It is well known that Michele Torpedine was born in Minervino Murge, a small town in Puglia. In the days of late July, by taking advantage of IL VOLO’s passage for the two concerts in Puglia, Michele Torpedine was awarded honorary citizenship.

Here is a nice article published in GAZZETTA DEL MEZZOGIORNO.

GAZZETTA DEL MEZZOGIORNO Article – Click Here

Minervino, the manager of IL VOLO, honorary citizen: party with the trio
The honor to Michele Torpedine, celebrated in his hometown and accompanied by his 3 pupils

“I always thought it was a small country town with few inhabitants. Instead it is an extraordinary community, alive and vital, industrious, kind. I am really moved, and above all proud of being born in this land.” Starting from … Minervino Murge, the internationally renowned manager and music producer Michele Torpedine, who in the 1950s, in swaddling clothes, had left the “balcony of Puglia” to move with his family to the north.

An amazing career of Torpedine, discoverer of talents, producer, manager (from Zucchero and Bocelli, passing through Lucio Dalla, also collaborator of Pavarotti), who returned to Minervino yesterday in the company of “his” three young pupils of Il Volo, Piero-Ignazio-Gianluca, arrived in Puglia for the expected concerts of Barletta and Lecce: in the packed hall of Palazzo di Città, Torpedine received the Honorary Citizenship, welcomed by the mayor Lalla Mancini, the Council and the Municipal administration, by numerous authorities (such as the president of the province Pasquale De Toma, the bishop Monsignor Luigi Mansi, Bruna Piarulli, the regional councilor Francesco Ventola) but above all by his fellow citizens, who among the applauses have named him “ambassador of Minervino Murge in the world”.

In reality, everything is born on the internet: thanks to the social networks and the “I like it”, some time ago some relatives of Torpedine contact their sister Liliana. And so Felicia Angiulo, cousin of the manager’s mother, and then Vincenzo and Nella, together with Mattia and Luigi Spineto (all with different degrees of kinship) intertwine with contacts and memories, unpublished photos of the good old days, memories faded and the desire to meet, to talk about each other and hug each other.

The occasion arrived as if by destiny: the Il Volo concert in Barletta, the decision to confer Honorary Citizenship by the city council. Everything perfect, including the presence in the Hall of the “three tenors” (actually two tenors and a baritone) extraordinary boys who besides their voices also have a great gift of sympathy and humility.

“Minervino Murge is the birthplace of many personalities who, in different sectors, have achieved important successes in their work sector, the result of commitment, passion and also genius – said mayor Mancini – and Michele Torpedine is without doubt one of these.”

Also presented was the autobiographical book of the manager “RICOMINCIO DAI TRE – From Minervino Murge to the White House”, Giuseppe Tucci, president of the Pro Loco, gave him the original volume “Minervinesi distinguished in the world”, also containing the biographical profile of Torpedine. Then the flavors of the Murgia, with Torpedine and Il Volo “To the south of the soul”.

But here’s how the award ceremony took place.

And here is a service aired during the regional newscast and I translate for you.

PR = Il Volo, one of the bands launched by the manager Michele Torpedine, from Bologna, originally from Puglia, received today the honorary citizenship of Minervino Murge.

He is the manager of the IL VOLO group, tonight in concert in Barletta, we talk about Michele Torpedine, a Bolognese from Puglia, in particular Minervino Murge, who today gave him honorary citizenship, the service is by Alessandro Trevisani.

I = We will change, Minervino (laughter)

AT = When they arrive, the city council becomes a show. Il Volo is in Minervino Murge to accompany Michele Torpedine, the manager of the three singers, receives honorary citizenship, from the municipality where he was born 67 years ago.

I = We don’t sing, we came only for our manager, for Michele, we are happy ….

AT = Do you feel a little Pugliese too?

I = A little Pugliese, it is strong to say, but Puglia is a land that we love so much, we love coming so much.

MT = He was over 60 years old, I didn’t come, I was six months old, when they took me away from here, and I never came back.

They (Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca) made me understand that in the musical environment, there is also the good part, the positive part.

AT = In his career, Michele Torpedine, produced, launched and re-launched artists such as Zucchero, Gianna Nannini, Lucio Dalla, Giorgia and Andrea Bocelli, but in Minervino, the eyes of the people,  are all for Ignazio, Gianluca and Piero, that this evening will perform at the Fossato del Castello di Barletta.

Are you ready for the Barletta concert?

P = Yes, yes we are ready.

AT = The first song on the lineup?

P = We can’t say.

 

Girl = Magnificent, fantastic.
AT = Where are you from?
Girl = From Milan.
Woman = I would like to hug that gentleman there, who is above (Torpedine).
Woman = They are very nice.
I = But you have it with me ?? (he jokes)
Man = We wish the guys of IL VOLO, to keep their feet on the ground, and never to take flight with their heads.
P = The appeal I make: Minervino Murge, capital of European culture (applause).

And here is what Massimiliano Bevilacqua writes, present at the ceremony.

Impossible to describe with images the emotions experienced on this day. The conferment of honorary citizenship on our fellow citizen Michele Torpedine, beacon of the fantastic boys of “Il Volo”, witnessed the strong bond of the well-known manager with his hometown. The presence of civil, political, ecclesial and military authorities honored the Municipal Council of Minervino and all citizens. Thanks to the Minervino family members of Michele Torpedine, who gave unforgettable moments and rediscovered the great value of the family. A day dedicated to music, which Michele Torpedine brought to the world with Minervino in the heart. Music expresses feelings, represents our emotional part, but above all it unites. Today Minervino has taken off. That it is only the beginning of a path of growth that sees us all involved in overcoming divisions and in considering the beauty that surrounds us with different eyes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It took more than 60 years for Torpedine to return to his hometown ……. but how wonderful it is to come back and be received with all the honors, in that town, from which his family had to leave, in search of fortune.

Even Ignazio, Gianluca and Piero, were close to you, in this happy moment, because they too, are part of your family affections.

Congratulations, Michele Torpedine.

Daniela

 

And here is a summary of the entire day published by Torpediniera.

 

Credit to owners of all photos and videos.