Our guys!!! Let’s take a moment to cheer about that…
Of course, the work is just beginning for The Guys, but we know they are up for the challenge, and I know IlVolovers will be there supporting them every step of the way. Here is everything you need to know to help you do that; thank you, AAIV!
Gina expressed a desire for clarified voting procedures and what it all means when it comes to the San Remo Music Festival next month. A very logical request, because I’ve tried to read up on how the festival works and had to speak with two knowledgeable people before I think I’ve finally got it down. And I’ve always thought of myself as a reasonably intelligent person (nobody comment on that!).
In a simple form, San Remo is indeed a competition in which music is being judged in several categories, but it’s also a bit of a popularity contest in all of Italy and Europe for the artists involved. When the time comes, it will be a 60% to 40% split between the judges and the fans respectively, so all of the TV shows and appearances that involve Il Volo are to create and maintain buzz about them going into the competition.
The competition itself is full of little competitions within the big one. Most notably (in the category Il Volo is competing in), there is the competition between artists in how they interpret the music given to them, as well as a competition between the song writers and their songs–which are being performed for the first time ever by the artist assigned to it. As noted in a previous article about this competition, Il Volo will be singing, “Grande Amore,” written by Francesco Boccia. [Invited to San Remo in 2015] In this scenario, if Il Volo is declared the winner of their category, so will Francesco, as the writer of the song. To win the competition would give Il Volo another level of prestige and the chance to compete–if they choose–in the Eurovision Competition.
So, what is the deal with the voting? The voting, again, is two-fold. There is the voting that is occurring now, and there will be separate voting when the competition actually starts. When the competition starts in February, there will be Televoting, which will actually count toward the final results. The voting that is occurring now, is unofficial, does not–as I think I understand it–count toward final results in February, but probably helps with that buzz that needs to surround Il Volo in the coming days, so I say, “Keep voting!”
As far as I know, there are four places that voting is taking place. Two polls are a “one and done” type of poll, which I know will appeal to many of our readers, one is one in which you can vote more often, and a fourth that is via Facebook. If you have not been voting and would like to, here are the links:
One and Done:
polldaddy.com (featured on this site already)
Optimaitalia.com Blog (featured on this site already)
Follow the instructions as outlined in the Facebook post. As noted, it seems that this really influences public opinion, so if you really want to help, try this avenue as well
I hope this answers your questions. As more information is found, we will bring it to you as quickly as possible. Thank you LiJoy (conferring with Athina for clarification) and Bev Olsen for your help!
As Gianluca has said, they are officially participating in the 2015 Sanremo Music Festival:
Festival di Sanremo Facebook
This is quite an honor for Il Volo as they had to apply and be chosen to appear at this festival. They will be singing a song written by Francesco Boccia, “Grande Amore”, and he seems quite excited about it:
The Sanremo Music Festival is the oldest music festival in the world, the place where the Italian music was born and spread its notes all over the world (Italian Prestige Tour).
According to the Italy World Club website, “The Festival of Sanremo is a singing event held annually in Sanremo, Italy during the winter season. It is the most famous pop music event in Italy and a major media event on Italian television.
It currently takes place at the Teatro Ariston between late February and early March. Originally it was held in the ballroom of the San Remo Casino near the end of January. The festival is essentially a singing competition among performers presenting original songs in premiere, never performed publicly before, composed by Italian authors, and voted by juries and/or by popular vote.”
The rules are as follows (loose interpretation provided by LiJoy)
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Bing Images
To learn more about the festival’s history and see past winners, visitItaly World Club<— here.
San Remo
Bing Images Map of Italy, location of San Remo
Bing Images Map of Italian Riviera
San Remo is a city with about 57,000 inhabitants on the Mediterranean coast of western Liguria in north-western Italy, best known as a tourist spot on theItalian Riviera.Click here for the entire Wikipedia article — >San Remo Article.
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Per the well known Trip Advisor website: “With a comfortable climate that varies little throughout the year, Sanremo has been a favored tourist destination since the mid-1700s, attracting visitors from all over Europe, including heavy contingents of Russian and British aristocracy. For many, the long stretch of beach is the main attraction, but don’t miss the impressive casino or the hillside medieval section of town called La Pigna.”
Sounds like a place I need to add to my Bucket List; what about you? You can begin planning your dream trip with Italian Prestige Tour Website, or Trip Advisor, both websites which were used to gain information for this article.
Congraulations, Guys! 2015 hasn’t even arrived, and you’re off to an awesome start! We can’t wait to hear, “Grande Amore”!
~~ Kelly
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
