Tag Archives: Gianluca

Happy 21st Birthday, Gianluca!!!

February 11, 2016 Kelly 23 Comments

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY, GIANLUCA!!!!

Music by Joe Hisaishi

“Birthday” ~ Freedom Piano Stories 4

WISH YOU A FANTASTIC BIRTHDAY AND SUCCESS ON YOUR 2016 TOUR. GINA FROM TEXAS

Hi Gianluca,
Just wanted to be one of your fans to wish you a Very Happy 21st Birthday!!! Also wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your concert in Orillia on Sunday especially when you sang to my Granddaughter and how wonderful it was to meet you after the Concert, I have been following you since you were only 14 and can’t believe you are 21 already. I hope you can enjoy celebrating with family and friends who are travelling with you and I’m sure there will be an even bigger celebration with family and friends when you return home.
wishing great fun touring and keeping safe on your travels, all the best for the future and hope to see you again in the Toronto area, you have a lot of fans here in Canada.
Love and best wishes,
Annie Hatfield

Gianluca, your warm heart and magnificent voice inspire and uplift my life each day. May you have a beautiful birthday, truly feeling the love, gratitude, and admiration we have for you. I look forward to delivering your birthday hug March 25th in person! 😊 ✨Amore,
Jeanine DuBois

Gianluca——–your so fortunate to have so many lifes experiences at such a young age!!!
Seeing the world and meeting people from all over the world.
Keep up the good work with your 2 buddies.
I will be seeing you guys at the fanclub convention and concert in las vegas march 25
also, at the pechanga casino near temeculah
Look forward to meeting you guys
Big Bad John from Palm Springs, CA

Happy 21st Birthday to you, Gianluca!
Another big milestone in your life is achieved, with many more to come. Have a wonderful day!
Linda Dawson

Happy Birthday, Gianluca! 21 is a BigOne! We haven’t met, but I’m changing that on March 17 in San Antonio, Texas! Sincerely, one of your Nonna fans! Give your Mom and Dad a big hug and thank them for me….Dorothy Henderson. ..♡♡♡♡

To our adorable, sweet Italian prince, Gianluca,

Sincere birthday greetings. May you have a wonderful day. I hope you are enjoying your visit here. Stay warm. You are always in my prayers. I pray that the Good Lord keeps you safe and grants you good health and happiness. No matter how old you get I will still call you three “the boys”. Love you. ~ Phyllis Fenton

Happy happy birthday, Gianluca❤️Enjoy your time in the USA. Stat safe warm and happy. You are so loved. God bless you and your flight brothers❤️❤️❤️ ~ Teresa Carosi

Happy 21st Birthday Gianluca!
Celebrate it with as many family and friends as you can gather while on the road.
Don’t forget the cake, ice cream and of course Nutella. Maybe a cake made of Nutella?
Best wishes today and always,
Angelica Rosas
Las Vegas, NV

Dear Gianluca,
Happy 21st birthday!! Have a wonderful day!! Hope this year brings more honors, awards, joy & happiness for you!! Your voice singing the beautiful new songs has given me much pleasure! Thank you! I am still very sick but the new album & Live From Pompeii always brighten my days!!
Sending love & best wishes,
Your English fan, Marlene Hoatland

Dearest Gianluca,

You are a very special person and a gift to the whole wide world!! You spread your Grande Amore wherever you go with you sweet, compassionate heart, beautiful smiles and warm hugs which you so freely bestow on all of us who are fortunate enough to be within arms length!!

Everyday, my world is a happier place because of you and your magnificent baritone voice that I listen to all day long in the car, in the house on my iPad, and very soon, at five concerts!!! Yay!!!

Although I know you miss your father and brother, I am delighted that at least your beautiful mother is here to celebrate your very special birthday with you! Have a GREAT 21st Birthday!!!

Joan Brenin

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY GIANLUCA! YOU ARE COURTEOUS, KIND TO CHILDREN, FANS, AND
FAMILY. ADD TO THAT YOU ARE HANDSOME, ADORABLE, AWESOME, AND SO PLEASING TO THE EYE. YOUR STYLE, VOICE, PASSION FOR MUSIC AND TALENT MAKES THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE YOUR PARENTS PRIDE AND JOY FOR YOU.
GOD’S BLESSINGS FOR YOUR FUTURE AND ALWAYS. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MY FIRST LIVE CONCERT
MARCH 20. I CAN HARDLY WAIT ! !
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 21ST BIRTHDAY ! ! !

Gale Wall

Dear Gianluca, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Started making 21st birthday wishes yet? Don’t forget to wish for more love, peace and happiness than you and the world will ever need. Tons of love and God Bless,

Ineke from KwaZuluNatal, SA.

Tanti Auguri Gianluca! It has been such an amazing year for you, Piero and Ignazio and for all your loving fans. Can’t forget your last birthday when you brought the audience to their feet after singing “Grande Amore” at SanRemo. It was fantastic and I am so happy they acknowledged that you were the best. I absolutely love all the new albums and play them constantly and it has been a great pleasure to see the videos of the beautiful concerts during the summer and now this past January. It is just wonderful that your beloved Italia realized how talented and beautiful you are and has returned your “Grande Amore”. Thank you for all the beautiful music and giving so much joy and happiness. It is so beautiful to see how loving and caring you are with your family, friends and fans. Looking forward to seeing you in Easton, Pa. God bless you and all your loved ones!

Love, Margaret Ladolcetta

Caro Gianluca,
Buon Compleanno!! 21 Anno!! Have a Wonderful Day!! 2016 looks like it will be another great year for you!! The new Concert music is fantastic! What I have seen of your solos & duets are so beautiful!! Thank you so much for the pleasure & joy your amazing voice with your Italian charm has brought into my life! Looking forward to seeing you at FC Fan Faire in Vegas, Dolby Theatre, LA & San Jose Concert!! Tanti Auguri!! Anne Quinto

Happy Birthday, Gianluca! May God bless you with many, many more!You are an amazing young man! GRANDE AMORE!

Charles and Anna Breeding
Lafayette, Tn

Buon Compleanno, Gianluca. I wish you a very Special
Birthday and continued success in your career. You have a silky voice
that would melt any woman’s heart, especially mine! Enjoy and be happy
always. God Bless You. Much love, Victoria Litizeto

Happy 21st. Birthday, Gianluca. May all your birthdays bring you happiness. You have brought so much of it to peoples around the World who have admired your beautiful voice since it first enchanted us when you were fourteen. We know how hard you all work and the sacrifices you have made but may the blessings ever flow.
With love, Lesley Newall, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Hey Baby! Happy Birthday! Thank you so much for all the great music and good luck to you and Piero and Ignazio! You are such a nice guy and you are very dear to us here on the Flight Crew blog. When you visit us please know you’ve come home!
Love you!
Lynn K

Gianluca,

Have a wonderful birthday with family and friends this year! You deserve it!!🎂

I have watched you mature over the years since you appeared in the early video singing “O Solo Mio” with Piero and Ignazio with the orchestra on the side of a hill in Italy. Someone sent me that video, and it was love at first sight for me! I listen to your music daily, and it brings me so much joy.

You are such a wonderful role model for the young people all over the world in the way that you treat your fans and care for the less fortunate who love your attention. You make your family and fans very proud by the way that you live.

Thank you for all of your hard work and bringing your tour back to TEXAS this year. We live 40km north of Austin, and have front row tickets along with Meet and Greet afterwards!😍 My birthday is that week so I am really looking forward to the concert and seeing you guys again.
(My husband and I followed you to Boston and Nashville after attending our first concert in Houston several years ago)

Texas grandmother who prays for you,
Brenda Hall

A very, very Happy Birthday from Minnesota, Gianluca! See you in March at the FanFaire in Las Vegas! Allene Shipman

Allene Shipman

May All Your Dreams Come True ~ Happy 21st Gianluca ~ And May God Bless You Too!
See You In Easton Pa. Grande Amore, Nona Pat

“When once you have tasted flight,
you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward,
for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” ~Leonardo Da Vinci
Dear Gianluca:
Most of us celebrate our 21st birthday as a “coming of age”. You have already accomplished that and stand on the threshold of a lifetime of flight with your music. There is no better name for your three voices than “Il Volo” – for you are flying high above the crowd.

I thank God for your talent.
I thank your parents for your upbringing.
I thank you for your willingness to share yourself with us!
Godspeed and fly high, dear one.
LindaP
Texas

Happy 21st Birthday, Gianluca! May your heart and soul be filled with the same joy as you give to all of us.

Love from Minnesota,

Jane

Dear Gianluca – Just want to wish you the happiest of birthdays. Always remain as sweet and sensitive as you are today. The sign of a real man is the fact that he can show his emotions. You have the most beautiful voice – I love listening to you. I cannot wait to see you on February 13 in Atlantic City and again on February 21 in Easton. Also, I think your Martina is adorable – happiness to both of you. ~ Camille Greco

My Dear Gianluca,
Thank You for allowing me the joy of watching you grow both personally and professionally.

Buon 21st!

See You soon!!!

~Marie Crider

Happy Birthday Gianluca. Viva abruzzzo! ~ Antonella Carriero

Buon Complianno. Finally 21 has come at last. Have a wonderful day with family and friends and may there be many more birthdays to come. ~ Marion

Happy 21th Birthday Gianluca. May your life always bring you much happiness. You are truly are a lovely young man with big heart. ~ Jeanne Thomas

Gianluca,

DSCN0308 - marie Kelly - Lucky Girl! 2014 Summer Concert Tour. Elgin Il - after the concert at the fence with Kelly - Marie — *DSCN0308 – marie*
*Kelly – Lucky Girl! 2014 Summer Concert Tour. Elgin Il – after the concert at the fence with Kelly – Marie*

Happy 21st Birthday! I hope being with your mom, your Il Volo family and your loving North American fans make this special birthday, particularly memorable!

I can’t make it to as many shows as some of the others, but I can’t wait to see you in Vegas!

Always,

Kelly

Editorials, Gianluca, Ignazio, Il Volo, Piero

The Color of Their Wings…

February 10, 2016 Jana 64 Comments

We all know change is difficult to accept. Yes, Il Volo started out as the 3 Tenorini, these 3 little tenors dressed up like adults because they sang music only old people knew and liked. The beautiful bel canto music of Italy. But we forget that they were boys dressed up like men. We wanted them to stay the cute, innocent, and cherubic-faced lads we grew to love – for some, love at first sight (or sound!) But time moves on and things change. The world is constantly moving, the universe in perpetual motion, if everything just stopped, we would all die.

The air we breathe, our own heartbeat, our very being is in constant flux. To quote the ancient philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus, “The only thing constant is change!” Our three young guys were just caterpillars feeding and feeding off of the fans, growing and growing fatter each day, nourished by our encouragement and constant praise, their very essence being shaped by our devotion to them until finally they were ready to make and form their own chrysalis, where they’ve been for the last several years, constantly growing and changing right before our eyes. In front of everyone, we watched them change from inside the ever protective watch of their parents and families. Many things we saw and yet some things changed without our realizing it. When Sanremo came around, that was when they started to emerge from their metamorphosis, their wings getting more color each day, each week, and month, that went by, on their way to Eurovision – then it really happened. Their wings burst forth and they flew for the very first time. I can still hear the crescendo of their wings on the last chorus of Grande Amore! Their wings were still a bit wet, but they learned to fly stronger and stronger each day. During their flight they ran into enemies and feared for those that wanted to eat them. They fed on the nectar of the crowds from their sold out concerts. Their wings getting a bit battered along the way; yet still staying strong and floating on the wind, as they traversed over the world with their successes.

We hope their flight will be long and never changing, but their flight paths will change with the wind, their fans may come and go, but still they will fly on, always seeking the energy from their fans that keep them going – young, old; tried and true. They will be who they are, their colors will not change. A little battered and bruised along the way, but they will find their destination, landing briefly on our hearts; staying forever in our souls, as they migrate the world in search of their needed and constant approval of themselves and from those that they love.

There are two quotes I found on the Internet, simply entitled “butterfly quotes and proverbs” and I think they depict our guys quite well…

“How does one become a butterfly? You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.”

“Butterflies can’t see their wings. They can’t see how beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that.”

They certainly gave up being caterpillars. With their first notes of “O Sole Mio,” they started changing into butterflies; giving up many things…in order to soar to unbelievable heights.

Beautiful? Our guys are so beautiful inside, as well as outside; and sometimes I really don’t think they know…?

♦ Il Volo – Sempre, per sempre,♦

Jana ♥

p.s. thank you to Marie, for the beautifully suggested title of this post…

Concert Photos/Reviews, Gianluca, Ignazio, Il Volo, Our Stories, Piero

Penina and the Canadian Italians

February 9, 2016 mariecrider 35 Comments

Penina’s story is next, but first I have to add these photo’s of Loretta and Ignazio at the concert the other night.

Loretta sent them to me 5 times, two were duplicates. Then she sent them to Lynn and asked Lynn to send them to me in case her’s didn’t go through. I’m afraid if I don’t post them she’ll send them again! Guess what she wrote on my email subject line? “Save these to your computer.”

OK Loretta, I got ’em. Here they are and they’re absolutely wonderful! Darn!

~M

Now, Penina at the concert:

The audience in Orillia was about 90% Italians. And not just Italians, but Italian speaking Italians! Someone in the crowd early on shouted to the guys to speak Italian. Which they eventually did, to my regret, as I missed the best joke of the night–because Ignazio said it in Italian.

I have to concur with Jill about the lights and the music accompaniment. The lights were a real problem, they glared, they washed out, and even worse, they moved. Just as you framed a picture, a light would wash the whole thing out. I really think where you sit will have a big determining factor on the quality of pictures you get–and there is no knowing ahead of time whether you are in a good seat for pictures or not. All of my pictures save one was washed out by lights. A fellow two seats over got great pictures. The quality of the photographers certainly had some part in this! (lol) But I refuse to believe that is the sole reason my pictures were a flop.

Very little new was sung that wasn’t an English song. The new songs in Italian listed on the Buffalo playlist (Si Me Falta Tu Mirada, L’amore Si Muove, and La Vida) were not sung. Neither was Core N’Grato to my great disappointment. On the other hand they did do Beautiful that Way and Eternally. And instead of La Vida they did Surrender. So there was a lot of old stuff here, mixed in with some new, although the only new songs outside of the duets in Italian was L’immensita, Piove and Grande Amore.

Me & Ignazio — Someone gave the guys these little hats. Gian took his off after the picture with this lady–he was worried about his hair, if what he did after he took it off is any indication! He spent the next few minutes finger combing it and fiddling around with it. Piero took his off after a little while, but Ignazio kept his on.

There was a good deal of funny stuff, with Ignazio doing his Godfather routine, and demanding Piero kiss his hand with the ring coming at the introduction to My Way. Another funny interlude came with Piero trying to introduce Ignazio when he was about to sing Memory. However most of this dialogue was in Italian. I forgot to say, Ignazio’s mom, Caterina Boschetto was sitting directly across the aisle from me! She sneaked in after the show started and I didn’t see her come in. I noticed she was there somewhere during the program, and when Ignazio said whatever it was he said that convulsed everyone, she put her hands over her face, and shook with laughter. I wanted to say hello to her after the show, but she left the way she came–before the show was 100% over, and I didn’t see her leave.

Lousy picture of me and ignazio — Lousy picture of me and Gianluca

The meet and greet was very different! We were all herded into a space they set up in the end of the hallway outside the concert hall by blocking off a section with a big divider backdrop thing. The photographer got us to make a big circle and he told us he would take pictures quickly, one after another, and once the pictures were done, the boys would be available to talk to us informally. The line went around, people gave quick hugs, kisses, handshakes, etc. lined up and took the pictures. What was nice about it was you saw everyone’s interactions with the guys.

There was one little old Italian grandmother with her granddaughter who had everyone in stiches. After the group picture the granddaughter wanted a picture with them by herself and she tried to shoo her grandmother away. But grandma was having too good of a time and wouldn’t leave. Finally the photographer told her she should leave and she said she would leave if she could take Ignazio with her! After all the picture taking the boys just waded into the crowd, answering questions, getting hugged, taking selfies, etc. I managed to get selfies with all three of them! Piero was holding forth in a little circle of people when I came along he was telling someone about the rigors of the schedule and how happy he was his father was able to come along with him. “He brings me breakfast in bed! He makes me pasta! I would never be able to stand such a long schedule if he weren’t here with me.” Such a sweetie! And then he broke some very interesting news. He said they are doing a concert on July 1 (which I have already seen advertisements for) that will be a very special concert. Apparently July 1 is the anniversary (20th? don’t remember) of the 3 tenors first concert and Il Volo is doing a tribute concert to them, and Placido Domingo is going to be the conductor.

And he said, you are the first to know this–no one else knows! And he said it would be an international concert. Whatever that means! It sounds amazing.

And with that, time was up and all three left the area and we all went home.

~Penina

Editorials, Gianluca, Ignazio, Il Volo, Personally Speaking, Piero

Waiting for Ignazio ~ Mary Bohling

February 7, 2016 mariecrider 19 Comments

Don’t they look disgruntled? They have arrived in Canada and can’t find Ignazio….he has disappeared again!!

Gianluca looks worried! That Igna just wanders off without telling them, and he should know how they worry when they don’t know where he is! Piero doesn’t know whether to kiss him or kill him when he turns up. Is he just being funny or did he accidentally (or on purpose) wander away? Piero isn’t sure what to think. His dad is obviously very upset. Being a father and somewhat responsible for watching out for the boys in Canada, he is carrying a load of responsibility. The guitar player seems the least upset. He might actually welcome a respite from all of the head massaging and hanging on that Igna likes to tease him with during a performance. The last guy might be a passerby that just thought it would be nice to sit down and join this group.

Well, whatever is going on, Ignazio is sure to turn up sometime. Just hope it’s in time for the concert. They really couldn’t do without him. Maybe they need to put a bell on him like in the story of belling the cat. He surely is hard to keep track of. C’mon, Ignazio–have some consideration for the rest of the guys..stay with the group and BEHAVE—Oh right, I’m talking about Ignazio. Maybe behaving is out of the question. We love you, Igna, please don’t scare us by getting lost.

“It’s okay, folks…This is just in fun–not a news flash.”

~Mary

Concert Photos/Reviews, Gianluca, Ignazio, Il Volo, Piero

View From the 2nd Row in Buffalo~ Jill

February 7, 2016 mariecrider 32 Comments

Lighting and sound was a bit of an issue. The lights blinded us from seeing them at time and the orchestra’s sound, though incredible, was overpowering at some parts.

Some people who weren’t at the concert said the videos showed a rather subdued crowd. I will agree, there weren’t girls rushing the stage and singing along. Personally, I like that. I went to hear and see them perform, not to hear other people sing. I think we had an older-than-me (47) crowd overall. I’m not sure if the concert was sold out. I’m thinking it wasn’t as my niece decided to go at noon and got tickets. I’m hoping that even if it wasn’t, they won’t cross Buffalo off their list for their next tour.

Ignazio forgot his belt! I think he forgot to come in during one of the earlier songs because there was silence and GG and PB just looked at him. He also didn’t go for those high notes in Grande Amore. I can’t blame him, those are some hard-work notes. I was so impressed with his duet with Piero, I have never heard him sing with such power.

Piero is definitely the Power House. I’m not picking on him at all because I truly adore him, just were some things I noticed. Piero seemed to be the receiver of the audience – from a woman who approached the stage who wanted (and got) a hug to a little girl showing her poster, to me who gave the candy, it was Piero who received. Oh my goodness, he blew me a kiss and shook my hand! I hope they actually tried the candy and shared it with Barbara, her name was on the box, too! I also shook Gianluca’s hand. He looks much smaller and cuter in person and so close up. The last time I saw him was a hotel and he was beat. Anyway, Iganzio was playful as always and I just love their interactions with each other.

At times I closed my eyes just to listen and fully absorb their sound without the distraction of their good looks!

A few notes (not sure if you read them on Facebook), if you want a mug ($15) get it early. We were there about 1.5 hours before the concert started and they only had 6 left. The women’s t-shirts run small. I bought an XXL v-neck thinking it would be big but it is big on the top but so tight in the boobs (can I write that?) and belly that I can only wear this at home. The t-shirt has their picture but no dates on the back and came in grey or white for $25. They had the unisex/men’s regular cut shirts with the concert listing on the back. They also sold pins for $5, their cd and the Pompeii dvd for $20.

Nobody prevented us from taking photos or videos (at least nobody that I was near). The M&G in Buffalo was nice, not too rushed. They had time for a Q&A though it’s only what I heard. Evidently the M&G was sold out in the first hour so I don’t feel too bad about not getting them. I had an aisle seat in the 2nd row which was great. I’ll save up for the M&G for the next time they are in town, though there are two available in Albany and I’m tempted….anyone going? I’d be sitting by myself which is okay. I think that’s all the news from the concert.

I loved it and am so happy that I could see them in my home city. The last time I had my chorus concert and ended up seeing them in New Jersey but that was okay, I saw them in our hotel while in my pajamas and that’s a cool story. The most important thing to remember when going to the concert is to enjoy every moment. The videos are nice as are the pictures and I took plenty but I also put my phone away for a bit so I could really focus on them and being in the moment.

~Jill

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