from the game. At the beginning I came back on the bench nice quiet, but after a moment they did everything to restrain me. “I want to go in! I want to score!” I was shouting. I kicked the coach. Now obviously, I would not do it again, even if football is still my passion.
This actually is the end of Gianluca’s childhood story but let’s think about this for a moment. If Gianluca didn’t become a singer, would he have become a soccer player? He was, real, good!
So, I started Gianluca’s story with his passion for country so let’s end with his passion for soccer. I will let Gianluca tell one more soccer story. In this story he is an adult! This was the soccer game that the guys played in for charity.
You cannot imagine the happiness of playing in the ‘Partita del Cuore,’ (Match of the Heart) a Telethon for Charity on June 2, 2015 at Juventus Stadium. The stadium, in fact, made Ignazio happy more than anyone, because he is a huge Juventino (a big fan of Juventus). I was more excited about having been called up for the first time in the National singers and even more for being able to score. The match was against the team of Champions for research, all great sports champions and big names in the show, from Alex Del Piero to Pavel Nedved, from Jorge Lorenzo to Liam Gallagher of Oasis. What a dream it was! The stadium was full of people cheering crazy. My team was losing, when I came in, we were 3 to 4 and not being able to do anything, apart from shouting directions to my team-mates on the pitch, it made me feel even more strained. It’s like, I know how to play football, you see the others, think about what you would do for them and tell them. No, you scream it, otherwise they will not hear you. Ignazio and I shrieked like crazy to Piero, and then Piero and I shrieked like crazy to Ignazio, but ‘my legs are trembling’, I had to run, enter the pitch, I wanted to score.
The coach made me enter in the 83rd minute.
We were, as I said, under a goal, but I do not like losing football. So, I took the ball and I scored. What magic! The stadium was screaming, the guys ran to hug me, it was almost like winning the Sanremo Festival again.
So, Gianluca has scored not just in soccer but in music. An amazing young man with a tremendous voice. Gianluca’s Story was a simple story about a boy who grew up in a small town and became a Super Star!
Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!
What I have written here are excerpts from the book the guys wrote about their lives. “Il Volo, Un’avventura Straordinario, La Nostra Storia.” (An Extraordinary Adventure, Our Story) This is just a small piece of each mans’ story. The book is written in Italian. If you can read Italian, I would highly recommend that you read it. It’s wonderful! If not, I can only hope that someday it will be translated into English. Or you can use Google Translate to translate it.
I also recommend you read their second book “IL Volo: Quello Che Porto Nel Cuore” (What I Carry in My Heart).
And let’s not forget the new album. Available on Spotify, Amazon, and other music media!
Friendship, the true one, can move seas and mountains, and is recognized in times of need.
Piero and Gianluca are two true friends and right now they are demonstrating this. Ignazio, since his father’s funeral, has remained in Sicily, perhaps he did not want to leave his mother and sister alone and he needed a moment of rest.
But there is a project to be completed, the tribute for Morricone, time passes and the date, which for now remains confirmed, is approaching.
So, a couple of days ago Gianluca published a photo of him at the Rome airport, leaving, for where?
We all thought about a return to Bologna, to continue the registration for the tribute.
But it wasn’t like that, the three friends got together, but not in Bologna, but in Sicily, it was all planned ….. I don’t think so. I think that the events, which prompted Ignazio to return to Marsala and to take a rest period, made Piero and Gianluca decide to return with their friend, to support him and also be able to continue their projects.
This is a true friendship. ❤❤❤ And here they are, beautiful and united.
Can I interpret the feelings of all of us fans, seeing Ignazio Piero and Gianluca together again? A feeling of great affection invaded me on seeing their beautiful faces gathered together. So much gratitude to Piero and Gianluca who preferred to go back to their friend and companion of many moments, Ignazio.
But the works have to resume, and so here they are intent on rehearsing the songs, they nicely let us peek, small moments, some chords ……. to make us understand that everything is proceeding.
I glimpse between them Lello Analfino, the one who had written beautiful words for Piero and Ignazio, now he has also met Gianluca, it looks like a recording studio, perhaps Analfino is giving them advice, and they know how to listen to the advice of people who have experience!
Surely, the Sicilian landscape outside is gorgeous, by the admission of the guys themselves ….. “the best way to record music” …..
And then we go out together, as friends, return by car and…
….. to end the evening, a nice dinner all together, while watching a football match, good times with friends, to end the evening, after a day of rehearsals.
And tomorrow we start again, but always together, always united.
Because this is the meaning of friendship.
The friendship that makes Ignazio write a beautiful theme for a television drama, Màkari, but which he shares with his old friends: Piero and Gianluca.
(this photo is the fragment of Màkari’s opening theme where Ignazio and IL VOLO are credited for the song)
And in the recording studio MCN STUDIO 17, in Palermo, they work, record, but there are also satisfactions.
These beautiful words had just been published by the studio itself.
Days of friendship and a special love that only music can give, thanks Il Volo, because in addition to music you bring with you that healthy joy of life that makes every moment madly beautiful, after all, art is to transform into happiness, and to live every moment of what some commonly call work, in a light way and full of ideas to improve by improving, you have brought this into our studios.
PS: Silvio Schembri (Piero’s friend) brought the “cassata” (delicious Sicilian dessert) and isn’t that happiness too ??? 🤡
To the most demanding, rightly, we remind you that the people portrayed in the photo are all “buffered” (they performed the test for the virus), see the following photo, and despite this, during the working hours all the positions were maintained and used precautions to avoid contact.
The photo without masks is a need that concerns the affection you feel with friends, and also a desire to exorcise the moment with the hope of being able to return soon to hug and kiss without fear, because hugs and kisses are that code of body language that makes us men and women free to love each other, and we want for these young talents a good that goes beyond imagination.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
A couple of days ago, the page of Il Volo gave the official news of Vito’s passing with these beautiful and moving words.
A few years ago we titled one of our concerts “An Extraordinary Adventure”.
Well, all adventures contain moments of happiness and moments of sadness, the key thing is to face each of these moments together.
United, always.
Ciao Vito, we will miss you.
Better words could not be chosen, Vito will never be forgotten.
Always united, in happy and sad times, because that’s how true friendship works.
And what about the nice words used to our guys by the recording studio
What a joy to be able to see Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio, at work, rehearsing and recording, because they want the next event to be “perfect”, they want everyone to like it and be a worthy tribute to a “great composer”.
They will succeed, we are sure, and we will contribute to their success, with our affection and with our support.
Land of Sages and Fools ~ Made of Devils and Saints!
Sometimes I feel like I spend every day of my life writing about Ignazio! In the last year I wrote over fifty stories about the guys and, it seems as if half of them were about Ignazio’s projects. Because of all his projects I sometimes write two and three stories a week about him, wearing many different hats. Entertainer, Lyricist, Manager, Entrepreneur! The amazing thing about it is, I can’t get enough of him! Ignazio lives in mind. I have an emotional attachment to him. I guess it comes from writing all those stories. With fictional characters, the writer develops the character but, when you’re writing about real people, you come to a point where you are in their minds and, you feel their passions and emotions!
As usual, it was Daniela who made me aware that something new was going on. She sent me a video that said Màkari and I wondered what is this about? And then I clicked on it and heard Ignazio’s beautiful voice and I thought when did Ignazio record this? That’s when I realized it was a new series on Rai1 and Il Volo will be singing the theme song. And if that wasn’t enough, I learned Ignazio wrote the song. Ignazio, do you ever sleep?
Ignazio, last year, you told us you had many surprises for us. This obviously was the collaboration with Rai1 you were talking about. Unless we have another surprise in store! We can only hope!
Truthfully, who better to write a song about Sicily and the region of Trapani than a native child! No, Ignazio wasn’t born in Sicily but, for Italians, who your parents are is who you are so, in fact, Ignazio is Sicilian.
It amazes me that the young boy who went to Sicily kicking and screaming when he was ten, became the spokesman for Marsala, around the world, and now for the region of Trapani. Ignazio came to embrace the land of his parents and he loves all the wonders of Sicily.
Sicily is different than Italy. Yes, I know Sicily is Italy but, how the Sicilians live and, who they are is very different. Ignazio’s song invites us to take a better look at this other land in the south. It speaks of “a land of sages and a land of fools, made from devils and saints.” Yes, that’s what Sicily is! They honor their saints while keeping their superstitions!
Ignazio invites you to live a new reality through his eyes. He invites us to see a different side of Sicily through his beautiful theme song, Màkari.
Ignazio begins his video by explaining to us his experience of Sicily as seen through his eyes. “It is a Sicily as told by a twenty-five year old who lived Sicily through stories, through images!”
This song speaks volumes! Where did the words of this song come from? Ignazio’s heart! There is something very mysterious about the song. Besides the fact that it speaks of a land of sages and fools made from devils and saints. It also speaks of truth! The truth as seen through Ignazio’s eyes.
Ignazio’s words allow us to see Sicily through tradition, home and love!
In the video, Ignazio talks about the summers he spent in S. Vito Capo in the landscape of Màkari. What is it that draws him back year after year? Is it the “silence” of the land that screams for you to open your eyes and look around at the wonder of the landscape or, the traditions of the land that go deep into your soul? It seems to Ignazio, Màkari is joy and love and so he will never forget it! And what does that say! Simple! This is Ignazio’s story!!! His story of Sicily, the land he left to pursue his dream and the land he is drawn back to time and again.
Think about the words of the song! Is Ignazio talking about the writer who leaves his home and returns after a long period of time or the entertainer who travels the world? The similarities in his life and the life of the writer are striking, that’s why he was able to write such an emotional song! I feel like Ignazio wrote the song and then they made the show. His words are very enticing, they pull you into the story. They tell all there is to know and, Ignazio tells us a story, through the imagery of his words!
The mystery of it all is the relationship Ignazio has with this land! Having become a part of this land at the age of ten, it is amazing to me that Ignazio developed this great bond with Sicily. Yes, Bologna is his home but, Sicily is the place he comes home to!!!
Ignazio says, “it is an honor to talk about my Sicily through a fiction that tells the truth of this Sicily.” Ignazio loves that through all the mysteries and mystique of the program, the show speaks of love, which is something that he loves and, he loves that that love is combined with yellow (mysteries)!
Sicily is amazing for Ignazio because it’s different for him every time. He sees a Sicily that is always offering something new while being a part of something old. Always remembering what was while looking forward to what will be! This speaks to Ignazio’s soul!
Ignazio’s thoughts and emotions are everywhere in this song. In an interview on Sunday, with Inga and Claudio Gioè, the actor from Màkari, Ignazio reminds us of his words, in the song, about His Sicily. “Whoever comes to Sicily, cries twice,” (once when you arrive and, once when you leave). I think that sums up Ignazio’s feelings for Sicily.” I think the words of this song will be on the lips of everyone for many years to come! A Classic!
The final verse of the song is sung by Ignazio with a few beautiful words in Sicilian and he is accompanied by a classical guitar. “Sing louder but do it in silence because here no one hears us, sees us. This is a story a little curious, a little grumpy, it speaks to me of love. For traditions, for my roots, Màkari is home and my heart sings for you!” These are emotional words, very touching!
In the video, Gianluca and Piero expressed their feelings about the project. Gianluca said, I have anxiety waiting for this moment, so I renew my congratulations to everyone for this great project and we are delighted to be part of it. We, also, learned something very interesting in this video. We now know what everyone’s plans are for the future! Gianluca says, he would love to be an actor. I always thought he would be a model. He certainly has the body and looks for it! But who knows maybe he will show up in one of the episodes of Màkari? And Piero the sweetheart that he is, told us how proud he is of Ignazio and how happy he is to be a part of this project! Piero, all of us are very happy that all of you are embarking on this new adventure together!
One final thought! Ignazio’s words in the song call out to, many, people expressing his feelings on many matters! I would like to go back to those last words of the song so that you can listen very carefully to Ignazio words! “Sing louder but do it in silence because here no one hears, sees us.” Think about it!
Màkari we’ve been waiting for you!
What an amazing song! Ignazio as usual you took my breath away, not just with your voice but, with your beautiful words. No doubt they were from the heart. They truly hit home! They so speak of where you heart is! And from the bottom of my heart I say, thank you for the song and thank you guys for the beautiful delivery!
You know how many times I’d like to leave from this land of devils and saints but Màkari is home, it’s joy and pain this is my land.
Land of Wise Men and Land of Fools of people who take heart, take it and give it! Whoever comes to Sicily, cries twice! Màkari is my home.
This is a story a little curious, a little grumpy, it speaks to me of love. For traditions, for my roots, but Màkari is home, and the heart sings for you.
Sing louder, but do it in silence, because here no one hears us, sees us, but Makari is home, it is joy and pain, Màkari I do not forget, I forget no more.
This is a story a little curious, a little grumpy, it speaks to me of love. For traditions, for my roots, but Màkari is home and the heart sings for you.
Since the world situation of Covid-19 infections is arousing so many concerns, I thought I’d translate a carefree old video from 2015.
Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio were in Mexico, the Facebook direct started to be more and more beautiful and long and this one made on December 8, 2015 in the “Infinity Room” shows us some very funny and cheerful guys, in all their spontaneity!!
I = Put it straight, otherwise they won’t see us, Piero, turn it like this.
P = Like this? Yes! (he straightened the image)
G= Hello
P= Hello everyone
I= Hello everybody (he shows the laptop) here we keep the questions.
P= We are in the infinity room.
G= ( He speaks in English) We must also speak English for the fans, from the US and Canada and Europe. We have all the questions here and we will answer them ……
P= We have all the questions…. also speak Italian …. we have all the questions, in Italy it is 12:05 am, but there are still people awake.
So we will answer all questions ….
I = The problem is that all questions are in Spanish.
P= We answer questions in Spanish in Spanish and questions in Italian …
I= But are all in Spanish !!
P= And then we only answer in Spanish!
G= Of course, because now in Italy it is midnight!
I= Well, the first question (he reads a strange name) but what name is it?
“What did you like most about Mexico in all your visits.”
P= Guacamole (Mexican food)
I= Guacamole?
G= No, come on. We can say, the warmth that when we are in concert, we go to receive, is incredible, the Mexicans are so warm and love us very much and we love them very much too, we remember the concert we did in 2013 in the National Auditorium.
P= Go with the next one.
G = I’m texting my family who sees me live, one second …. (He chat with his family on mobile)
I= Question: “What a Mexican song …….”
P= Wait, wait …. listen, listen to us …. because he tells me that he can’t listen to us …. can you hear us guys ??? Ok!
G = Yes, yes …. my father (he gets up and touches the video) hello dad.
P= Ok they hear us.
I= But wait, if someone has a normal Facebook, can they see us anyway?
P= Yes
I= Ok, if one has normal Facebook …
P= He can see us.
I= … go to Facebook and find Il Volo …
P = Il Volo live …
I= Cool !!!!
I= Well, second question: “What Mexican song do you like and with which Mexican artist would you like to sing?”.
G= (he starts singing a Mexican song)
P= No Hace Falta, all my life, with Cristian Castro, because we have this song on our album (they start singing No Hace Falta).
P = (start greeting some fans connected via Facebook from all the world)
I= So, third question: “Do you like Mexican food?”
P= Why do they always ask for food?
G= Wait, this comment: an hour ago we were in a very good Mexican restaurant, we ate chicken fajitas (typical Mexican dish). Try tweeting Fajitas de pollo, with guacamole and other stuff (kiss his fingers to say the food was very good).
P= There were also … what are the beans called?
I + G = Frijoles (in Spanish language)
I= So, next question of .. (he reads a very long Spanish name), but a shorter name? no, quite right?
P= Only the first, Mariele. But there are no questions on the album?
G= Greetings from Bergamo (Italian city in Lombardy)
P= Hello from Gela, Rachele. (Gela city of Sicily)
I= Please, do you listen to me or not?
P= Yes we listen to you.
I= “What is it like to be in the world of successful music, all over the world?”
P= It is a great responsibility, because we are always an example to young people of our age …. (Gianluca is half hidden by Piero and continues to chat with his cell phone, Ignazio gives him a pat, to make him understand to stop)..… and we feel it a lot.
I= Karito, from Colombia.
P= Hi Cristina!
I= But if I said Karito, why do you say Cristina?
G= Because he (Piero) is reading on the video.
P= I am greeting people.
I= But listen here, we have the questions! From Colombia: “What do the fans mean to you?”
G = The fans. I believe that if we are here today, we must thank all of them, for the support they have given us, 5 years have already passed, since we were 15 years old. Today we are 20 years old, a lot of things have changed, look we have grown up, we have a beard, and many of you are women and were girls, and we are growing together and it is a very beautiful thing. 😘
P = (he continues to read the names of the fans that appear on his video)
I= (reads a question) ”The thing that amazed you the most, said by a fan.”
P = Igna, you answer, because I didn’t understand .
I= Well, let’s move on to the next question !! (laughter … and he reads the next question).
“Hi beautiful, I would like to know what you do with all the gifts you have received.”
P= Hello beautiful! We keep them in our home.
G= How much Nutella they gave me.
P= We put them all under the tree (Christmas tree) and we open them on Christmas day.
I= Arboles (he keeps saying the word tree in Spanish -arbole-, adding the final “s”)
G = “Arboles” are two trees, “arbole”, one tree. You have to say “arbole” one.
I= (Ignazio is not at all convinced and keeps on saying “arboles”), but we are three, therefore our “arboles”. 😁
G= You can’t imagine how much Nutella they gave me. I’m gaining weight, look, I have a belly …. (lifts his shirt to show his belly).
P = Cover up !!
I= The next question is from Venezuela. “What does the Grande Amore CD mean, to you three?”
P= The Grande Amore CD, for us, is the best CD we have made in our career, because there are also new songs from our repertoire. In truth we are looking forward to coming to concerts in Latin America and around the world, to play our new songs and to listen to you fans, sing our songs………… oh my what an answer !!!
(Ignazio kisses the video).
G= What a fool !!
I= Another question ….
P= Let’s say hello … (he reads several Italian names)
I = (turns to the Italian fans) But what are you still awake at this hour?
P= (he reads Korean names and all three imitate the Korean language, what a confusion)😁😁
G = What is the next question?
P= Hello from Malta !!
I= Another question from Argentina. “Which song on the new album do you identify with, each of you?”……
I really like SI ME FALTA TU MIRADA, which in Italy is IL TUO SGUARDO MANCA.
P= For all three of us, our favorite song is of course GRANDE AMORE, but we also have other song (Gian’s shirt continues to open on the chest) … do you want to lace up? ……
G = I’m covering up!
P= …..But each of us has a favorite song.
I= You, what song do you identify with on the album?
G= (he starts singing a cappella, SI ME FALTA TU MIRADA)
I= (he says two Italian words, a little vulgar, used in a film by Antonio Albanese, an Italian actor).
P= Come on, Ignazio, there are microphones open !!
I= But I mentioned the words of the actor, Albanese!
G= (laughs loudly and claps his hands) Only Italians understand this.
P= The problem is that there are also Italians in chat! 😁
I= And what’s the problem? Indeed it is beautiful ….. I LOVE YOU !!! (and blow a kiss)
Another question: ……
P= Say hello first. (and starts reading the names on the chat)
G= Greetings to Roseto Montepagano !!
P= Greetings to Naro, province of Agrigento, and you Ignazio ??
I= And I greet all the “Marsalesi” (inhabitants of Marsala ….. and then he lists a series of names of his friends).
G= Sorry, but it takes a moment of madness!
I= Another question from Colombia, but it’s not clear ….
G= (takes his mobile phone because a message has come to him) Look, my mom ….. my mom Eleonora, she sent me a message, I read it: (and shows her mobile phone in the foreground) “leave the phone “….. mum look I’ll put it in my pocket!
I= This question is from Brazil.
P= From Brazil wow, a lot
I = “What are the dreams of Il Volo and your individual dreams?”
P= Il Volo’s greatest dream is to win a Grammy.
G= We came close in 2012, because we had two nominations in 2012 and now let’s see what we get with Grande Amore, we hope to win a Grammy next year.
I= Individual?
P= Individual. My dream is to sing one day, an opera at the Scala in Milan or at the Metropolitan, it’s my big dream!
G= At the stair ….. (he makes fun Piero for the name of the Scala theater which means stair) …
I= At the emergency exit.
P= (he laughs and points to a stair with his hands) Yes to the stair, it’s the biggest dream for me.
G= And for you Ignazio?
I= You speak, you start.
G= My dream is to always live singing. It is the dream of a lifetime. To live singing, and sing while living..
I= My dream is to find a beautiful girl, with beautiful long hair, intelligent and why not, who dances.
G= That she dances?
P= What dance, let’s dance! Wait, let’s say hello to some fans. (and he reads some names)
I= (a message arrives on his cell phone and he reads the name aloud) There is Sonia Mosca, hello Sonia !!!
G= Sonia wrote to me too, bye Sonia.
P= Hi Sonia, have you forgotten about me? (he checks his cell phone), yeah you forgot me, really !!
G= You see that there are also many Italians.
I= (He screams) There are so many questions still …..
G= Ignazio, don’t scream!
P= (He shows his cell phone) Sonia wrote to me too, ciao bella!!
I= Piero, can I? Another question: “What is the most important thing in your life now?”
P= One answer each. For me FAMILY and MUSIC!
G= The same thing, the negative part of this life, is the distance from the family, but on the tours they accompany us, we stay out for 4/5 months and my dad accompanies me and then later, my mom too.
(He sees his brother in chat) My brother, hello Erne, (he blows a kiss), hello Erne, I love you, even to grandfather Ernesto.
I= For me it is important: my family, my sister, another person, …. stop it (he says to Gianluca) ……. and if I were a Miss: the peace, in the world!
P= (He laughs) …. peace, in the world!
Wait Ignazio, five more greetings (and reads more names, also Italians names, one is Martina)
G= Hi Martina …. what a beautiful name Martina..
I= Ok, another question: “What is the good part of your career?”
P= There are negative things and positive things. The bad thing is that we see little of our family.
G= I already said that.
P= And the good thing is when people think of us, the fans who wait for us outside the hotels and sing our songs, and they don’t make us feel alone.
I= Another question from Lupita Chavez.
P= Hi Lupita.
G= I have to say goodbye to Elisa, a friend of mine, bye Elisa!
I= Can I? “What inspires you, every day?”
P= Hi Irene!
G= Hi Irene.
(To Ignazio) Repeat the question.
I= “What inspires you, every day?” Well, it’s the affection and the love that the fans make us feel ….. (look at his face in the video) I only see half of my face and the back …… and the love for the music.
P= E L’AMOR VERDADERO ! (L’AMORE SI MUOVE in Spanish, and they start singing a cappella.)
G= The next question?
I= From Venezuela “What are you doing, in a moment of maximum tension?”
P= Listening to music. (The boys joke about what to do to release the tension and Ignazio also names Ercole).
Next question.
Ok, guys calm down, and cool blood (Italian way of saying to mean to calm down and don’t lose control).
G= I apologize for Ignazio, who at times cannot control his instincts.
P= Has no self-control.
G = Exactly, so we apologize.
I= But sorry for what? The spontaneity you two don’t have?
G= (At this moment he is very close to Piero, hugging Piero and giving him a little kiss).
P= Aho !! What are these little kisses?
I= Can I? (refers to continue reading questions)
P= Wait Ignazio, we greet ten people (list the names).
G= Lara from Malta, hello Lara!! People are asking that we go to Peru.
I = A Lima, so I arrange my hands!
Question: “I’m from Puerto Rico, what is your favorite animal and why?”
For me, the horse !!
G= Ignazio really likes the horse.
I= The horse and the dog. I have to buy a beautiful one, a cocker spaniel (Franz?)
G= I like ??? ….. Piero what do you like?
P = You say it first.
G= The dog, but also the cat.
P= At home I keep a …. how do you say turtle? (they mention a beautiful Italian song LA GATTA by Gino Paoli) ….. wait, how do you say turtle?
I + G = Tortuga
P= I have kept two turtles at home for at least five years, but I enjoy it a lot ………. (at that moment Barbara enters with a note that passes to Ignazio, the boys read interested)
P= What happens?
I= I don’t know!
G= Ah, yes, we must remember …… practically secretly they sent us a note where it says: “Remember the photo with you on December 10 in Piazza Loreto at 6 pm.”
I + P = Of course, of course !!
G= So, on December 10th, we will sign the autographs, in Piazza Loreto, here in Mexico City.
P= At 6 pm, we will sign all the GRANDE AMORE CD, we can take selfies, and we can greet all the fans. We want it very much.
I= Another question: “What do you do at home, when you have free time?”
G= What we do ….. because we are always traveling. We do nothing when we are on vacation at our house, we are with our family, with our friends, especially now, during Christmas Time. Christmas is coming and so we can’t wait to be home with the family, with the people we love.
I= The question is what you like to do in your spare time.
G + P = Being with the family.
P= Ignazio, listen when we speak. (Then he greets a dozen fans.)
I= I’m dying of heat, I have a boil! (and he takes off his sweater, Gian laughs).
P= (He starts singing PIOVE and immediately Gian and Ignazio join a cappella, then continue singing SMILE. Gian wants them to sing it softly, Ignazio and Piero collaborate, but in the end they laugh).
G= Why are you laughing, it was beautiful.
P= I know, but I felt like laughing. (and he starts to repeat the ending of the song)
I= Again??? But what do we do: the replay???
G= Why are you two doing this, there are people who look at us and think “But these guys are crazy!!”
(Then he reads a question on the video chat.)
“Hi guys, I don’t know if you answered any of my questions, the internet is very slow, and I can’t see it live.”
I= Put the fiber optic, my love. However we said … another question, from Mexico: “How do you prepare, before starting a concert?”
P= Well, let’s get ready by doing exercises to warm up our voice. We don’t talk and we don’t scream and we do vocalizations. And then we shake our hands, like that. (They clench their three hands in one fist.)
G= Easy, Ignazio, you hurt me!
I= But is Piero, not me! The last three questions.
P= Come on Ignazio, the penultimate (next to the last).
I= (He can’t even begin to read the question as Piero begins to greet the fans). But Piero, damn you stop me every time.
G = Wait, there is a girl who asks me: “Tell me a sentence in the Abruzzese language.”
Ignazio, you know the Abruzzese, what would you say?
I= (He pronounces a sentence I don’t understand.)
G= But this is more of the language of Teramo. (another city in Abruzzo where the language is slightly different.)
P= (He speaks in the Abruzzese language.) And, how are you, are you okay?
G= Exactly, even better. (he reads a comment) “Gianluca, you have to get married with a sweet wife.”
P= (reads a series of names again, then all three speak at the same time)
G= Guys we make too much noise.
P = A girl tells me to say something in Sicilian.
I = Pirri-ciucio (Sicilian dialect word)
P = Guys the “pirri-ciucio”. The day before yesterday I had to explain to Ignatius what pirri-ciucio is.
I= A word that is used only in Naro!
P= The pirri-ciucio, would be a pirolino (Gian laughs embarrassed). This one, for example, (he points to the small button on Gian’s shirt) would be a pirri-ciucio.
(Ignazio continues to joke about the meaning of pirri-ciucio so Gianluca and Piero ask the fans to forgive Ignazio. Gianluca moves, in order to hide Ignazio.)
I= (reads the question) “What do you remember from the first time you went on stage?
P= The first time was in Atlantic City.
I= Bravo!
G= Caroline, a kiss!
I= You haven’t finished the question!
G= Ignazio, they ask that you sing something by Pino Daniele.
I= But why do you also have to tell me what to sing? (He starts to sing, but Gian suggests he sing “Napule”.)
G= Something beautiful, come on.
I= Why do I have to sing … but what do I have to sing?
G= Sing come on. Napule is ….. (he mentions the beginning of Napule)
I= No, I’ve already sung Napule.
G= Then “Quanno chiove” (other Pino Daniele’s song)
I = No, let me think ….. (and starts singing “Resta Cu ‘mmè” by Pino Daniele, Gian and Piero also follow the performance of the song.)
G + P = Bravo Ignazio. Last question.
I= From Colombia: “What is the most shameful thing that happened to you on stage?”
P= It happened to me in Cuernavaca (Mexico City), when the night before we had talked all night and the next day on the stage …
I= You know what? What’s the name of the part here with the zip (and he mimics the sliding of a zip).
G= Zip
I= In Verona, when we did the concert in Verona, on September 23rd, I kept the zip open!
P= Noo!!
I= Yes!!
G= It is nice to see that there are also many Italians, also because it is not very late.
P = Guys, last goodbyes, twenty people …
G= Piero, wait, I want to explain. There are 7 hours difference from Mexico to Italy. Here it is 05:36 pm, so, thanks to all the Italians who are following us. It’s late at night in Italy, so thank you all.
P= (starts singing ANCORA, the song in the first few words says, “it’s high night and I’m awake ….” and all three sing, a cappella. Ignazio, to Gianluca’s disappointment, begins to sing the first verse in Sicilian 😁, then they sing together in their version, the second verse.)
Barbara enters and says that Michele has sent a message. The three are happy and scream:
I= Hi Michele!
P= Michele, the Torpedine.
G = Greetings to Michele Torpedine.
P= Dear Michele, we miss you.
I= Our manager’s favorite song is ODIO L’ESTATE (and they start singing it).
G= Anyway I wanted to tell you that Michele Torpedine is a great manager, he discovered Andrea Bocelli and many others such as Giorgia, Zucchero and others. We send greetings to Michele Torpedine.
P= The most important thing is that Michele has discovered Il Volo.
Hi Michele, we send you a big kiss from Mexico. See you next week in Italy.
Now let’s say hello to all our fans, let’s quickly list some names.
G= Let’s end our live chat with GRANDE AMORE. (All together they sing a cappella GRANDE AMORE and at the end they say goodbye to everyone and send kisses.)
I started this translation at least a month ago, but then it was put aside, because the concert event in Rome in 2021 was announced.
Now, since there is no news, I resumed the translation and finished it, hoping to give you a breath of lightness and lightheartedness, in this period of viruses and contagions, which is hard for everyone.
It was nice for me to see so much joy and spontaneity in these three guys, just back from the victory in Sanremo.
Will these carefree times return?
Looking forward to a big event in June, enjoy watching and reading this video and tell me your impressions !!
Daniela
Credit to owners of all photos and videos.
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