Tag Archives: Gianluca

General news, Il Volo

Edgar Cortazar…Speechless ~ Daniela

36 Comments

Hello Everyone,

Perhaps you’ve already seen this message EDGAR CORTAZAR wrote MAS QUE AMOR.

These gestures make us realize how big they are, our kids, in this case Gianluca.

This has since posted Cortazar while in L.A.:

“I want to share with you that today I was speechless when one of the trio members with whom I shared so many recordings and experiences, since they were children, he found time to make me an unexpected phone call and invite me to one of the most important concerts of their careers, telling me that – thanks to songs in Spanish and English that I recorded for them – over seven years and more than 9 discs along with other composers – have achieved international success and today are presented alongside Placido Domingo at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Thanks Gian! Your humility is noteworthy! Thanks Il Volo!

It was a great honor to be part of your musical history with Mark Portmann.”

~Edgar Cortazar



Edgar Cortazar … a contemporary poet nominated three times al Latin Grammy, Latin Grammy winner 2006 as a composer of
Mexican Regional Song of the Year and winner of four awards during the BMI 2007, 2008 and 2009. 
More… https://twitter.com/EdgarCortazar1

~Daniela

Il Volo Professional, Official Videos

Il Volo Professional – Il Volo’s Official Tour Car/Photo Shoot/Italian TV

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il volo car

Il Volo is on the move again, this time to Bologna!  They are doing a photo shoot and they were also at Audi Zentrum Bologna to retrieve their tour cars.  By the looks of the writing on the side of the cars, Audi Zentrum is the official Il Volo car for the Italian/European Notte Magica Tour.  Enjoy!

Gianluca on the way to Bologna.  Lucky Bologna!

to Balogna Gianluca selfie 4/8/17 Audizentrim photo shoot 4/8/17
balogna Gianluca selfie 4/8/17 at Audizentrim Balogna
Pictures/video courtesy of @audizentrum

Bettinoni1

bett7 Piero Balogna Audizentrim Dealership 4/8/17
bett6 Gianluca Balogna Audizentrim Dealership 4/8/17
betts5 Ignazio Balogna at Audizentrim Dealership 4/17/17
Bett4 Piero Balogna Auidizentim Dealership 4/8/17
Bett Gianluca Balogna Audizentrim Dealership 4/8/17
bett2 Ignazio – Audizentrim Dealership 4/8/17

 

With the boss man!

bett9

With the General Director of AudiZentrum Bologna

bett8

Bye bye – see you throughout Europe!

 

Getting ready for a photo shoot for a commercial for Giessegi furniture!  I wouldn’t mind having these three as my home furnishing accessories.  You?

gian
Courtesy of @fdloto_iv
From the Giessegi Store Bologna website:

“A special meeting in #giessegi store! It’s gonna be the beginning of a new adventure together? Soon we will reveal all the details of this meeting, come and discover the great surprises on all the furniture #giessegi, only in the store officers!”

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Thank you, Lisa Joy and Il Volo Sicilia, for sharing the following videos.

 

 

Daniela sent the following rough translations of the videos.  This just gives us an idea of what is going on.  Please pay attention to what Gianluca is saying at the end of the first video.  They will be recording for an important Italian TV show (see below).

Translation first video
G = We are live. A beautiful girl has put so many hearts.
Here we are, there are many people.
 
T = What do you think of the sultan who has 21 wives?
 
G = The Sultan has 21 wives? He is number one.
We have finished a day of filming, will see some good.
Piero, Piero, Piero you want to see?
(Piero looks and smiles, Gianluca is reading the display).
Hello from Hollywood ……. Michael, hello from Malta, Russia, Croatia ….. want to speak in English or Spanish?
T = What is this thing?
 
G = we live ……. Romania, Brazil, Honduras, ….. (someone calls to take a group photo) …. Daddy you reprove, rebuke us.
 
E = Gianluca images not.
 
(Everyone starts posing and someone calls … Ignatius Ignatius Ignatius …)
 
I = (from afar) You wanted to take a picture without me? ……. (everyone laughs)
 
G = The photo with the crew, love, greet, greet here are a lot of people (embraces the make-up artists …… more photos, cheers …. Gian takes his cell phone in hand)
We ‘video, we live, from around the world are watching us, from Venezuela, from Honduras, from Russia, from America, from around the world, you see? From Greece, my brother is in Greece now, how nice …… (looking Ignatius making a photo with a girl), selfies time.
(Reply to a message) hello, how are you Fracann, see you soon in Panama, say hello to your family, please. (Speaking in English)
Greetings from Fabriano, see you in Ancona is fine (is reading messages), Poland, hello Grove,
You want something to eat? Here again there is something.
A banana? An Orange? what do you want?
That’s my father, greet him, he is my father, this is Ignazio Boschetto with Catherine’s mother.
Natali You like when I speak Italian (he says it in Spanish)
From Japan, even Japan.
However, now I have to go, I have to change, otherwise my father gets upset, because we do later, we’re going to Rome, and tomorrow we have the recordings of an important Italian program, do not say anything, you’ll find out very soon …… ..I am changing ….. a moment dads do not get mad, hello ….. there strucchiamo?
Hello to all.
***************
Second Video
G = We give a greeting to all the people who are watching us.
Here I am, I serve you?
 
operator. = put yourself in that position I make you a close-up while you continue to write and to my way …… are you recording? ….. my way you look at him (Piero) going through skateboarding .
 
G = Okay
 
= operator but you’re for live?
 
G = is, you can not?
 
operator = why not? live on IL VOLO.
———————————-
thisjustin.jpg

Il Volo will be guests at FRIENDS on Channel 5.

These are the articles that talks about it.
The episode will be broadcast on Saturday 15th at 21.00.
http://it.blastingnews.com/tv-gossip/2017/04/gossip-elena-damario-racconta-emma-stefano-e-il-nostro-amici-001613351.html
http://it.blastingnews.com/tv-gossip/2017/04/amici-ospiti-4-serale-il-volo-james-blunt-e-di-nuovo-emma-marrone-001614543.html
These articles are in Italian of course but they basically say that they are recording today with for show to be aired April 15th on Canale 5.  Also appearing is Emma Marrone, James Blunt, and Luis Fonsi.
Ciao!
~~ Leelee ~~
Our Stories

Gina’s Long Distance Adventure!!!

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THEY CROSSED MY PATH
AND
THINGS HAVE NEVER BEEN THE SAME

 

“It’s finally here. Mom is so excited!!!”

These were the words of my daughter Kim telling the Facebook family about my “Life with the boys”.

When this year’s US Tour was announced I checked the list of cities that Il Volo would be making and right away knew that they would not be coming back to the “Wild West”.
Two cities jumped out. New York and Radio City and Las Vegas. I had lived in Manhattan years ago. Years before the boys were born but always loved the memory. It just seemed so far away now. Vegas seemed closer to Waco so I just casually announced to my family that someone should take me there. I knew that Kim 8 had the most flexible work schedule and was used to “corralling” her mother thru the Airports. It was early so the idea sort of died until we got a call from my 81 year old sister in law in Lubbock. “I want to go. I want to go”. I knew that Jo had never heard of Il Volo so I kept saying “are you sure”? Well in the end she was talking about IL DIVO but insisted that she would love Il Volo and wanted to go. The trip came back to life.
We finally got the tickets, hotel and airline tickets. I WAS GOING ON MY LAST LONG DISTANCE ADVENTURE.

The time flew by and we were getting excited about this trip. ONE PHONE CALL put a damper on the trip. My sister in law JO died in her sleep. A few weeks later my husband fell and cracked the knee cap of his already bad leg. Then my son wound up in the emergency room with terribly high blood pressure. By this time I felt there was a sign that maybe I should stay home. Everyone told me to GO. I found a ‘baby sitter” for my husband and asked Myron to find someone that might enjoy the concert and use Jo’s ticket. He did and her name was Ronda.
A lovely lady that had not been a fan but I know she is now.

I will not bore you with the trip to Las Vegas. It is not easy for a 81 old lady with a daughter that was protective and always wanting to put me in a wheel chair.
I was using a cane and got some perks to get thru faster in the check in line. One person yelled at me “do you have metal, pacemaker or other artificial item” so I told him “no, I still have my own parts”. I did get to go thru some faster check in.

ARRIVED VEGAS. Took a taxi to Monte Carlo motel. MY FIRST trip to VEGAS. I was in shock to see the masses of people checking in and checking out. The hotel is under renovation but the PARK Theatre had already been redone. A taxi driver told us that once the hotel is completely renovated they will rename it to “Park”.
We arrived THURSDAY morning and walked three miles on the strip. Friday we went downtown to the old VEGAS on FREEMONT STREET. Another three miles. Kim has some device that counts your steps and converts into miles. TIRED is the magic word.
SATURDAY the day of the concert we did not leave the room till it was time to go to eat at d. Vino Italian Food and Wine Bar – Monte Carlo.

Myron had mentioned that it was right across the Park Theatre and a nice place for Il Volo fans to informally meet and have dinner. I turned over my extra ticket to a friend of Myron’s who later turned out to be Rhonda.
The Park Theatre has an unusual (to me) seating arrangement. We where slightly elevated after the “Orchestra” section and had a great view.
Finally the orchestra came out, played and THE BOYS APPEARED. So handsome, confident and professional. I saw them in Dallas on their last US Tour and they were boys and this Saturday to me they became grown men.
My Dallas concert was AN EXPERIENCE because it was my first time seeing them live. It takes a while to transfer your VIDEO images to LIVE so I had a special experience in Dallas. NOW I could sit back and just listen. Their voices changed so much. It is amazing how far they have come only in such a short time.
As soon as I get my house back in shape and get enough sleep I will get back on YOUTUBE and close my eyes and listen to the concert from Radio City.
They will always be “boys” to me but I am so proud of the grown young men.

~Gina

 
Il Volo, Il Volo Professional

Il Volo Professional ~~ Notte Magica 2017 – Minneapolis, MN

15 Comments

Minneapolis

I had a chance to interview some of our Flight Crew ladies about their experience with the Minneapolis concert and here’s what they had to say.  I asked them all the same question.

Leelee:  So how was it?

Jane:  “A Magical Night it was!  Their heavenly voices, impeccable timing, dashing good looks, pure joy in singing to us…add it all up and it creates a night to never forget.  The elegant State Theater was the perfect setting for this type of concert.  Stunning beauty of the venue coupled with such amazing talent transported us to another level of being.  They pulled out all of the stops for this tour and it shows.  Grazie Il Volo!”

 

Joyce:  “They sound so wonderful live, so much better than the cd and dvd. Now I want to hear them live all the time, preferably in my living room. Can we go to Vegas this weekend?”

 

Allene:  “The concert in Minneapolis was all I had expected and a whole lot more.  Our guys looked magnificent and were in excellent voice.  The Midwest audience was a little more laid back than earlier audiences and did not do as many standing ovations that I thought they deserved.  And the M&G was the usual rush, rush which always turns me into an idiot, but I loved every minute of it, and can’t wait for the NEXT time.”

 

Audrey:  “This was my favorite, not only because I had a great seat. Maybe 12 feet directly in front of Piero. I barely even heard the music because I was in constant awe. The hard work Gian has done for his solo brought tears and smiles. He even commented how difficult a song it is. And unbelievable that the high notes Piero hits for so long ! How is that even possible! I’m so glad that they were all so funny, helping to make it a wonderful night. But the best was the M&G. Four kisses from Gian and 2 from the others. Still haven’t come down to earth.”

 

Linda:  “3/20/17 Il Volo Notte Magica was indeed a true night of magic for us. My husband and I, and a friend attended the concert.   It was all very exciting. I had some really good front row seats and meet and greet afterwards.   As you say,  you forget what to say,  as I did,  but I had practiced a short sentence in Italian, that I had heard them say to the audience on the Pompeii concert. So I said to them grazia Italia, grand amore tutti voi and they nodded so it maybe sounded ok.  The night in Minneapolis was unusual warm for March.    While waiting for the State Theatre doors to open, a man collapsed and the perimedics had to be called.  Sad, there was only about 30 more minutes until the concert began.   Back at the hotel we popped open a bottle of Italian austi spumonti and enjoyed our last glow from the concert.  It was a wonderful concert with the ‘boys’.”

Linda and Mike H. M/G Minneapolis MN 3/20/17
Linda and Mike H. M/G Minneapolis MN 3/20/17
Photos courtesy of Linda and Mike H.
Okay, so maybe I didn’t personally interview them, but they were kind enough to send me their experiences, and fantastic experiences they are!  Anyone of us who have seen them so far can relate to each and every one!
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Thank you, @beat_it_queen, for taking some beautiful photos of Il Volo. I hope you don’t mind.   Just wallow in the magic!

beatit1beatit2beatit3beatit4beatit5beatit6beatit7beatit8beatit9beatit10

…and after the show…

MN - PB after show

 

See you in LA!!!!!

~ Leelee ~

Concert Photos/Reviews, Il Volo, Our Stories

Notte Magica – Chicago, March 18 – 1st Time! ~ Pat Ward

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nottemagica-header

 

MY FIRST IL VOLO CONCERT

Chicago, Illinois – March 18, 2017

On Friday, the day before the concert, we walked a block from our hotel to the Civic Opera House to get some pictures in the daylight. What an impressive building! I was surprised to see no marquee or even a sign mentioning the IL VOLO concert the next evening.Picture11

Saturday evening we arrived at the Civic Opera House just before the doors opened. After we went in and got our VIP tags and bags, I walked into that grand hall. I did exactly what someone on the blog (I think it might have been Marie) recommended we do – I stopped and looked and took it all in. I did the same thing when we entered the theatre. It was glorious! We walked down the red carpeted aisle to our front row seats on the right side of the stage. I turned around and looked at the whole theatre and the balconies. It was a beautiful space!

I hadn’t even sat down before two very nice ladies came up and asked for one of the wristbands I had made to share at this concert. Before the show started I gave some more Picture5out to those around me and finally grabbed a handful and sent them down the front row. It was so much fun!

For some reason we were told immediately after taking our seats that no photos or videos were allowed! I was shocked! I heard some say that it was by request of IL VOLO. Why? I had seen photos and videos from the preceding shows. How could my luck as a first time IL VOLO concert attendee be so bad? Me, being the rebel I am, took discreet photos and videos until they told me to quit about 2/3 of the way thru the concert.

I was in heaven when the boys stepped onto the stage. I couldn’t believe I was really there! Picture9Their voices and the music just took me away to that “other place”. I didn’t know anyonePicture10 else existed at that point. After Nessun Dorma, when we all jumped up to applaud, Gianluca looked over at us and I pointed at him, he smiled and pointed back at me and winked! I just about fell over!

All through the concert it was all I could do to restrain myself from singing along, especially on Grande Amore and their new Ave Maria. The musicians who accompany the boys are exceptional. Together they take the music they perform to a new level of expression and emotion.

One thing that really struck me and still stands out in my mind is how dazzling the boys’ smiles were when they stepped to center stage in the spotlight to take their bows after their solos and duets. It took me totally by surprise!

Of course, all too soon, the concert ended and we waited in our seats to go to the M&G. We didn’t have to wait long at all before we were instructed to go upstairs to the M&G room. The whole setting was a relaxed atmosphere, almost like a party! I talked with some people and continued giving out the last of my wristbands making sure that Leonora Ginoble,Picture8 Gaetano Barone, and Ignazio’s girlfriend, Alessandra, also got one. I barely got done with the wristbands when it was my turn for Meet & Greet!

When I first stepped up I handed each of them their little silver organza bags that contained wristbands, another bracelet and a personal message from me. I then told them that my birthday was two days before and my friend, Patty’s was a week before that. Gianluca looked me straight in the eyes and told me, “Buon compleanno!” I said, “Thank you” instead of “Grazie” – darn, I forgot to say it in Italian! I then asked each of them for a birthday hug and then stepped between Picture4Gianluca and Piero. My friend, Patty, stood next to Ignazio. Gianluca was softly humming something that was very high and sweet. I did not recognize the tune. Wow! I wish he would have kept doing that forever! As we were standing there looking at the photographer I told him, “You know, I sing along with all your songs.” And he said, “Oh yeah?” I then said, “Yes, and I sing YOUR part!” Then FLASH, FLASH, FLASH! I never heard the photographer say, “1,2,3”. I’m sure I was having a “first IL VOLO M&G” brain fog and that’s why neither me nor Gianluca had smiles on our faces. We were having a “moment” and still talking! I did remember after that to ask Gianluca what happened during Grande Amore. I saw him mess up the lyrics just a little and then grin at Ignazio. I told him I saw it, he then said, “Go ask Ignazio what happened!” So I walk over and asked him. He looked a bit surprised, smiled and said, “I don’t know!” I am sure he did know!

Overall my first IL VOLO concert and M&G was a great experience, I didn’t feel too rushed when with the boys but I still didn’t remember to tell them everything that I wanted to say. There’s always next time!

I met a lot of nice folks in Chicago who share the same love for these three delightful young men, among them were Jana, Betty, Chris, Lorna and Harriett with her friends. I loved hearing the guys say in an interview that when they go to each concert here in the Picture6U.S. they feel like we are their family out in the audience. I’m sure they realize that we all wish only the best for them and continue to support them because we ARE a kind of family brought together by this phenomenon called IL VOLO!

Patricia Ward

Pitterpat0

 

Thank you Pat for a most beautiful first-time review of our boys!  We are so glad you had a great experience!

Keep those comments coming!  We’d love to post your review right here!  🙂

Remember:   FlightCrew.NotteMagica2017@gmail.com