Living the life of a nurse for a career is not a glamorous life to say the least. Shower, put on clean scrubs, fix hair and I’m on the floor for duty.
When I see photos of the preparations Piero, Ignazioand Gianlucahave to go through EVERY TIMEthey step on a stage I am thankful for the little prep it took me to pull off my gig every day.
To start with, take threeamazingly handsome Italiansand try to make them even better? Is it even legal? The make up artists and hair stylists that have the privilege of working with these guys do an outstanding job of doing just this. Many thanks to their great crew!
Didn’t Gianluca just turn 20 yesterday? What have I been doing for the last year?! Well, no matter; February 11, 2016 is exactly one month away, so it’s time to get your poetry loving brains percolating so you can write you birthday wishes! 😀
Please e-mail us your wishes (ilvoloflightcrw@outlook.com) by February 10. They will be included in a post for him to receive on his birthday. Since he’s going to be in the US touring during that time, it will be one of the many greetings he gets from the Flight Crew, I’m sure. 🙂
This photo shows what so many fans of Il Volo will be feeling this winter as the guys greet their adoring public in person. The words on the poster say it all….how close and personal we feel about them. The months and years that we have spent following their every move, watching their expressions, meeting their families, reveling in their success, immersing ourselves in their music, loving them as if they were our most intimate family members. And on the night of the concert we say, “BE OURS TONIGHT, for tonight you are ours alone.”
We know that they have a much larger calling, We have watched them develop from humble, small-town boys into world-wide celebrities. We wished for them the success that they have achieved, and yet it’s hard to let them go.
They got their start here in our country at Universal Studios, and we were charmed by their excitement at being in LA and recording there. They cut their teeth touring here, and we welcomed them with open arms and hearts. They seemed to belong to us even though they spoke our language with some difficulty and endearing accents.
Now we are part of a world-wide fan base, and we miss the intimacy that we once felt. Oh, they still love us. They have enough “fan love” for all. We can see that in their attitudes. And when we see them in concert this winter, we will be saying, “Be ours tonight,” for tonight we have you all to ourselves….and we will cherish every moment of this time with you. Because, Gianluca, Ignazio, and Piero you ARE OURS, and we will continue to love you, follow you, pray for you and wait longingly for you to come back to us.
Here is a comment I didn’t want you to miss. It’s a nice wrap-up from our newest Flight Crew Member, Bernard Duffy. ~M
Thank you Lynn, Jane and Marie for such a warm welcome! I hope to post on the site from time-to-time.
2015 was such a great year for Il Volo. During 2014, their accomplishments were coming more and more to the attention of the wider Italian population – thanks to certain TV presenters like Massimo Giletti (in his Sunday afternoon “magazine” show called “Domenica In”), Bruno Vespa (who presents the most important daily political and current affairs program, Porta-a-Porta, in the late evening) and of course, the incomparable Antonella Clerici, who was always available to praise the boys on any occasion. Then, there was Carlo Conti, who was given the task of organizing the Sanremo festival 2015 and persuaded the group to take part.
As everyone visiting this site already knows, “Grande Amore” really caught the imagination of a huge proportion of the Italian public – young and old, men and women – and the telephone vote made sure of their victory. It may not be clear to Americans, but Sanremo is a very “big deal” in Italy. The songs are performed in prime time all through the week from Tuesday to Saturday. Some are eliminated and some of those are then brought back under a process known as ripescaggio (which is the Italian translation of the French word “repechage”) and means literally “fished back” out of the elimination pool. It is a system that is also used in sport for giving losing competitors a second chance.
The grand final on Saturday evening is a great event in Italy’s cultural calendar. A number of other countries show it via the European Broadcasting Union, which also organizes the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC). On the Sunday, all of the most important programs on RAI Uno are broadcast live from Sanremo and there is endless analysis of the results, live performances of some of the songs, interviews with the prize-winners and speculation about whether the winners will take up their right to represent Italy at Eurovision. As you know, il Volo went to Vienna and were placed third in the ESC under the jury system; but, on the popular voting by telephone, they were a clear first with 100 points more than the second song! And, remember, no one living in Italy was able to vote for them. No telephone voter can vote for their own country’s song!
Their tour of Italy over the summer was sold out everywhere. Huge crowds turned out for personal appearances and promotional events at book and music stores. The tour culminated with the concert at the Arena of Verona. When introducing his aria – e lucevan le stelle – Piero called it, “the temple of opera” because of the summer season of opera performances that attract visitors from all over the world. During the broadcast of the concert on RAI Uno, the audience share broke records for the era of multiple channel and internet broadcasting. At its peak, they came close to 40% audience share for the whole of Italy!
I predict that 2016 will see even greater success for them. How lucky we all are to have them and to know that we were in on the “ground floor” while they were constructing the huge edifice that is their current success! We can all share in it on this site! As Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca put it, “Fasten your seat-belts and enjoy the flight!”
Best wishes to everyone!
~Barnard
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Just as I was getting ready to post this morning, we received another notable comment from Bernard. So I’ll add it too! ~M
I thought that some of you might like to read an English translation of the newspaper article that can be found at this link. IL VOLO IS AT ROSETO – PLAQUES AND PHOTOS BEFORE THE CONCERT. Gianluca Ginoble and Piero Barone greeted the children of the Le Orme (Footprints or Tracks) Center which had honored them with a plaque, and tomorrow evening, Wednesday 6 January, with Ignazio Boschetto, they will be at PalaMagetti for the concert that will open their Italian tour. ROSETO DEGLI ABRUZZI. The evening before the concert, a round of greetings and little surprises for Roseto. Thus, yesterday evening, Gianluca Ginoble (the “home town” singer) and Piero Barone, two of the three parts of the trio, il Volo, made a visit to the children of the “Le Orme of Roseto” association, where the autistic children, who are patients of the association, are housed and where they (il Volo) were honoured with a plaque. The other element of the threesome, Ignazio Boschetto, probably remained in his room at the Bellavista hotel of Roseto. The trio will appear on the very day of the Epiphany, 6 January, at 9.00 p.m., at PalaMagetti of Roseto, from where they will set off with the initial date of their Italian tour. A homage to the Abruzzo region from where, at the age of 16, Gianluca Ginoble (now aged 20) set out in search of success and fortune. Other concerts will be held in Sicily, the region of Piero and Ignazio. “I am really happy to return to Roseto, where every year I come to bathe in the sea and go to eat spaghetti with clams at Massimo’s (restaurant)” said the charming Piero Barone.
The heading for the video reads as follows: ROSETO, VISIT WITH HONOR CEREMONY FOR IL VOLO.
Roseto degli Abruzzi (province of Teramo), Honor ceremony and visit of Gianluca Ginoble and Piero Barone, singers from the trio Il Volo, at the center of the Le Orme association, where the singers received a plaque from the children. Photos and selfies on view from the opening date of the Italian tour in Gianluca’s home town. Piero: “Always happy to return to Roseto.”
Anticipation….a word that speaks of expected pleasure to come…a promise that something good is ahead. It urges us to think about what we have to look forward to with eager excitement.
Many of us are anticipating a wonderful experience this winter when our special young men will be gracing us with their presence again.
There is the anticipation of hearing the soft mellow tones of Gianluca’s velvet voice. Yes, those velvet tones come through on the CD’s, but are doubly enhanced when accompanied by his impish grin and twinkling eyes when he is seen in person. He has grown into a real charmer with glances that could melt a glacier. He’s even become graceful and adept at dance moves—something he found difficult in the early years.
Yes, we anticipate being charmed by our precious Gianluca.
We look forward to Ignazio’s anticipated antics…..his infectious grin and the affection he shows for his brothers.
We love his playfulness, but we know he isn’t all fun and games. He has a beautiful, well-trained voice, and he uses it magnificently. We have seen how much a part of the song he becomes emotionally in “Memories” and “Yo Te Amo.” Yes, we anticipate being enthralled by our magnificent Ignazio.
We eagerly anticipate Piero‘s appearance right before our eyes on stage with his compelling presence. And when his meraverglioso voice reaches the heights of his amazing range, soaring with power and breathtaking beauty, we are weak with the thrill of it. Yes, we anticipate soaring to musical heights with our wonderful Piero.
We anticipate having the time of our lives when confronted by the boys—theirstage presence, participationwith the audience, and interaction among themselves…the perfect blending of their amazing voices, their enthusiasm for the music, their enjoyment of being on stage and entertaining their fans.
Let’s relish the joy of anticipating this upcoming event whether it’s our first concert or one of several. In view of the world-wide popularity they have gained and the demands for personal appearances, we feel especially blessed that they are coming back to us–to the place where they started--to those who first realized their potential and loved them from the beginning.
It would be perfect if every one of our Flight Crew were going to be able to attend a concert this year, but sadly, that may not be happening. I sincerely hope that those who can’t will feel joy in anticipating the arrival of our dear young men back on tour in the USA. There will be reports and comments and videos for all to see. Somehow just knowing that they are HERE can make us happy.
So, here’s to ANTICIPATION: Knowing that something good lies ahead. Let’s enjoy the waiting time thinking of what a delicious treat we have in store.
~Mary
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
