I would like to have a couple of special photos I have, added to The Flight Crew. These are from my vacation in San Vito Lo Capo this month. When I went to Marsala to pick up my painting from Fabio Ingrassia, I had a special moment happen that was not planned!!!
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Ignazio, Alessandra & their dog Franz, happened to stop by Fabio & Maria’s while I was there!! I was already so excited to finally have my painting, so the timing could not have been more perfect!!
I also included the collage that has a pic of me with Nina at the Pizzeria that evening!!
MY IL VOLO CONCERT EXPERIENCE: It has been exactly two months (Thursday, March 17th) since I saw Il Volo at Majestic Theater in San Antonio (and also in Dallas on Saturday, March 19th). I’ve created several drafts, but haven’t been able to complete them. None of them seemed special enough, and to be honest, I’ve been in mourning; just wondering if and when I will ever be able to see Il Volo face to face again. It was just as everyone has said; all their videos are totally wonderful, but “Nothing”compares to seeing them LIVE.
A SHORT HISTORY: I first saw Il Volo on American Idol and fell in love immediately. I started looking everywhere for information, shows they might be on, YouTube videos and of course, fan clubs. I have followed them faithfully, viewed thousands of videos, performances on PBS, their first and second U.S. tours, Latin America, etc. One of the best, most fun and enjoyable discoveries was finding Il Volo Flight Crew! My salvation… “home” at last, where everyone was just like me! Obsessed, crazy in love with these three most adorable young Italian men, whose voices lifted me to Heaven, even though I could not understand a word they were singing (I’m so thankful for the recent translations being posted). I cannot go to sleep at night until I hear/view one, maybe ten – twenty of their music videos.
AND SO IT BEGAN: As soon as I heard about their latest North American Tour, I KNEW, I had to make plans to see them. I thought about Detroit, Florida, California or the big Las Vegas venue being planned. Although I live in Dallas,and they were coming to Dallas; I decided I did want more of a little get away, so when I saw the beautiful ornate San Antonio “small” theater, I knew that’s where I wanted to go (although the minute that concert was over, I thought I have to see them again when they are in Dallas, only two days later). I looked at the “who’s going where” list to see what Flight Crew sisters might be attending the San Antonio concert, there was only one: Dorothy Henderson, along with her daughter, Jennifer Roberts. Perfect, just what I needed too, and asked my daughter, Angela Hranicky – who was not a fan “at that time” (more on that later), to drive down with me. I watched closely for what day the tickets went on sale; Jumped online as soon as they did and got FRONT Row seats!!It was a LONG seven months wait from August to March 17th!
THE CONCERT: We had a nice leisure drive down Wednesday afternoon, but I was so excited, I could barely sleep that night. We stayed at the Sheraton/Gunter Hotel, which was right across the street from the Majestic; and I did request a window view of the theater. So all day Thursday, the day of the concert, I kept looking down to see if I could see Il Volo going in for rehearsal. No luck. We went out for a few hours, walking the beautiful San Antonio Riverwalk, full of restaurants & gift shops, then took a calming riverboat ride and had a nice lunch. We took a trolley back to hotel around 3pm…I knew I had to rest a little and have Plenty of time to get ready. I wore a sparkly green pant suit – in honor of St. Patricks’ Day! We were ready by 6pm (concert at 7:30), but when I looked out the window, there was ALREADY a line! It was all the fans waiting to get in for Meet & Greet passes, so we hurried down and thankfully when the doors opened, the line moved quickly. While at the M&G table, I turned around and noticed a woman wearing the Flt. Crew badge; I said are you Dorothy? It was her daughter, Jennifer, with Dorothy right behind her. It was so much fun to chat with them. I had brought a present for the guys: M&M’s with a candy dispenser for each of them, which a M&G person took from me and said they’d give it to the guys. I was glad I didn’t have to keep up with the big bag, but disappointed I didn’t get to personally give it to them. I had white M&M’s printed with their names, Gianluca, Piero, Ignazio and Il Volo; red M&M’s with words: Love – as Il Volo is, Romantic – how Gianluca sings, Explosive – how Piero sings, and Passion(ate) – how Ignazio sings, then brought several bags at Christmas of red, white & green Crunchy M&M’s to mix in for the colors of Italy’s Flag. Crazy huh! Finally, the long walk down to our front row seats (Dorothy & Jen were right behind us, we exchanged Facebook contacts & chat frequently now). As soon as Grande Amore music started playing and the lights went down, I was in a trance. Then there they were; so handsome, funny, and their voices so beautiful and more powerful than can be described: I was in heaven the whole evening. I do love each of them for their own special personalities and magnificent voices, but have to confess: Ignazio’s voice, his eyes and forever smile, just makes my heart do flips! I had watched a few of the videos from their other concerts and knew it was close to the end when they started singing Surrender, so with tears in my eyes I was trying to enjoy every note and every move on that stage: All of sudden I looked up and Piero was dancing on stage right in front of me, he locked eyes with me, jumped down from the stage, grabbed my hand, pulled me up and started dancing with me (while I am praying “Please God don’t let me fall!”) What a delightful incredible experience. Also, by the end of concert, my daughter, Angela, is now so definitely a huge fan.
THE MEET & GREET: The guys were so sweet to everyone, and I anxiously awaited my turn; intending to tell each of them how much I love their music and, of course, to give Ignazio the biggest, tightest hug possible. I just froze and only said Hi, but DID manage to give a kiss to each side of Ignazio’s cheeks. Sigh………… Then they clicked my picture with them. It was over too too fast.
My daughter was next and she walked right up and hugged Gianluca (I believe he makes her heart flutter a bit). She now understands my obsession. We ended the night joining Dorothy & Jennifer for drinks at the hotel bar. What fun.
DALLAS CONCERT: Again took my daughter, who was just as eager as I was to see them again. We had second row seats. Their performance was even more exciting, beautiful and overwhelming as our first concert had been two nights before in San Antonio. I stayed in the moment, was in heaven again,swooning & swaying to their indescribable magnificent voices. I brought another gift; just one single Yellow Rose for Ignazio (letting him know I’m forever HIS Yellow Rose of Texas), which I gave to him after “Unchained Melody”. He looked right into my eyes, smiled the sweetest smile and allowed me to again kiss each cheek! A memory I’ll forever cherish. Too soon they were singing the final song “Grande Amore” while my teardrops flowed.
MEET & GREET TWO: I saw Barbara and asked if the boys had shared their M&M’s with her; she said they shared them with everyone, including the band. That tickled me. I “STILL” did not tell the guys how much their music means to me, what joy & comfort their beautiful voices bring to me every day. All I said was Hi, I hope you enjoyed the M&M’s(have no idea if they knew I meant from San Antonio concert). I did manage to give Gian & Piero a hug, plus AGAIN kissed Iganazio’s cheeks. Sighing……..forever! Angela again hugged up Gianluca.
THE END:No this story has no ending, as I’m still obsessed, still listening, watching all the latest videos, reading the latest news from Il Volo Flight Crew, and WILL forever.
In closing, I want to share a couple of song titles and phrases to help describe my experience and what Il Volo means to me: “I HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE”….No, I never felt like this before. Yes, I swear, it’s the truth and I owe it all to you. “YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS”… no one could ever miss you, not half as much as me. The Yellow Rose of Texas will be yours forever more.
“YOU LIGHT UP MY LIFE”…so many nights, I sit by my window, waiting for someone to sing me his song. So many dreams I’ve kept deep inside me, alone in dark, but now you’ve come along. “MEMORIES” ….all alone in the moonlight, I dream of the old days, life was beautiful then. Just so perfect that Ignazio sings this. I believe it describes the exact reason Il Volo is so adored by all of us. Their music brings back our memories; all those feelings of love, romance and when we were beautiful then. Of course, we still have beauty, but it flows so much deeper now….into our souls. Il Volo IS LOVE.
Lots of words could be used todescribe the faces of the men of IlVolo...strong, masculine, sexy, handsome, expressive. But the one that so often comes to my mind is SWEET. Now they might not appreciate that one. They would probably prefer one that is more macho. But to me it is the greatest compliment. SWEET imbibes tender, caring, trustworthy…someone youwould like to know…invites closeness and trust.
Now I know that they aren’t always sweet. They are human. They have their times of not-so-sweet emotions, but the point is that when they do lookSWEET, it’s the SWEETEST ever.
When do they show that expression?
With parents and grandparents…
With fans and children
Think of Ignazio with the puppy kiss…how SWEET was that? And when the little girl sang Volare with them, bringing GG to tears with his sweetness? Piero touching his heart as he gazed at the audience after a standing ovation?
There are probably dozens of examples of theirSWEET expressions, but you get it…they give new meaning toSWEET. And don’t confuseSWEET with “namby-pamby.” It takes a strong man to be comfortable with SWEET. It says, “I am confident enough in my masculinity that I can show a softer side.”
Eurovision 2016 is over. We hardly knew it was happening. Remember last year? We were eagerly watching every moment! We held our breaths! They were great! We were proud!
We saw a video of their performance yesterday. Here is a compilation, you’ll enjoy!
Time flies so quickly. Sometimes I feel like it was just yesterday. After Eurovision boys have experienced a lot of success, such as the Italian summer tour, released new album in three versions, appeared in a number of show programs, and this year perform around the world…
So a little small remembrance of Eurovision. What I wrote before the contest….
My winner is Il Volo, have beautiful voices, they are making the kind of music that I love, in my opinion, these three boys are the best and should win.
I wish them good luck in the final ! 🙂 For me, they are winners, beautiful song, beautiful voices and especially I feel that when they sing, so sing their souls and always put into singing their whole heart and pure emotions. Their music and singing are able to reach, caress people’s hearts and evoke different feelings and strong emotions. For example, my mom, when she listens to their songs, she cries and I have goosebumps from their singing. When sounds Grande Amore, so I imagine how our Earth is all coated with a vibrating red heart full of love that spreads to all sides and above our Earth are placed a protective angel wings. Music can also create visual sensations in our minds. 🙂 All-embracing love is the eternal essence of life and light that leads our souls on the way of goodness and beauty. I wish to the group Il Volo a lot of success in their future career, many good songs :-), fulfillment of all their dreams and especially, to stay still modest, kind, humble and gentle people with a heart in the right place. 🙂
#AskEurovision for Il Volo What do you expect from Eurovision? Do you think it will move your career in an interesting way?
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Simplicity is beauty, good singers with beautiful voices and with beautiful emotional song need no lavish show. Music should be perceived primarily through the ears, soul and heart. In today’s world many singers are not real artists, they make music only as a business, they are only ”money makers”, sing often on playback and they have huge and extravagant shows, but forget on the most important things, which are beautiful songs, beautiful voice and singing, and emotions that the singer puts into his performance. These things can make from them great real artists, not just dancing “mouth openers”, because the music is the mission and expression of love of life, nature, people.., mediation of emotions. There is no old music, only good and bad music.:-) It is not important whether singer is handsome or not, but important is his voice, his love of singing and music, his passion and joy that he gives into songs, humility, modesty, and mainly charisma and spark in the way of communication through his music. Il Volo music has divine power. 🙂 Carla, one of Il Volo fan, wrote : “This is the greatness of the real art: to transform human into divine!”, I agree with her, we have the same feelings, when we listen to Il Volo, they are really great ARTISTS . 🙂 Buona fortuna, ragazzi ! For me, you are winners, no matter at what place you end up in the finals. Let Grande amore prevail !♡❤❦
I wrote after Eurovision:
Il Volo demonstrated outstanding performance! They won the hearts of people across Europe and this is the most important! The whole evening I was looking forward to Il Volo, their performance was the highlight of the evening, a fantastic experience, for me THEY ARE THE BEST AND MY WINNERS! I believe that they will take from this show only positive things and good memories I think that Eurovision was a good experience for them, gained many new fans in Europe and introduced people to their beautiful music, I believe that their career will be successful.
Televoting winners are Italians, so in fact they are the real winners, because people chose them and Grande Amore triumphed ! <3
So now Eurovision is the pastand in front of Il Volo are many new challenges, events, concerts, and achievements and let us hope that also many successful years. 🙂 What does the future hold? Who knows ?…But let’s be always patient, optimistic, supportive, loving and loyal fans. :-).I believe that their stars will shine brightly and clearly on the musical heaven forever ! <3
Lydka
Memories in photos:
VIENNA, AUSTRIA – MAY 17: Gianluca Ginoble, Ignazio Boschetto and Piero Barone of Italy pose prior to a meet and greet with the press ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 on May 17, 2015 in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by Nigel Treblin/Getty Images)
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Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
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