Everybody needs some comforting sometime.Yes, even our boys. They are on the road so much– away from home, and even though surrounded by crowds and their own entourage, they get lonesome sometimes for a comforting hug from someone close to them.
Michele, being somewhat of a father figure, may get called on for a comforting lap sit. Macho Ignazio isn’t above asking him for a little cuddle.
Hugs from Mom are always welcome and comforting, and Moms are always happy to oblige. Nothing like a warm embrace from Mom to make you feel loved and safe.
Gianluca is always happy to give little brother, Ernesto, a comforting smooch. It’s obvious how they feel about each other.
When Piero gets home from a long time away, he really wants a hug from sister, Mariagracia.
Ignazio knows when his brothers need some comforting affection, and he is ready to give them a hug, whether they want it or not.
There is nothing like a comforting shoulder to lean on, and Gianluca finds one ready for him, along with a gentle pat on the forehead from brother Piero.
Just enjoying being together can sometimes be a comfort. Ignazio embellishes it with a sweet hug.
I hear that the boys are looking for a full time “hugger” to accompany them on their trips…..someone always ready to give comfort when needed.
We all know that there is nothing like a “grandmotherly” hug for real solid comforting, and ladies, I hear that they are interviewing for the position. Now Marie and Loretta, no pushing. (no offence, at the grandmotherly, Marie)
You must have a refined demeanor for the interview. There will no doubt be others applying for the job. I’m not saying when or where the interviews will be held, since I want to get there first, so don’t get your hopes up. I have had a lot of experience in hugging, and am highly motivated to get this job.
If, for some reason, they decide to continue to hold interviews after I have given it my all, you will have to take your turns with the other hundreds of candidates. And, if that happens, I wish you well, and may the best hugger win.
Ah, what surprises we will be in for when they reach North America! What songs will they sing? Will we hear the new duets? The old duets? The new solos? The old solos? Unfortunately they cannnot sing them all! We will love whatever they sing, but some will be disappointed in what they don’t have time to sing. We can only hope they sing our favorites.
These last several concerts have produced countless uploads to You Tube and FaceBook and are being enjoyed by all. The guys are up to their usual antics (ok, mostly Ignazio!), but they are still showing their serious side.
I heard Ignazio’s first version of “Tonight” from Jan 6. The power of his voice was incredible. His depth in range is truly magnificent, and it literally gave me goosebumps upon listening to it. However, I felt it still needed a little work…. Well, he must have been listening because just 2 days later, I could see much improvement, although he still needs a little work on his diction, but the notes were certainly there. I know I will get some heat for saying this, but in my mostly unprofessional, personal opinion, I think Ignazio could rival both Gianluca and Piero if he wanted to! He may have come in third in the original song contest, but he is proving to be the most versatile of the group, and certainly the winner in my eyes and ears!
Photo credit to person who uploaded the Alleria video on You Tube
Let’s talk about emotion…. We always knew that Ignazio sang with his heart on his sleeve, but Gianluca is always getting the praise for letting his emotions show as he sheds tears of joy. However, at the Ancona concert, Ignazio also shed a few tears. At the end of the Pino Daniele song, “Alleria,” Ignazio is overcome with emotion, lets loose his tears, and we even see him wipe his eyes, as he bends his head, trying to compose himself.
Thanks to Lady A on “allthelyrics.com,” her translation is below…
Time passes by and what does it do, everything grows and goes away, time passes and you don’t love anymore. I want a sun to dry me, I want an hour to remember. Happiness, for a moment you want to forget that you need happiness, how much you suffered only God knows. And rises the desire to shout that you have nothing to do with it, you wanted only to give and happiness goes away… Time passes and what do I do if my voice will change, time passes and you don’t trust yourself anymore, and you are left only with the things you do not want, you don’t expect for anything because you know that time passes and you never grow up… And it (the sun?) rises…
But why is our Ignazio so overcome with emotion? Is he already afraid of what the future holds for him, for Il Volo? Is he afraid one day they will wake up and this will all be over? Is he fearful of a love he has not yet found, will go away and be forgotten? Is he afraid that all that he gives, his love, will be lost? Is he afraid he will never grow up? That his life will be this song?
Yes, many might say that Ignazio acts like a child and fools around too much; makes too many jokes. But maybe he just wants to share his joy of life with us!? He wants to make us happy and make us laugh! Maybe he has found out already that life is too short to be grumpy? I’d like to think that Ignazio possesses the cherished and often lost “child-like” quality of youth. Someone that is not afraid to laugh, be funny, turn around too many times on Volare, do a twist and jump from the stairs in Surrender, and jump off pianos (although I’m glad he seems to have stopped that one!).
Our dear Ignazio, please do not be afraid. Please continue to be the person you are. Always be true to yourself and your feelings. These will be your strengths. Do not fear the others that will judge you; for they do not understand. Continue to keep your feet on the ground, but your seatbelt fastened, as there will be some turbulence along the way on your flight to success!
There’s nothing like the first time you see them live and on stage! No jittery camera video from row Q. No people talking as the camera rolls. No song ending early because someone is out of time or iPhone space! There they are…in front of your face! They are more beautiful than you even dreamed they would be. No matter how many times you’ve listened to their Cd’s, they sound like something from heaven you’ve never heard before! Then the Meet and Greet happens!
Tippy
Many of you will be attending your first Meet and Greet and have asked about the process. I am no expert on M&G’s, but I’ve attended six of them and can tell you what I know. Let’s start with walking in the venue door…Look around and ask at the ticket booth where to go to wait for the M&G after the concert. Usually you stay around your seat while the rest of the audience leaves. A staff member will tell you where to congregate from there. It use to be that there was a table set up in the lobby as you walk in and there were gifts for you, like a tote and scarf with Il Volo written on them. Lately there hasn’t been a table. In fact, many times they don’t have merchandise to sell. Take full advantage of this if they do! I have 16 t-shirts. I only wear the one’s that have a twin.
Find your seat– there are staff to help. Also, if you have a walker or etc. a staff person will be there to gently assist.
Oh come on Allene. You can smile bigger than that! Well..maybe not!
The Concert: Not what this post is about. To answer one on-going question…Taking pictures during the performance is a rule of the venue, not the Il Volo Team. Piero personally told me this, he said pictures do not bother them at all while they’re singing (you may pause here because the “personally told me” part impressed you so much.) Best I remember of the seven concerts I’ve attended three did not allow photo’s. The concert is merely two hours of heaven and you won’t be crying when it’s over. Because…YOU HAVE MEET AND GREET TICKETS!
That’s Prese’s bold hand on Gianluca
You will have about a 30 minute wait while the Guys shower and dress in more casual clothing. Usually you and about 20 of the hundred or so M&G ticket holders are given a paper bracelet ID and are led into a space/room and there THEY are!
Meet & Greet 2013
You look at them and the first thing you will think is that they look like normal people (I have heard this from others too). If you’ve been to one you know what I mean. It’s not like you expect them to be 20 feet tall with sparks emanating from their finger tips, but they surprisingly look like three normal young men. Like Jim Douglas said a while back, “they must tuck in their wings.”
Allene, Mary B. and Jane. I think you know the others. You can tell that Jane doesn’t mind the line up!
Gifts for Il Volo: I don’t take gifts. Many people do and some are amazing! I wonder what they could possibly do with them all, plus I think they should give me one. You are usually asked to put your gift and purse on a table before greeting them.
What a fun pose of Suzy and the Guys
Now you get to watch the people in front of you greet Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero. This is so fun!Surely you don’t think your going to be the only one who looks like a star struck fool, do you? You are now a little shaky, but hang in there.
Jeannette, Greek Theater, 6/7/14
OK…now the person in front of you is with them. You are next. I always find that this is a good time to make deals with God, like..you promise to go to church more often if He lets you get through this without throwing up on Piero’s shoes. Breathe! I am proud to say that I have never chosen the next moment to cry, faint or wet my pants… at least until I think about it later. (Thank you God.)
Remember this? Got caught going for an extra dimple! I gave him fair warning.
The Next Moment:Now it’s your turn! You may go up to them alone or with your group. You have been waiting for this moment for a long time! Take it! Hug each one of them and/or shake their hands. Cheek kisses are also in order. Try to remember what you planned to briefly say. Of course they’ve heard all of the praise words before, but not from YOU! And they will love hearing them. By-the-way, they hug back really well!
We all saw them on stage with our gift of theBook last summer, “Love, From The Flight Crew”. Let’s ask them how they liked it. Maybe they will remember your greeting!
While Mary and Loretta were getting ready for our group shot I had a conversation with Gianluca. Yeah, I knew Ignazio was listening and touching!
I must take a moment to talk about SMELL!!! The guys have just showered and applied cologne! Take a sniff! After a hug, if you’re lucky, you can still smell them on your clothes. Happened to me in Chicago. I could smell Ignazio for hours. Alas, by morning the smell was gone. I swear to you I know someone who, as soon as she got back to her hotel, ripped off her blouse and put it in a plastic bag to preserve the smell. That’s creepy. I, on the other hand, ordered Acqua Di Gio by Georgio Armani (Ignazio’s scent) from Amazon. Not at all creepy.
Bring one thing for them to sign, a CD cover, a picture from a prior concert or M&G, your Flight Crew badge. I’ve had them all signed.
Mary’s daughter took this when Piero jumped in our cab. I had him sign it in July. It says, “With love, Grande Amore, Piero.”
During one M&G this year I will ask them to autograph the “Grande Amore” CD cover. Don’t worry, they will each have their own permanent Sharpie in hand. Take your time, but don’t overstay your welcome. Remember, they may not love you quite as much as you love them.
They Don’t mind “set-ups”. In fact they think it’s fun… Like when Linda couldn’t make the concert.
They were happy to do this. It has much meaning for me now. The Boys were important to Linda and her family used this picture at her memorial.
Or when I “pretended” to steal Ignazio. They are such good sports.
He may look scared, but he is holding both of my hands with one of his!
Be sure to have the friend behind you snapping pictures with THEIR OWN camera, as fast and as many as possible of your moment with the Boys. When your time is over, turn and do the same for your friend. When it’s your turn a staff person will take your camera from you and snap a shot or two for you. Also, usually there is a professional photographer who will take two posed pictures. After you pose, it’s your time to leave. (Yes, you have to do it eventually) The photographer will hand you a card with his email address. In a day or two you can log on and buy the pictures. Last concert season I think they were 10 or 12 dollars. Didn’t matter…I bought them.
At this M&G Mary B. gave Piero a 21st birthday gift. I love the expression on all their faces when he “blew out” the candle.
Do not forget your Flight Crew Badge! It is distinctive enough for the guys to recognize and they will usually smile and/or nod at it! Yay! Afterwards is a good time to look around to see if Barb or a parent is around receiving accolades. You can tell if they seem to be approachable at the time or if they’re working. If approachable, be quick while telling them how grateful you are that Il Volo is in the world and that you think they are taking good care of them.
Got this beauty of Mrs. Genoble and Barb at a M&G. I also have one of me with each of them!
Then you leave….. You forget half of what you said and 75% of what they said, but it was a moment you will never forget.
Well there it is. That’s all I can remember for this post. Please keep in mind that it could all be different at your venue. What I have given you is the usual way as I know it. I’m sure I’ve left out important things and others will give you more clues in the comments below.
We’ll be looking forward to seeing your pictures, video’s and stories!
One last shot. You all know this one. It’s cropped from a M&G in 2014.
Yikes this is long, but so fun to have relived my own memories while writing!
~Marie
Would it be safe to say that we (Ilvolovers) have adopted Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio as our own, as in “to take by choice into a relationship?” (Webster) When they first came to our country on tour and then settled in LA to work from Universal Studios, it was love at first sight for us. Who wouldn’t fall in love with Ignazio’s sweet dimpled cheeks, Gianluca’s beautiful cherubic face and Piero’s rascally hair and demeanor?
And on top of their adorable appearances, when they opened their mouths in song, we were blown away. Who were these darlings from across the ocean—Italians?? Really?? They seemed like our own right from the start. Of course they had parents in Italy, but they had let the boys come to us, so–finders, keepers…we wanted them for our own. We thought (hoped) that if we loved them enough they would never leave us. Didn’t they seem right at home singing the National Anthem at the Dodgers game in LA?
But their talent and universal appeal was too great to be limited to the USA. We really knew that it was inevitable that they would be recognized by the world. And, truth be told, we wanted the best for them. And since they always said that their mission was to bring Bel Canto music out of Italy and into the world, we knew that we would have to give them up for the greater good. As Gianluca said, “It was more than a choice–it was our destiny.”
So, even though it wasn’t official, we adopted them into our own families. They are as real to us as our own sons or grandsons. A day doesn’t go by without their voices being a part of it. We may even have a picture or two along with our family photos. We search for news about what they are doing and where in the world they are.
We scan their faces for signs of fatigue. We are relieved when they look happy and relaxed. We are proud of their success. And we pray for them daily, because we have adopted them and made them OUR BOYS.
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!
~Jane
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
