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MY EXPERIENCE – MACERATA SEP. 5, ’24 – by Kirsten, Denmark

October 7, 2024 pitterpat0 41 Comments

OMG – A RAINDROP!!!
Was it really a raindrop on my head? And the rumble in the distance the sound of thunder? NO, NO, NO – this cannot be true, I think, while the worst feared scenario of all slowly appears for my eyes and ears. Yes, it has started to drizzle – and the stage crew rushes to amplifiers and monitors trying to push them under the roof or cover them in plastic. I am about to panic and my thoughts go straight to my experience some 1½ years ago when in Arena di Verona I spent more than 4 hours soaking wet in pouring rain while watching one of IL VOLO’s now legendary grand “Tutti per Uno” Canale 5 Shows. Was it going to be like that again? Well, at least I came well prepared this time having packed a big bag with several raincoats/covers, numerous sweaters, umbrellas and you name it– and, well I had studied the weather chart for weeks hence knowing that rain was a possibility in Macerata on the day in question. Likewise, after all this was yet early evening and just at the Soundcheck. But still…. OK, I am getting way ahead of my story, so let’s get back to the very beginning.

WHAT CAN I SAY?
Having generously promised Daniela that I would write a personal review of my concert experience in Macerata I feel a bit in a loss right now sitting here by the computer – as what can I possibly add to the lovely article that she and Pat published a few weeks ago already filling you in on practically everything hence leaving very little uncovered? Yet, I shall be more than happy to share with you my personal ups and downs and many emotions in connection with same as well as try to take you along the concert as I did experience it through my eyes and ears. Do please bear with me though, if you feel you have heard it all before.

55 MINUTES IN DESPAIR!
Suddenly – back in February – a mail from IL VOLO ticked into my inbox and in no time brought a lot of hulla-baloo and decision changes about. It was the revealing of tour dates and places for the upcoming Italian Summer concerts kindly offering the fans pre-sale. Wohoo. Yet the mail reached me around noon while the stated pre-sale would open later same day – in fact in less than 1 hour! I.e. leaving me with some just 55 minutes to figure out IF this was of interest at all, and IF so to act on same. Can you imagine the panic arising? Luckily, my husband was at home. I called him – eh, would you consider going to Italy (again) for our 2024 summer holiday? And if so, would you like to join (yet) an IL VOLO concert? We were already holding tickets for one of the Verona concerts in May – and at this stage a wine tasting tour to Burgundy in France were in the early talks and planning – so? I stroke luck, my hubby was ready to change plans. So far so good. BUT – which concert should we go for? And where in Italy should we spend our new holiday? A quick glance at the list didn’t make it easy as in fact very few of the mentioned venues were known to us… OK we do know a lot of Italy, yet, these were towns and places we had never heard of before – and knowing that we wouldn’t enjoy Rome, Naples or other big cities in the hot summer months we needed to do some speedy research. My husband quickly opened Google Maps and plotted in the potential venues to which I would comment – oh, that’s by the Northern Lakes, no, we will have covered that area in connection with the Verona concert; ah this is on the popular West coast but I’d rather try something less touristy – and Sicily, that’s too far away. So it went on, while the clock ticked. Finally, we learned where Macerata was located – and being early September, this seemed the right place for us to choose.

By now we had about 20 minutes left before the pre-sale opening, so we were going from panicking to hearty sweating. Next was to get logged into the Fanclub to get the needed booking code. Having an extremely slow internet, however, this is easier said than done, hence we sat down by both of our computers as well as activating the cell phone trying to get through. My husband succeeded, wohoo, but when opening the TicketOne booking site we were met with information in no way corresponding with the one listed by the Fanclub! The dates were not the same – how could that happen? Now we were totally frustrated – but by co-incidence I clicked one of the incorrect dates and voila the right date appeared on the next page! What??? By then we realized that somehow TicketOne had all the dates one month wrong on the opening page while the correct dates would appear if you continued. We found Macerata only to learn that this venue – as an exception – would not open for pre-sale for yet a week though. Jesus… Well, by now the pre-sale start had passed anyway. Before closing the computer, I thought I would click Macerata anyway though – to possibly learn the seat figuration and be better prepared. What? Now an unexpected active booking box popped up! Eh? Apparently it worked and bookings were already made! OK, back to panic trying to fill in the form as speedily as possible. This is yet an obstacle for us as none of us understand any Italian and the computer automatically tries to translate parts into a very bad Danish – leaving us most of the time guessing resulting in me ticking more or less all boxes off very well knowing that I do no doubt purchase insurances we do not need or postage by regular mail contra e-mail etc. But there is such a little time to fill in these forms if you are not to lose the seats you are trying to book – no alternatives though. Finally, the booking went through and apparently we were now holding two front-row tickets to the concert in Macerata coming September the 5^th. Sigh and a big relief 😊. Sometimes I wonder if I am the only one going through these nightmares each time booking IL VOLO tickets – or can you recognize yourself in this story?

Tickets

SOUND & “SIGHTING”
Now back to the beginning – namely our arrival in Macerata and the Soundcheck to which we had obtained access as well. We were just some 25 fans and did easily find good seats right in front. Gianluca had already finished his first song – “Eleanor Rigby”– while we were waiting outside, and Piero was ready to take over. Duly instructions as to not use our cell phones or to take direct contact to any of the guys were given. All fine with us. A quick glance around and we realized that just behind us Ignazio’s girlfriend Michelle and brother were seated. Does she ever look sweet with a pretty smile. A bit further up Michele Torpedine and Gianluca’s father were standing in the aisle checking it all out – and not far from us his brother Ernesto Jr. and friends were chatting. Hence, we were surrounded by familiar and lovely people. The guys rehearsed several tunes when suddenly we hear the first notes of the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber tune “The Music of the Night” (Phantom of the Opera) – and Gianluca starts singing in the softest of softest voice… It sounds fantastic and I give him the thumbs up. Apparently he had finally decided to try out this song in Europe for the very first time. (It was on the Japanese set-list). I think I was just as excited about this experiment as he – and I could hardly wait to learn if he would actually do it. As you all know by now – he did! 😊 He never sang “Eleanor Rigby” though.

But we were in for more treats! Towards the end Piero did suddenly come down and greeted each and every one of the fans with a genuine handshake and honest attention to each of us. I had not seen this coming and it was a great and wonderful surprise. And what gorgeous brown eyes and lovely smile that guy has…😉. I must admit that he “won” an extra star with me right there. It didn’t take many minutes, so any of them could easily have done so. Gianluca passed just next to us a couple of times – his mind, however, elsewhere with looks firmly directed at Michel and his father to whom he went to discuss over some issues. I didn’t really “feel” Ignazio this time – but his thoughts were probably fully occupied with the upcoming wedding and his Michelle being around. They were, however, all at the end called to one corner of the stage for a small PR activity – and then the first drop of rain reached my head… What now? At first it did, however only drizzle for a bit and with the check apparently being officially over, people started leaving. When hubby and I left our seats we were few meters from Ercole Ginoble only – and having met him very briefly in Verona together with Daniela – well, I thought it would only be OK and right to go and say a proper hello to him. And so we did. To my delight he did recognize me and we got a nice handshake and a couple of words. By then the rain started up for good and both he and we were asked to leave the theatre. We left the Arena happy though – glad that we had attended. But now it rained… Unlike Verona, Macerata appeared to be a rather slow place with very little activity – but we did manage to find a café that was ready to move people together in shelter of the few umbrellas available and had prepared for some ready-to-go anti pasti we could enjoy while waiting to be let into the theatre again. We ended up in good company – as not long after Michel Torpedine, Ercole Ginoble and a few others from the management team showed up and were seated two tables away from us only. We were now all “in the same boat”. Luckily, after an hour or so the rain did however stop and it cleared up. We were sooooo relieved!

Me in front the Arena

Husband in the rain waiting for concert

SFERISTERIO DI MACERATA – AN ARCHITECTURAL GEM
Already at our arrival in Macerata the evening before we acquainted ourselves with this arena – and what a beautiful place it appeared to be! Not the least when illuminated in the evenings. Coming inside we were re-confirmed in the fact that this arena indeed is a true architectural gem. Having visited Arena di Verona a number of times I am still impressed and in awe when entering same – but albeit Sferisterio di Macerata isn’t 2000 years old but rather “just” a mere 200 – it gives you the same whir of history and feeling of grandness. The first stones were laid in 1823 and the construction in Neoclassical style with impressive arches is considered the masterpiece of the Italian architect Ireneo Aleandri. Originally serving as a playground for the ancient sport “Pallone col bracciale” but likewise as the venue for circus, equestrian events, tennis etc. – not until one hundred years later it became the home of the famous Macerata Opera Festivals. It is oddly oval-shaped with a tall 3-story “gallery” on the three sides while the fourth is one long tall brick wall with no frills that seems to function as partly stage by means of a cat-walk like narrow path while a rather small stage is found at the very center of same. The latter puzzled me as I lack to see how they can transform these facilities into the grand scenery needed for big operas. In fact I was surprised that the major stage wasn’t broader hence the purchased seats that I had thought would be kind of front mid appeared to be to the furthest left of same… Well, a bit disappointing but worked out all OK and gave good visibility of everything throughout the show. Further the guys were good at taking in the long cat-walks from time to time giving those seated far out a thrill too. A true unusual setting indeed – even with a railed boardwalk down to the audience placed right in the middle and grass under our feet! This amazing venue added to the entire experience and was a highlight in itself.

NOTE: In spite of our good seating we would have appreciated a couple of big screens too though as watching IL VOLO you gain so much more when you can observe their facials and small antics close up – and it would be so much to the advantage of those seated far out or high up. Yet again, personally we shall not complain and now we know exactly where to choose seats should we get yet an opportunity.

The Arena all lit in the evening

Arial photo of the Arena inside

Me seated in my front row inside the Arena

“IL VOLO” FOR INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING
IL VOLO doesn’t just bring us wonderful musical experiences – they also bring people from the entire world together. Just look at our little community here – but not the least when we meet up personally at concerts and get to greet each other face to face. We unite regardless of race, faith and nationalities – bound together by our common appreciation and love for these guys and their beautiful music. Some friendships evolve and become true long-lasting relationships. At this concert I had the pleasure of meeting up with a couple of our Australian fans – Zdravka Stepic-Clark and Angela Hobson. We had briefly exchanged words on Facebook – and now, we were suddenly meeting in the flesh chatting and sharing experiences as had we known each other for ever. It was such a pleasure and lots of fun. Waiting in line for the Soundcheck everyone was likewise chatting with each other. In all kind of tongues, by means of Google translate and finger languages as coming from none the less than Brazil, Chile, Australia, the US, East Europe, Italy – and of course Denmark. 😊

At the café in the rain by chance we were seated next to a very nice lady who turned out to come from Finland – and in no time we were engaged in interesting conversations. This is exercising “international understanding” in its finest form! IL VOLO may not be fully aware – but I can testify to that having worked with this topic for years both voluntarily and professionally. Among others as exchange student/returnee with the Intl. org. “Youth for Understanding” and as staff in the Int. org, “People to People” started by president Eisenhower years back. Doing it IL VOLO-style is, however, a lot more fun. 😊

Me and the two Australian fans

TOP NOTCH CONCERT
By now you may be thinking – is she ever coming around to tell about that concert? Of course – but having read all of Daniela’s many fine reviews on this year’s Italian “Tutti per Uno” concerts you are probably all very well familiar with the concept, the core repertoire and the way of execution of same – but I’m naturally more than happy to fill you in on exactly my evening. The repertoire was indeed very varied duly representing the many genres they master – maybe with an overweight of songs from the new “Ad Astra” album. As we have come to learn they seem to tailor-make each single repertoire to the particular audience in front of them – hence never being exactly the same. However, taking place in Italy and being part of their process of reaching out for a younger crowd as well this choice felt only natural. As a consequence of this, the legendary Bel Canto songs were likewise omitted – unless you count “Un Amore Così Grande” into this category. I trust, however, that it will be the other way around once they prepare the repertoire for their upcoming US Tour. As in Verona they opened the evening with “Nelle tue mani” from the Gladiators – a pompous and majestic tune perfect for the purpose and truly showing the strength and capacity of their beautiful voices. Down this more lyrical line we were likewise pampered with their always forceful interpretation of “Nessun Dorma” from Turandot and the beautiful “Miserere”. Albeit being the “Tutti per Uno” concept they did in no way let us down as to beloved tunes from their basic repertoire such as “My Way”, “Caruso”, “Il Mondo” and of course “Grande Amore”. To my great personal pleasure, they had likewise decided to perform quite a range of songs from my absolute favorite album: “IL VOLO sings Morricone” including “Ecstasy of Gold”, “Your love”, “Se”, “Telefonando” and “Here’s to you”. I was thrilled as I do truly love all these tunes.

All 3 guys in the opening song.

As apparently having become a tradition they went off stage and into the audience while singing the latter. We had the pleasure of Gianluca passing right by us handing out loose handshakes to those who could catch hold of his hand – but really not looking at anyone directly… – while at the next section of fans in wheel-chairs he stopped and greeted each and every one with a thorough handshake/touch and big personal smile, which was very thoughtful and loving. A bit later we caught sight of him again – now in the middle of the Arena where he found one of the Stefano twins and other of his personal close friends. They got big hugs. Meanwhile Ignazio had worked his way up the mid aisle smiling, hugging and shaking hands with many fans. Piero we couldn’t follow as he was spending his time at the other side of the Arena. No doubt this gesture – and big trust in their audience – is one of the highlights of their concerts very much appreciated and loved not only by the fans but undoubtedly likewise by themselves. They seem so happy doing it. I cannot, however, avoid worrying about that one day there may be a lunatic amidst the crowd…

Gianluca greeting fans in wheelchairs

Piero strolling one of the long cat-walks

Likewise having turned into a tradition seems the dedication of the legendary Leonard Cohen tune “Hallelujah” to those less fortunate – i.e. people in the services, in need, sick or otherwise suffering and not the least those that are being thoroughly missed. Asking the audience to light their cell phones and sing along it is a very touching and moving moment. With the recent big loss of their beloved Barbara in mind I had, however, feared this song a bit – but the guys seemed to have come to terms with the situation and coped ok. A close-up at a big screen may have revealed something else though – I don’t know. No matter what – their profound and heartfelt interpretation of this song is always beautiful.

All 3 singing Hallelujah

Songs from the new “Ad Astra” album prevailed this evening including among others: “Capolavoro”, “Succede”,” Framenti di universe”, “Who wants to live forever” and the long version of “Ad Astra”. I must admit that I am still struggling a bit with this album – it shall never be my favorite – but I am truly in awe with their version of the Queen song. It is such a fantastic tribute to Freddie Mercury and in my opinion even better than the original… Ignazio is truly challenging the high notes here which he, however, effortlessly reaches as a piece of cake and embraces with his unique strong, rough and yet delicate voice. WOW. All while Gianluca and Piero add warmth, softness and fervor to the profound words leading up to same. And yes, I did write, warmth, softness and fervor – not words I would normally connect with Piero, but I am sure that all of you have likewise noted that Piero has added new dimensions to his voice? He seems now to master soft and less lyric timbres just as well as Gianluca and Ignazio – at times leaving me in doubt as to whom is actually singing a particular phrase.

“Who wants to live forever” Ignazio

A special force of “Il VOLO” is no doubt the capacity of their highly individual voices and personal musical preferences – and the concept “Tutti per Uno” enables them to deliver a unique repertoire broader and more varied than any other performing groups I know of. Genial! Hence, I am always looking forward to their soli and wondering what they will choose that particular night – none the less this time. Piero pampered us expectedly once again with lyric arias incl. the beautiful “Amor , Vida de Mi Vida”. Not being particularly versed in the field of opera I am embarrassed to admit that I cannot recall nor know the name of the other ones… but as always he impresses us with his powerful voice and dedication to deliver to perfection. I can only repeat myself – he gets better and better – certainly now harvesting following the many hours spent rehearsing and learning. Ignazio chose among others to sing “Almeno tu nell’ universo” – an absolute favorite of his undoubtedly meaning a lot to himself personally and hence performed with such a fervor and passion immediately spreading to the audience making us all feel his pains and emotions. Beautiful.

Piero in one of his soli

Ignazio singing solo

AND “THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL”
are the words I do normally use referring to Piero, who at my five previous concerts undoubtedly always has obtained the most and longest standing ovations. Not this time though… as – finally – Gianluca showed everyone the broad range and vocal capacity of his voice. Confirming what an awesome and unique singer he truly is! Likewise, being able to embrace demanding, strong and challenging pieces of music. Coupled with his profound embodying and passionate interpretation of text and character he gave us an unforgettable performance of the beautiful Andrew Lloyd Webber song “The Music of the Night”. WOW!!! – huge kudos to him. I have waited for so long for him to take this step – and those of you who have read my previous reviews will have noticed that over and over I have applauded Gianluca’s solo performances but likewise – right from the very beginning – added that I didn’t think he did challenge himself sufficiently and hence didn’t show us his full potential. Stating that I would love to hear him sing i.e. “The Phantom of the Opera” – so very little knowing, that I was actually going to experience him doing so. It didn’t come as a total surprise though. Early this year we did learn that it was to be found on the Japanese set list – but not being among those chosen for the Verona concerts I thought he might have given it up… Hence, my surprise was huge when at the Soundcheck I heard him rehearsing it. Yet again, would he actually do it? But, yes, indeed he did – and I cannot find words to describe my feelings when listening. I was mesmerized… I have never heard him sing any song this beautifully. The first phrases softer than soft – immediately capturing you. And the way in which he built up the story taking you along all the way – he didn’t just sing the song – he WAS the Phantom! You owe to yourselves to watch some of the videos clearly showing how he “entered” the character and embodied same with beautiful narrative arm and hand movements… The high and powerful notes of the highlight of the song were effortlessly reached without as much as a raised eyebrow. I was breathless – the hair rose on my arms… I had to give up videotaping as I wanted to give this moment my full attention and not one to be experienced through a lens. And the audience loved it giving him the biggest standing ovation of the night – albeit I felt it should have been even longer and louder. If you listen to some of the videos, I am sorry to say, it is my loud wow-wow-wooowwwwws you can hear, as I couldn’t stop myself. Gianluca was “The King of this Concert” and the winner of it all this evening!

Gianluca in one of his soli

“The Music of the Night” from IL VOLO e Clase, YouTube

POST CONCERT BLUES
Having so many forceful and strong songs in their repertoire these days it seemed that they had difficulties in choosing the closing-tune as several times towards the end I was presuming that this must be the last song – yet only to experience another great tune to follow. Even though they did actually all leave the stage for a moment – they did return and, of course, they couldn’t terminate the concert without their all-time biggest hit “Grande Amore” followed by Ignazio’s legendary reversed countdown. And away they were. Immediately leaving me with an empty feeling and a rising new craving … I was already suffering from the “Post Concert Blues”… In no time the arena was empty but we couldn’t just go home and call it a night, so albeit finding Macerata so absolutely without any signs of night-life, we did spot lights at a single bar in the town square and headed towards same to slowly throttle down over a night-cap. More people followed along and shortly afterwards we were joined by musicians and technical crew who apparently needed to unwind a bit too before going to bed. A wonderful evening had come to an end!

THE ICING ON THE CAKE
Sometimes you can strike luck – and so we did when a couple of days later we “stumbled” across Gianluca in the street and enjoyed a few minutes’ private chat. He did even offer to take the selfie himself! What a likeable, humble and totally down-to-Earth young man he is. Swiftly you forget that you are chatting with a huge international star – albeit I did get a bit star-struck and stumbled over the words at first – but apart from among others congratulating him with the fantastic concert in Macerata I did manage among others to briefly discuss with him IL VOLO’s lacking presence In Scandinavia and the various attempts I have been launching in this respect in the hope of creating awareness and getting them played in Danish radio and TV. He was aware and tried to comfort me telling that work was in process and in a couple of years…. Very sweet. In no time five or more minutes had passed and he walked on to do his business. What can I say – this meeting was way above my highest expectations. Apparently dreams can come true. The best thinkable holiday memory had just been created – a moment I shall never forget and cherish in my heart forever.

Selfie of Gianluca, Kirsten and hubby, Steen

I hope you have enjoyed reading my story and send you all my love.💗 Kirsten.

ATTN:
All footage and video clips are private and credit of Steen & Kirsten Langer.

Exceptions:
Arial photo of Sferisterio Arena – photographer unknown.
The full video of “The Music of the night” credit “Il Volo e clase”, YouTube.

Through the Fields of My Mind

A Walk Down Memory Lane by Susan

January 25, 2023 susandebartoli 25 Comments

Adorable then! Drop dead gorgeous now!

Two years ago, I wrote a story called Moments to Remember. It was moments from the time the guys met in 2009 until 2021. Those were great moments, and I will talk about them again in this story, but I will also add some more recent moments to remember on this Walk Down Memory Lane.

Let me start by saying in the United States there is no better sport or more favored sport than Baseball. It’s a part of American culture. It’s one of our great American pastimes. Every kid in America has a baseball team they root for. Boys are more passionate about it, but girls certainly are all on board with it.

As a child living in New York, I had a choice. New York Yankees or Dodgers. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, so this one is a no brainer. Dodgers, it is! I even forgave them when they moved to LA. That’s true love!

So, what am I getting at here? Americans are passionate people and we, like other countries in the world begin every event, every gathering of large groups of people with our National Anthem. For me, when I hear the Star-Spangled Banner, I rise, put my hand across my heart and I sing. What does this all mean? To me it means that I am thanking God for being an American, for having the opportunity to live in America where we can stand and sing our Anthem. Where we are free to go to any house of worship to pray and where we can say what we believe in the privacy of our homes or on our streets. The home of the free and the brave. We all know who those brave people are. There is no need for me to get into it.

But why am I telling you this at the beginning of an Il Volo story?

Today when I was watching Ignazio’s CHAT on Bosky TV I asked him this question, “What was it like to sing the American National Anthem at the opening of the Dogers game?”

His beautiful reply was, “It was great, one of the best experiences of my life! One of the BEST experiences of my life!”

So, let’s start this story with “one of the best experiences” of Ignazio’s life, the day the guys sang our National Anthem.

What I love about all of this, beyond what Ignazio said, these young men were proud to sing our Anthem. Furthermore, on many American holidays, wherever they are they sing our Anthem.

This video is when they sang it in New York with Bruno Vespa on a special Porta Porta! It was to honor those lost on 911.

Guys for us you are Americans! As teenagers you were indoctrinated into our culture, and we are so proud of you!

On July 11, 2013, after singing our National Anthem in Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles they met an American legend, Tommy Lasorda. Tommy Lasorda was a baseball player and coach for the Dodgers. Lasorda coached the Dodgers for 20 years, from 1976-96. He passed away on January 7, 2021, at the age of 93.

Il Volo and baseball, what a score!

If I asked you “What would you consider to be a memorable moment in the career of Il Volo?” I’m sure you could come up with at least 10 if not 50 moments. So, I needed to take these moments and decide what I thought were the most memorable and the following were my choices for memorable moments.

So where do we begin? Well, you might say the night the three won not just Ti Lascio una Canzone but, the greatest prize of all, their destiny, Il Volo. Yes, that certainly was a memorable moment but, I think there was a moment before then that was very important and very memorable. Gianluca points to that moment, “I thought there were three hundred thousand boys singing like me, and instead that night I discovered that there are only two: Ignazio and Piero.” Of course, Gianluca was referring to the night they sang together for the first time on Ti Lascio Una Canzone. So, let’s begin there with a man who gets a great surprise on that night!

For the fourth episode of Ti Lascio Una Canzone, the boys are given the music for “O Sole Mio.” They walked out on the stage, sang “O Sole Mio” and walked off stars!

Alone in his apartment, Michele Torpedine was sitting on his sofa with the volume off on his TV. The show he was watching was Ti Lascio Una Canzone. He keeps looking at the screen and he suddenly thinks, Ignazio reminds him of Luciano Pavaroti, Gianluca seemed similar to Jose Carreras and Piero is similar to Placido Domingo. He still had not heard them sing. Out of curiosity, he raised the volume and Michele says, “Here I am aware of another element, that is even more important than the first. The three casually put together to sing a song of the program possess an incredible vocality for their age.”

At this point Michele’s head is spinning. He’s thinking these guys are good and again repeats it to himself, they’re good! He thinks, “What if I try to put them together seriously? A trio, he tells himself.”

The rest is history!

We Are the World for Haiti

In 2010 shortly after arriving in America, the guys were invited by Quincy Jones to join “We Are the World for Haiti,” together with 80 international artists such as Celine Dion, Bono, Lady Gaga, Carlos Santana, Barbra Streisand, Enrique Iglesias, Usher, Natalie Cole. Il Volo were the only Italian artists to be invited. The three voices from the background caused such a sensation. “Who was that?” Everyone present couldn’t believe what they were hearing but, “Who were they?” Soon they would find out!

Barbara Streisand’s Back to Brooklyn Tour

In 2012 Barbra Streisand invited the guys to be an integral part of her “Back to Brooklyn” tour. They performed with her in America and Canada. They were not an opening act, no, they shared the stage with Barbara. To the guys this was a dream come true!

2014 Latin Billboard Music Awards

In 2013, “Más Que Amor” was certified “Gold” in Mexico and Argentina. And this catapulted the guys into the Latin market. From that day on they took the Latin market by storm. In February 2014, they receive two nominations at the 2014 Latin Billboard Music Awards, as “Top Latin Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group” and “Latin Pop Albums Artist of the Year, Duo or Group.” At the awards show they were awarded as “Best Group of the Year in the Latin Pop Album” category and they also won the “El Pulso Social Award,” as the artist who dominated interactions on social networking sites during the Billboard Awards. This is unheard of! Three Italian kids taking over the Latin market! What a win!

The Christmas Concert at the Italian Senate, December 21, 2014

Ignazio wrote in their book:

We want to talk about the thrill of singing in front of the highest offices of state! What twenty-year-old boy has something like that happen? It happened to us, and it seems to me a beautiful result, an honor. You cannot imagine the emotional feeling to be called “guests of honor” inside the Senate. We were accompanied by the, fantastic, Filarmonia Orchestra Veneta conducted by Diego Basso. Half the beauty of the song is in the orchestra.

The most exciting moments? Everyone! But the hymn of ‘Mameli’ was the heart-pounding one, the first song, singing in that place, with everyone singing along with us, including Giorgio Napolitano, (President) and Pietro Grasso (President of the Senate). It is one thing that I cannot explain.

And then, of course, the pleasure of shaking hands with the President of the Republic and of feeling that he knows Marsala, he has been there.

Sanremo Music Festival 2015

On February 14, 2015, the guys participated in and won the Sanremo Music Festival with “Grande Amore.” This is the top award in the Music Industry in Italy. With this win the guys really came home. They were finally recognized by the Italian people. This win also gave them the opportunity to represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest 2015.

Eurovision 2015

As Italy is a member of the Big Five, Il Volo went straight into the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest, which was held in Vienna on May 23, 2015. Grande Amore came in 3^rd with 292 points but, they won the televote with 366 points and won the Marcel Bezencon Press Award, as best song according to the collective voting of the accredited press. The extended play Sanremo Grande Amore was released in Italy on February 20, 2015, and it was certified triple platinum by FIMI. At the Latin Billboard Awards, they dominated the social networking sites and now, they win the televote and the best song according to collective voting by the accredited press. The people speak!

Piazza Santa Croce in Florence, July 1, 2016 “Notte Magica”

2016-2017 were the years dedicated to the “Notte Magica” project, the tribute to the 1990 event where the Three Tenors, Josè Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti, enchanted the whole world from the stage of the Baths of Caracalla. On July 1^st in Piazza Santa Croce in Florence Il Volo presented on stage “Notte Magica – A Tribute to the Three Tenors,” which was broadcast in prime time on Canale 5. The guys were joined by Placido Domingo who conducted the orchestra. This marks the beginning of the world tour of “Notte Magica – A Tribute to The Three Tenors” which debuted on March 4, 2017, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The show was sold out. After 15 stops in the United States, all sold out, the tour is extended to Europe from May 5, 2017, for 29 performances and from September it extended to Latin America. The concert “Notte Magica – Tribute to the Three Tenors” was filmed and broadcast in the United States by the national television network PBS, and in Italy by Canale 5 and, starting in June, it was broadcast in over 500 cinemas in Italy and around the world.

Ignazio Conducts the Asti Symphony Orchestra on Jul 5^th, 2017

During the rehearsals of the last date of the Notte Magica Tour in Naples, Ignazio steps in as conductor of the Symphonic Orchestra of Asti while Maestro Marcello Rota sings Ignazio’s tenor part! They sang “Libiam ne lieti calici.” Ignazio had everyone in awe of his performance as a conductor. The guys enjoyed singing with Marcello who usually conducts for their Concerts. Gianluca enjoyed it so much that he hugged Marcella in the middle of the song! All good sports! They all had lots of fun! A unique performance!

World Youth Day Jan 27, 2019

If you ask the guys after winning Sanremo, which truly brought them home, “What was your greatest performance,” they would probably answer, there were two. Singing for the Holy Father at World Youth Day was one of the most amazing events in their life!

The night they turned on the lights!

The SMA Awards September 12, 2020

The guys went to the Verona Arena to perform at the first live performance since everything thing was shut down in Italy in March 2020.

Before the show they were stopped and asked this question by a woman reporter:

Reporter: You are international entertainers therefore you know how much the live dimension is missing. But above all you have defined the stage as your natural element. So, how is it for you to return to a live performance tonight?

Ignazio: It’s like giving candy to a baby. We are happy because we missed it. We missed it to die for but not only for our personal thing but because this is to me the music slowly restarting with the safety measures. But we are restarting it all with Italian music. It’s like I am starting again to grow up on stage and hope that it can be a message of hope for the groups, in the cities, in the emerging local areas who want to start making music. We have to continue making music and we hope that by 2021 full concerts and full live.

It was an absolutely beautiful statement that said it all! What I liked best about this statement was Ignazio saying “It’s like I am restarting it all with Italian music. I’m starting again to grow up on stage…” What did he mean? This time he is starting in Italy not America. He finally feels like he is at home! Bravo Ignazio! You are home.

When the guys arrived on stage, they had a message for the world and all people in the industry.

Ignazio: 2020 will be remembered as the year where the world would be constrained to be turned off.

Gianluca: For the music employees the verb turnoff means the end of the show, when the curtains close and it is the waiting moment for the next show, but this time the waiting lasted more than expected, the silence was unavoidable.

Piero: Now, the world is getting ready to start again! Now the moment has arrived to raise the curtain! Now, we will turn on the music!”

After they sang Carlo Conti and Vanessa Incontrada spoke with them.

Conti: Il Volo

Vanessa: What a moment you made us live, what can we tell you?

Conti: Thanks guys.

Gianluca: Good evening everyone.

Conti: I must say: You are always better!

Vanessa: Guys we were, Carlo and I, in silence looking at you, with goosebumps, good!!

Of course, for Puccini’s Turandot, but also for what you said at the beginning.

Ignazio: Yes, it is a doubly exciting moment, because we have been standing still for some months, with music on the stages. There is music on social media, but on the stage it is a different emotion, and especially it was a great emotion to remember all those who unfortunately left us, due to this Covid.

It was dedicated to them. My thoughts go to them and all their families.

Conti: You three are wonderful stars who travel the world and bring Italian music up in the world.

Vanessa: Singing live, of course you miss it, but what do you expect from this future?

Gianluca: Here I read a billboard that says: ‘Not even a pandemic will stop the music,’ that’s the point. This year’s motto is let’s turn the music back on, but in truth, the music has never turned off, and it has kept us company all these months. As Ignazio said, especially for us, it is our job and we missed it a lot, not being able to sing for all of you. Sooner or later, we will start again, we will go back to singing in concerts, which are a way to escape from the world, two hours of joy and tears.

Vanessa: For you and the entire audience, it’s obvious.

Piero: When we leave the house, our fans often ask us when the concerts will resume. We want to say that this is an evening of hope, and to tell everyone that in 2021, in any way, we will return to the stage.

Vanessa: Good.

Conti: You were supposed to be here just a week ago in concert, instead it’s postponed. It’s just, all just postponed, but we’ll be back. Thanks, Gianluca, thanks Piero, thanks Ignazio.

Vanessa: Thanks for being here with us.

Gianluca: (addressed to the audience) We love you.

Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio: Bye!

Conti: Great protagonists of this evening, they had the task of starting the official part.

This beautiful statement was followed by the performance of the evening. Their choice of “Nessun Dorma” sent an even stronger message. It’s says, we may have to perform under these new world conditions, but we don’t have to change who we are or why we’re here. In this ancient Arena we look to the past while following the path to the future. From their first note the whole arena lit up. Their voices were clean and crisp. Their presence was illuminating. Their notes rose above the Arena into the night sky to let the world know music is back! The final note of their song sent the final statement. All three voices rose in unison and their voices sent forth a note that took our breaths away! It said We Have Returned! Turn on the Lights!

New Beginnings!

Verona ~ Il Volo Sings Morricone

One of the most memorable Il Volo concerts in history. They walked on the stage and set the world on Fire!

In my story Phenomenal, I say I could write a book about this concert, and I could but, this is what I had to say about the opening number, The Ecstasy of Gold.

The first note and we immediately know it’s “The Ecstasy of Gold.” The whistle of the wind!

The setting is gold! Then white! Then gold! Look at the gold flecks that come in and out! The orchestra vibrates! Each note intensifies our senses. We’re drawn to the back of the stage To a tunnel where we know our guys will appear! The focus is always rear center stage! The lights change to intense red and now we are looking at the stage from the back of the arena. We are coming forward. The shadow of Il Volo turns into a force that is coming towards us! The theme of the concert is set!

Listen to the intensity of their voices! What force! Watch their motions. Look at Gianluca! Watch his body react to the music! The fist that comes at you saying this is the punch, just the beginning. Listen to how Ignazio rides the note that guides us into the story! Now we’re sailing on the wind! Piero intensifies the moment with his powerful voice that says the journey has begun! Follow us!

For me, this was one of their most amazing concerts! Very memorable! To read more about it got to www.Ilvoloflightcrw.com ~ Phenomenal

Por Una Cabeza, Il Volo at Luna Park Buenos Aires October 30, 2019

So, I will end by going back to the beginning. This last moment tells me how far the guys have come and how the strangers became brothers.

When these three young men started out, they were 15 and 16 years old. Think of being 15 or 16 years old and you have a dream, and someone tells you that that dream, needs to be shared. To fulfill that dream you have to leave your family, your friends, your home, you have to go to another country, and you have to share this journey with two people who you really know nothing about except that they had the same dream you did. You have to trust that the decision that was made by you and your family, was the right decision. If not, it’s back to square one! You’re going to be lonely, and you have to learn to survive without the people you love. So, you learn to lean on one another. That dependence turns into a friendship and that friendship into a brotherhood. It enabled them to trust enough to collaborate and perfect something truly amazing. Something that revolutionized the music industry. Let me go further by showing you a collaboration by these three amazing, very, very talented, young men that is so unreal that it boggles your mind. This is a collaboration of love. You will notice that the whole Orchestra is in awe and Giampiero Grani can’t stop smiling. Stop and listen to this performance of “Por Una Cabeza”.

Look at how they smile at one another during the performance. A smile that says yes that’s it! Their faces are ablaze! Their expressions let one another know that it works. And, finally, when it’s over, they are so excited they can hardly contain themselves. Look at their smiles, their faces are lit up in joy and their embrace says it all! They are brothers who love one another! This is truly an amazing moment!

So, we end here with some of the most memorable moments in Il Volo history. It was an amazing Walk Down Memory Lane that leads us to where they are today! Back on the road sharing their lives with us!

Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!

If you would like to share a story with me, please email: susan.flightcrew@yahoo.com

To read more Il Volo stories visit us at www.ilvoloflightcrw.com

Thanks to Judy Paullin Thurman who provided many of the photos in this story. And thanks to the owners of videos!

Through the Fields of My Mind

ANOTHER NEW YEAR’S EVE BY SUSAN

December 29, 2021 susandebartoli 53 Comments

Another year’s gone by! Another New Year’s Eve is arriving! I’m going to say what I say every year! This is my least favorite holiday! To me it’s a sad day because we remember all those who we lost over the years, and we think of them in a different way than we do on other days. We think that they left us too soon and over the last two years too quickly!

What made this year different? I’m going to say the same thing I did last year! You wake up every morning and turn on the news and no matter where you live New York, Italy, Germany, Russia, Australia, the news is the same – Wash Your Hands! Wear a Mask! Social Distance!

What do we all do on New Year’s Eve? We make resolutions. They usually last about a week and then it’s back to our old ways. But now we’ve forgotten about resolutions! For two year’s we are wrapped up in a world that refuses to go back to normal. No, I don’t buy the idea that this is the new normal. So, we find ourselves not saying what we are resolved to do but instead “When Will This All End???”

Those we left behind!

Then there’s the part of New Year’s that always brings to mind those who have left us! And that makes me so sad! This year, hundreds of thousands of people felt the loss of one person, Vito Boschetto. Yes, we all remember the announcement that shocked us! We had no idea he was ill and then he was gone.

We watched Ignazio step on the stage at Sanremo and courageously sing “Your Love,” and we all cried. It seems strange that so many people had the same reaction, but it goes back to what I’ve been talking about these last three weeks, “Family.” As we watched our guys go from amazing teenage boys to handsome young men who are phenomenal entertainers, we saw a transformation. Three strangers who stepped on a stage in 2009 are now three very handsome young men but more importantly they are, “Brothers!”

And as to their families, they went from three families to one. When we saw the boys, we saw the parents. Such an unusual situation! This led us to open our hearts to their families and thus we all became one, “Il Volo Family!”

When the news of Vito arrived, we immediately thought of Ignazio and how tragic it was to lose his father at such a young age. But we also learned something about Ignazio, and I think Piero said it best when he said he set an example for all of us with his courage.

When Ignazio stepped on that stage at Sanremo we had no idea how he or the guys would react. There were tears but above all there was a phenomenal performance to honor Vito. Ignazio knew this is where his father wanted him to be.

Mr. Boschetto was a man who worked very hard for his family. He was a mason, a brick layer. He worked at this job right up to the last days of his life. Ignazio would tell you that his mom and dad had worked at many jobs, and they tried to learn any trade, just to earn some extra money for the family.

This is what Ignazio had to say about his parents. “Is it the same if the images that I will never forget are …. the memories of my parents? It’s not that I’m crazy or strange, it’s right that my story would never have existed without my parents …. Of sacrifices they have made many and, big for me and for my sister but, more so for me. I do not spend a day when I do not think about how proud I am of them.”

In July 2004 when the family moved back to Marsala. Caterina’s dream was to open a pizzeria and Vito’s dream was to make Caterina’s dream come true. Every day for one year, when Vito returned from worked, he built the pizzeria. Every free moment Ignazio had, he worked alongside his father so that his mother could realize her dream. A year later the pizzeria was completed, and this led to another dream, Ignazio’s discovery and Ti Lascio una Canzone.

Since Ignazio was underage when he started to tour, he had to have a parent with him. The traveling was shared by his parents. When Vito returned from a tour he would return to his work. He never tried to make his life easy. What he did, he did for his children and would only accept their love in return.

What can I say about Vito? Vito was a simple man! A humble man who taught his children to be kind and humble and to live lives that they could be proud of.

It is not every man that passes through this life that can say he was able to fulfill his son’s dream. A dream that would bring him fame.

Vito we will all miss your presence at the concerts because you are a part of our Il Volo family, but you will be missed by Caterina, Ignazio and Nina every day of their lives but especially at this time of the year when our thoughts go back to the people who left us over the years!

He is gone but the memories never go away especially when they are moments that Ignazio shared with his dad as they traveled around the world together!

Certainly, there were many ups and downs this past year but what the guys did really made up for all the lost concerts! So, let’s move forward to the successes of the past year!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16_Ii7Qvfks&t=3s

To understand what happened, we need to go back to the guy’s final performance for 2020, their mini-Concert at Piazza Pio XII on Christmas Day. And here the guys sent us their final greeting for the year!

Gianluca: On this special day when we all feel close from afar, we wanted to find a way to wish you all happy holidays.

Ignazio: And we did so in the way that best suits us, through music from this gorgeous square where we feel like we are enveloped in a welcoming embrace.

Piero: We hope this holiday season may bring a smile to your homes and warm your hearts. On this “Oh holy night” we wish to dedicate every single note and every single word to you all.

Then came the announcement that they would pay tribute to Ennio Morricone with a Concert in Piazza Pio XII next June 5^th! Unfortunately, because of Covid and the fact that perhaps upwards of one million people would attend, it was decided that the performance would not take place at Piazza Pio XII instead it would be at the ancient Arena of Verona!

And then the journey began from Melpignano to Verona and beyond!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Uh859frlrE&t=2s

“La Notte della Taranta”, is one of the largest Festivals in Italy and one of the most significant manifestations of popular culture in Europe. The final concert of La Notte della Taranta, has had as many as one hundred and fifty thousand spectators in the past. It takes place in Salento, in the municipality of Melpignano, at the esplanade of the former Augustinian Convent specifically for the rediscovery and the enhancement of traditional Salento music. It is not limited to traditional music. It also allows for rock, jazz and symphonic music. This year’s host was Albano, a native son of Apulia, and his special guests where Il Volo.

Listen to the voices of our guys coming alive backstage! It’s a calling! “Who sells olives.”

Meanwhile Albano awaits their arrival on stage. He tells us about the song. It is from the region of Apulia, the region where he was born. He says, “It reminds me of the autumn song. It is the November song.”

November is the time of the olive harvest, and a man would always pass with a cart of olives to sell to the people. Albano and Ignazio sing a phrase in the Apulian dialect (“Who has olives, I have to buy them.”) Albano said when Modugno sang in the Apulian dialect he was very proud of him. Ignazio said, “So let’s hope, with this next song we will sing, you will be even more proud of your land.”

https://youtu.be/TBtjK97ZRTU?t=2

And then the awards began.

The 78^thFilming Italy Movie Awards

In the afternoon the guys attended the award presentations where they were presented as winners of the 78^th Film Italy Movie Awards. Upon exiting the building, they were interviewed by an unknown man…

Man: This is not Sanremo, this is the cinema exhibition!

PIero: But it seems a little like Sanremo, we meet, all familiar faces.

Gianluca: We are preparing a very ambitious recording project which is a tribute to maestro Ennio Morricone. We had the opportunity to collaborate with Vittorio Storaro in a music video, so we are here in the company of a great master of cinema, Vittorio Storaro.

Ignazio: He chose our voices for a tribute of the video of “Your Love,” which is shot in the Frasassi Caves, and therefore it is beautiful, this is not the first time we come here. It is always a beautiful atmosphere. Venice is a place that is stupendous.

So, let’s go back to the ancient Arena of Verona and the Seat Music Awards.

Prior to the guy’s performance, the stage was set up with multi color lights and when the guys arrived on stage, I think they were even surprised. The stage was lit as it was for last year’s performance. Very simple, very plain but what was going on in the audience was a totally different story. All phones were lit up. It was magic.

They stepped on stage in their beautiful but informal all black attire. Elegant in its simplicity!

As they came face to face with the audience, I could see the emotion in their faces.

Look at how these people love them and how they love their fans!

The DIVA Award

Then Carlo Conti presented the guys with their DIVA award

Carlo said, “I seriously read the inscription: Arena di Verona Award for Il Volo, for the tribute project to Ennio Morricone, represented with great success right here at the Verona Arena, live on RAI1, and for the over 10 years of career, which led them to be known and appreciated representatives of Italian music in the world.”

This song is slowly becoming a signature song! A song that reminds us of sadness but brings us to a new and exciting time in the lives of our guys! It’s as if Vito left them a final gift, a new and exciting adventure in their lives. It is the song that will lead the way in their new tour around the world. Always before them will be this song and the movie which has already and continues to make its mark in history!

And then on Christmas Eve!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3L230bzY20&t=2

After the Mass celebrated by the Pope, greetings from Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero are broadcast on RAI1 and, from the Frasassi caves, the sweet song: “O Holy Night.”

Gianluca: The most beautiful things in life are not that far away, they are close to us, they are within us.

Ignazio: I am inside this magnificent place that never ceases to enchant us.

Piero: We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The performance in the Frassasi Caves took the whole Morricone message to another level. Suddenly things were happening so fast. The guys seemed to be everywhere.

When speaking of the guy’s performance in the movie, Vittorio Storaro says, “Il Volo, in this case becomes a symbol, as, not only does it enter the womb of the earth, it first regenerates the energy of life, but it can do it in all the squares, in all the theaters, in all the places of the world, and that, certainly is what music is, nevertheless it carries a great message of love.”

Italy what have you to say about your guys now. You have got to be so proud of them. Look at how they shine in the world! But there was never a problem in recognition. We in America have always been proud of them and called them our own. I hope this project will allow them to spend more time in the US! Maybe at the Academy Awards.

On November 5^th Il Volo Sings Morricone was released and that was followed by the 2022 World Tour Dates

I opened this story with Vito, and I would like to close it with him.

When the guys were on Domenica In, this past Sunday, there were some very emotional moments. Ignazio talked about an incident when they were filming with Vittorio Storaro. He said, when they were recording “Your Love” at Grotte di Frasassi, Maestro Storaro wanted to get a new and deeper emotion from each one of them, so he gave them some advice. When it was Ignazio’s moment to sing his own part, he asked Maestro for more advice. Storaro told him “Ignazio forget about where you are. There’s just you and the camera… and think about a person dear to you”, and so Ignazio did, and he ended his part in tears and cried for 15 minutes.

Mara asked him who he thought about, and Ignazio explained, “Your Love” is really important because we sang it at Sanremo only three days after the death of my dad so I will always associate that song with those days.”

Gianluca added, “The new album is dedicated to Vito.” Piero said that Ignazio showed them all that his dad was such a great man, and that Ignazio has all his esteem. Gianluca added that, when they arrived at the Ariston Theatre for the rehearsal, Fiorello hugged Ignazio tightly for three minutes because he knows what he was feeling since he had been there too when his own dad died at 58 years old. Gianluca said that that moment really moved all the people who were there with them.

Beautiful emotions to end an emotional 2021!

Finally, how do I sum up this year? As I mentioned last year! Every morning when I get up, I sing. What do I sing? “Smile!” Is it because of the guys? Well, I certainly love when the guys sing “Smile,” but no, I’ve been singing this song since I was a child because….

I believe no matter what happened yesterday, today has the possibility to be better, so, “Smile, just Smile.”

And today I’m thinking of the smile of one person. You know who you are. I dedicate this article to you. Always be happy! Never stop smiling.

So that about sums up “Another New Year’s Eve!”

Happy New Year Piero, Ignazio & Gianluca!

New Year’s 2022

Happy New Year to All the Fans!

Looking forward to meeting many of you on the World Tour next year!

See you next year when I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!

If you would like to read the full story of Vito Boschetto, go to www.ilvoloflightcrw.com and search Vito Boschetto ~ A Simple, Humble Man

If you would like to share a story with me, please email: susan.flightcrew@yahoo.com

To read more Il Volo stories visit us at www.ilvoloflightcrw.com

General news

A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN MILANO by Daniela

December 4, 2021 pitterpat0 84 Comments

Today I am not giving you any translations, but I want to tell you about a beautiful event in which, until the end, I did not know I could participate.

I’m talking about the copy-signing of Il Volo in Milan. The event took place on November 30th at 5:00 pm.

In the morning I woke up and immediately saw a beautiful day with lots of sun, cold, but clear.

My husband and I are the grandparents of two beautiful little girls and usually after school they two spend the afternoons with us waiting for their parents.

But my son informed me on the morning of the 30th, that he had the afternoon off, so I said to my husband: “Let’s go to Milan,” and I immediately booked the train tickets.

Here we are on the train at 2:30 pm.

We should arrive at Milano Centrale (Milan station) almost an hour and a half before the event, so we have plenty of time to take the subway to get to Piazza Duomo.

Going up from the underground subway, the view of the Duomo of Milan is always of great effect, there it is, imposing and beautiful, with its tall spires that stand out against the blue sky, magnificent.

In a moment we are at the “Galleria Duomo”, the beautiful and elegant gallery full of famous shops and already decorated for the Christmas holidays. The Feltrinelli bookshop, where the event takes place is right here under the “Galleria Duomo”, here I am.

In order to enter the bookstore, we must show our green passes (certification of having received the double anti-Covid vaccination), we must also wear the masks , then we can buy our CD, mandatory phase, to be able to access the signing event in which only one person can participate.

The area for the signing is ready, at the back of the library, there is a poster with the image of the Il Volo CD hanging, and there is a small table with three chairs for our young men.

Soon a queue of waiting people forms and then we get in line too.

This photo was published from the page of Il Volo and to our great surprise, in the first photo there is also me and my husband!! (lower right corner)

In the queue I see some friends, with whom we meet at every event related to Il Volo, and whom I always see with joy.

Meanwhile, time passes and Piero and Ignazio arrive but they go to a separate room, they await the arrival of Gianluca who is late, and when he arrives too, here they are all three taking their positions.

The environment is very relaxed, the people in the queue are polite, the security is very kind, they let us take pictures while we wait (the other times we couldn’t).

The boys are in excellent shape, Ignazio hums a song in a low voice, while he waits to sign, Piero smiles, Gianluca is the most serious. All three wear masks, which they will then take off when they start signing.

We who are in line are forbidden to take off our masks. Before reaching the boys , they make us sanitize our hands, however we cannot hug them, kiss them or touch them. We fans have to stand in front of their table, where they will sign. A girl in charge will take the photo using our personal mobile phone, so the photos will be ours immediately.

Everything goes very well, every fan stops to have a chat with Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca and they listen us available and interested.

Here are the photos I was able to take.

(please click on an individual photo to enlarge it)

I’m excited! Now, it’s my turn!

I manage to have a chat with them, first of all I congratulate them on their CD, then I tell them that in June in Verona it was a fantastic concert, so I bring them all the greetings from Flight Crew and every one of their the American friends, they smile and thank me.

I bring Gianluca a hug from grandmother Maura.

Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca listened to me with attention and interest.

It was exciting to have them so close, but it was not possible to hug them when I wanted so much.

The security signals me that they are about to take the photos so I turn around, then I said goodbye to the our young men and leave.

It was short, but intense, it was worth going to, seeing them so close and relaxed is nice.

It is a completely free event, organized by the bookshop, as long as you buy a CD. I had already bought the CD in Brescia, thinking that this year, due to the infection, perhaps they would not have done the event. I bought another CD, but I also brought the one I bought in Brescia with me and had them both signed.

I greeted the friends still in the queue, promising to meet us at the next event and then, off to a run to take the train back.

It was now dark and the “Gallery” had beautiful colors.

I took a beautiful photo of the illuminated Duomo in the cold late November evening.

Unfortunately the photo did not turn out well, but I assure you that the vision was exactly like this.

Even though my husband and I ran, we missed the scheduled train and had to wait for the next train that passed an hour later. Patience.

It was a beautiful day, I saw my beloved boys up close, I exchanged a few words with them, I have two signed CDs, it was a great adventure and I thank my husband who always supports me in these little madnesses of mine !!

These photos on the other hand, were published by the photographer of Il Volo.

The day after, the event was repeated in Rome, at the Laziale Discotheque.

Here is the photo of Nonna Maura present at the event.

“You are great Maura”.

Credit to owners of all photos and videos.

Article or Video Translations, General news

RADIO ITALIA by Daniela

November 29, 2021 pitterpat0 56 Comments

On November 17, Il Volo was a guest on Radio Italia, only Italian music, for the promotion of their latest CD.

The event was led by Mauro Marino and Manola Moslehi.
It was a great interview and Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca also sang two songs live.

In November two years ago, I was able to go to Radio Italia and it was wonderful. Unfortunately this year, due to COVID restrictions and also the afternoon hours, I was unable to go, too bad.

Here is the video and its translation.

Please click on the photo to view the video.

MAURO = Here we are in the Reward Music Play, complete with an audience, welcome back, well arrived, purely female audience, I must say.

MANOLA = Of course, also because today’s guests are three beautiful guys, so even the eye wants its part.

MAURO = Exactly, and for the eye, we also greet the friends who follow us on Radio Italia TV, Manola Moslehi, Mauro Marino, and then let’s call them, we are standing here on stage, because in front of these microphones, soon, yes, will perform live, the three guys from:

MANOLA = IL VOLO !! (applause, enter Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca).

MAURO = Here they are, take a seat, please, please. You can sit down.

Manola ran away and I don’t know why.

I + P + G = Hi, hi.

MAURO = When you are ready ….. here they are: IL VOLO
(Manola returns to the stage)

MANOLA = I thought they sang right away, do you understand? I didn’t want to waste time.

MAURO = Are you ready?

IGNAZIO = Very ready.

PIERO = But we haven’t warmed up our voices.

MAURO = Try to do it now.

PIERO = How do we do it? Let’s start like this?

MANOLA = Come on, come and sing.

GIAN = We are yours today …..

MANOLA = Sing, sing ….

MAURO = It’s just that you don’t have microphones (the microphones in front of the boys are just for singing), it’s just for that, then you tell us everything when we get off here in front.

PIERO = Can you come near here? ….

MAURO = I can come, but I can’t give you my microphone, you know the rules (this are the new rules for COVID the microphone is personal and must be disinfected before being used by another).

MANOLA = Piero has to ask for things …

MAURO = Tell me, what is it I have to do, tell me.

PIERO = Are we on live?

MAURO = We are on live, yes, yes.

PIERO = Ah,on live without warming our voice, beautiful.

MANOLA= But no, go , go live!!

GIAN = We greet all those who look at us with their mobile phones from home !!

MAURO = I know what you will do SE TELEFONANDO, right? You let us listen to it and then we talk about it.
Il Volo on Radio Italia.

(starts SE TELEFONANDO live)

MANOLA = Live on Radio Italia only Italian music, Il Volo, strictly live !! Wonderful guys.

MAURO = Thanks guys.
So, we wanted to specify that they sang from the vivo, you already said it …

MANOLA = Yes, yes.

MAURO = … and they haven’t even warmed up their voices, so now guys, you are machines that go automatically …

MANOLA = Think if they had warmed up their voices …

MAURO = Great, thanks guys !! Here are the microphones, perfect and I sit down too, voila!

MANOLA = (To the audience) Did you like them?

YES!!

IGNAZIO = Here we are.

MAURO = So, there is a new album, dedicated to the great maestro Ennio Morricone, besides you have just sung this song, everyone knows that the song (the text) was also written by Maurizio Costanzo (great Italian television entertainer) and the music, is also by Ennio Morricone, we wanted to remember this because it is with this song that you opened today’s appointment.

IGNAZIO = You know how this song was born, don’t you?

MAURO = I know the story, but you tell it.

IGNAZIO = No, no, Piero tells it. 😁

MAURO = Come on Piero.

PIERO = When the idea of dedicating an entire album to Maestro Morricone, and the project was born, started for us, an extremely complex course of study, because when we entered the world of Ennio Morricone, on tiptoe, we discovered that he had written nearly 500 melodies.

IGNAZIO = More than 500 compositions.

PIERO = Not only soundtracks, we discovered that he made the arrangement of IL MONDO and also of SE TELEFONANDO.

IGNAZIO = ABBRONZATISSIMA (Ignazio mentions a very famous Italian song from the 60s)

MAURO= Also!

MANOLA = Also, it’s true! (she refers that even Abbronzatissima was set to music by Morricone)

PIERO = Lots of songs. Since we had the support of the entire family of Ennio Morricone, including his son Andrea Morricone, he told us several anecdotes, including the birth of SE TELEFONANDO. His father was queuing at the post office, to pay the electricity bill, and he hears the ambulance and the sirens of the ambulance “ta-na-na”, is born: SE TELEFONANDO.

MANOLA = What a genius though, it couldn’t be otherwise.
How was your first meeting with him?

IGNAZIO = It was in 2011, because in our first album there was a song, it was a medley between Once Upon a Time in America and Malena: E PIÙ TI PENSO. So, he (Morricone) was recording, working in the studio at that time, and we met there and then in 2011 we collaborated, we sang E PIÙ’ TI PENSO in Piazza del Popolo directed by him and so it was nice. There is also the anecdote that we always tell, that Gianluca gives a YOU to the master in front of the orchestra and everyone OH OH, and he says: “Don’t worry, kid, I’ll take care of it.” He was a man of few words, he showed little, but a lot.

Then, unfortunately we had little time and opportunity to spend time together and get to know him more, but it would have been really interesting and beautiful.

MAURO = While you were talking and singing before, we looked at you, out here, and we said: “We saw these three who were kids, now you are men, now you are men.”

PIERO = It’s the beard that makes the difference

GIAN = Three years ago we were 24, in three years we are 30.

MAURO = Perfect.

GIAN = The 30th begins to approach.

PIERO = Sorry, if we had 24, how do we get 30? Where did you go to school??

GIAN = Oh yes, in three years we will be 30, we are no longer children.

MAURO = But it’s nice to see this transformation, from boys to young men.

IGNAZIO = This transformation from ugly (to Piero) to beautiful ….

MANOLA = So, in reality, it sounds strange to say to three still very young people, that you have 12 years of career behind you, one is at least impressed, I mean.

PIERO = You know that we, the pre-COVID, just before the COVID were celebrating 10 years of career with a world tour. On March 11, we suspended the tour to suddenly return to Italy, and we will be back on tour exactly after two years, so it’s a 12-year career, but two years homebound as if time had stopped.

MAURO = In stand by.

IGNAZIO = A little like those birthdays that last a week, we the ten-year that lasts two years.

MANOLA = So, we have an incredible event in Piazza Duomo (Milan) it was 2018, you were very tanned, you were, but you are still beautiful, I wanted to know from you, looking at that image there, with that crowded square, what a feeling you have on.

IGNAZIO = I was hideous.

MANOLA = That’s not true!

PIERO = But it’s strange, it’s a strong feeling to see the audience, we’ve been missing that feeling for a while.

Now we are restarting with the tour, with the events, it is a slow, uphill process, but soon we will return to that feeling of serenity that we saw a little while ago.

MAURO = We all wish it a little, we said it before while we were waiting for you, together with the friends who are here (audience), there are not many, because you have to keep your distance, but see people live, meet people, for those who do yours craft, it is crucial I guess, especially for you.

You were talking about tours, then we will talk together about the tour, which will start in March, meanwhile, here they are launching the pens ….

MANOLA = The lady from the audience threw a pen …

GIAN = But it’s Hermione Granger’s magic wand (Harry Potter’s little witch)

PIERO = (he took the pen and this one has a big fake diamond on the end) Oh my, it looks like Queen Elizabeth’s pen.

MANOLA = We explain to friends who listen to us on the radio, that a lady from the audience threw them a very discreet pen, with a diamond ….

IGNAZIO = (Ignazio took the pen in his hand) Madam, is this diamond real? Ah, is that true? (he puts the pen with the diamond in his pocket)😁😁

MAURO = The pen is gone …😁

IGNAZIO = Another pen, thanks.😁

MAURO = Let’s go back to the album, because rightly I saw that, looking at the cover, the friends who follow us can see the image here in the background of the stage, (meanwhile Piero is unwrapping the vinyl record), it reminds us a little of Sergio Leone’s films obviously (director of many westerns with Morricone’s music).

GIAN = But it was totally inspired by that world there. Shooting that world from “Sergio Leone” and those Morricone’s music, is a return to the past that is eternal, that will never die. The vintage taste that really takes everyone, especially the generations who lived through those times, but also young people, who maybe discover something they have never heard or seen.

MAURO = Indeed, she is very beautiful and this (the vinyl record that Piero is discarding) I will tell you immediately, I will steal this, tell Torpedine, where he is around here: “Torpedine, this is for me, thank you “, 😉 your producer.

So 14 songs, you said before that Morricone composed more than 500 songs etc., how did you choose these 14?

PIERO = This was the most difficult phase, choosing the songs, because there are so many. It is clear that we have chosen the most famous ones, those to which we are most connected, for example personally a song that I have always loved, is the one taken from the film NUOVO CINEMA PARADISO, “SE” (meanwhile Piero signs the vinyl record.)

I am linked to that film because you know, it is about this Sicilian child who goes to Rome, to chase his dream, so when I sing it I feel that strong emotion.

Then, together with Andrea Morricone and our producers, who are Swedish, also very knowledgeable about Morricone’s repertoire, we finally found a meeting and this 14-track setlist was born.

MANOLA = Furthermore, this new album was preceded by a concert at the Verona Arena, and directed by the son of Maestro Morricone, Andrea, also an incredible experience.

IGNAZIO = Yes, it also went on the air (the concert) a few days ago, on November 10th for Maestro Morricone’s birthday. It was a great experience, because we were finally back in concert after almost two years in front of an audience, it was the first concert in front of an audience and certainly singing all those melodies, many of which tell true stories, such as Here’s to you, which is one of my favorite songs, which talks about the story of Sacco and Vanzetti and a huge injustice. So it was exciting, both for the songs sung and for the situation in which we found ourselves, after a year and a half, to go back to the concert in front of people, we were also preparing the album, which is now out, so it was a lot nice.

MANOLA = We were talking about your 12-year career before, but there is a moment in your career, even at an international level, that you remember with more affection ….

IGNAZIO = When we met you (laughter)😁😁

MANOLA = I wanted to know this ☺….. I thank you infinitely …. and the second important moment ????

GIAN = When we saw you again (laughter)😁😁

MANOLA = For me the interview can be concluded here !! Thanks.☺

MAURO = (to Piero) And what’s yours?

PIERO = Everyone has their indelible moment, personally when we sang in front of Pope Francis in Panama, during the World Youth Day, that was something unforgettable.

MAURO = There is no Manola to keep!😉

MANOLA = Compared to the Pope, I withdraw !!😁

(starts the live of the song SE…..applause)

MANOLA = It is strange to enter at the end of this song, because it seems to disturb me, Il Volo on Radio Italia only Italian music, strictly live, we specify it, because you look like a record, guys, it’s incredible !!

MAURO = Really good.

GIAN = Thanks!

MANOLA = Well done, well done, well done

MAURO = But, among the 14 songs on the album ….

GIAN = This is my favorite ..

MAURO = His too though (by Piero)

GIAN = …. especially for the text, not only for the melody, because this was written by Andrea Morricone, the son of the master, the film (the music) was written by Andrea, but then the text is wonderful, tells a beautiful love story.

MAURO = Exactly.

IGNAZIO = What I often think is that it is totally different from everything there is today, from all the fashion music, which we listen to today, but I think that these melodies are a little like pizza for Italians, that is they are part of our culture, and we must be really proud of them, because the maestro Morricone has spread great emotions to the whole world with his soundtracks to all the greatest films.

GIAN = I imagine that tomorrow we will read in all the newspapers “Morricone is like pizza” ….😑

MANOLA = Yes, but it’s a nice compliment though.

PIERO = I understand what Ignazio means, we want to explain and clarify the title of this project, of this album, Il Volo sings Morricone. Morricone is not a man whose work is celebrated, Morricone is a genre apart, he has created a completely different genre, and is an eternal genre, which will never die.

MAURO = Indeed, the comparison is correct, it is right.

IGNAZIO = It is part of our culture.

MAURO = It is right and then you are the only ones to bring the Italian Bel Canto around the world, and therefore it was right to think of an album of this genre, with the music of the maestro Ennio Morricone, so congratulations for the idea.

What I wanted to ask you, what was the hardest song to sing, among these 14?

PIERO = Maybe “Amalia por amor”, because it is in Portuguese.

IGNAZIO = No, I think that one of the most difficult has always been “E più ti penso”, yes!

PIERO = Even “Metti una sera a cena”, it was difficult …

MANOLA = Gianluca what do you think?

GIAN = I have to tell you that for them (Piero and Ignazio), it was all particularly difficult … (laughter)😁😁, for me a little less …. no, I’m kidding!

IGNAZIO = He faced everything with high chest !!

GIAN = But I must say that it is not only the acute, the high note, it is a matter of interpretation…

MAURO = Bravo!

GIAN = …. they are very difficult melodies, which move away from “Nessun Dorma” or from songs where there is a need for vocal power, without interpretation these songs cannot be sung.

IGNAZIO = For example there is “Here’s to You”, it is a song that we expressly wanted to sing it in a much lower key than what we could have done, because in any case the songs, especially these songs, as Gianluca says, need of a great interpretation and we worked hard on it, in fact, we sang, re-sung and re-sung this song in the studio to find the perfect emotion and interpretation.

GIAN = Then if you live it in first person, as for example in the song SE of Nuovo Cinema Paradiso ….. even better

PIERO = We understand it, that you are in love, the text speaks of love, we understand it !!!😁

MANOLA = It seems to me a beautiful thing.!

GIAN = It is beautiful indeed …😘

IGNAZIO = I understand, but he is becoming a little like Abruzzo, in everything he puts Abruzzo in the middle !! (laughs)😁

MANOLA = Today it is like this, today Gianluca is in the middle (she mean that Gian is made fun of by Piero and Ignazio)

PIERO = When he breaks up, he’ll sing “And the more I think of you” (laughter)

MANOLA = But why should he leave?

MAURO = Later we hope …

MANOLA = But as late as possible! Since these are the last minutes we spend together, let’s talk about the 2022 tour right away. The orchestra from live and your voices that will somehow blend with this incredible orchestra. You will also leave for the US.

PIERO = March 3, from the US, March – April and then the rest of the world.

We would like to remind you that we will sing in Italy in two different periods: summer and autumn.

In the autumn we will do the sports halls and soon we will publish the dates.

MANOLA = Are you excited?

IGNAZIO = A lot

MANOLA = Meet the live audience again …

IGNAZIO = We can’t wait, but we really can’t wait, because we always say that concerts are the maximum expression of an artist, where you can feel really free, because yes, the interviews where you tell about yourself are beautiful, but on stage you can express everything and have that adrenaline, and it’s very different from doing interviews.

PIERO = It is the magical expression of our deepest joy.

MAURO = In the meantime, between now and when you leave for the tour, you can always come here and meet the audience in our Reward Play.

IGNAZIO = Yes, but I don’t want to have that man who hurries everyone (he points to a man behind the scenes), if we come here, we start in the morning and finish in the evening.

MAURO = No, no, don’t worry, we’ll tie him up that day.

PIERO = But you have to redo Palermo (He refers to a summer event made by Radio Italia in a square in Palermo, with great success)

MANOLA = We will do it again, we hope.

MAURO = But surely, if it can be done, it will be done. In the meantime we are waiting for you here, if you come to visit us: Radio Italia live, so at least the friends who are here (audience) can see you sing live, do a kind of dress rehearsal.

PIERO = So let’s do the rehearsal (he shows the vinyl record) This is the new album, close-up on the album: Il Volo Sings Morricone, our new album.

MAURO = Thanks guys, thanks to everyone.

MANOLA = Thanks to IL VOLO.

G + P + I = Grazie mille, bye bye.

Nice interview, and how wonderful those two songs.

I’m sorry that you have waited a long time for this translation, but my PC started to throw a tantrum, several times I had to redo some pieces.

Meanwhile, our young men, tireless, continue the promotion of the CD, they have already been to Spain and Germany and now they will also do two instore, one in Milan and one in Rome.

Finally I am attaching this beautiful video that was published a few days ago, it is Piero who sings the AVE MARIA at his best friend’s wedding, in June of this year. Good viewing!

Daniela

Credit to owners of all photos and videos.

Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!

“The Music of the Night” from IL VOLO e Clase, YouTube

I hope you have enjoyed reading my story and send you all my love.💗 Kirsten.

Adorable then! Drop dead gorgeous now!

Two years ago, I wrote a story called Moments to Remember. It was moments from the time the guys met in 2009 until 2021. Those were great moments, and I will talk about them again in this story, but I will also add some more recent moments to remember on this Walk Down Memory Lane.

As a child living in New York, I had a choice. New York Yankees or Dodgers. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, so this one is a no brainer. Dodgers, it is! I even forgave them when they moved to LA. That’s true love!

But why am I telling you this at the beginning of an Il Volo story?

Today when I was watching Ignazio’s CHAT on Bosky TV I asked him this question, “What was it like to sing the American National Anthem at the opening of the Dogers game?”

His beautiful reply was, “It was great, one of the best experiences of my life! One of the BEST experiences of my life!”

So, let’s start this story with “one of the best experiences” of Ignazio’s life, the day the guys sang our National Anthem.

What I love about all of this, beyond what Ignazio said, these young men were proud to sing our Anthem. Furthermore, on many American holidays, wherever they are they sing our Anthem.

This video is when they sang it in New York with Bruno Vespa on a special Porta Porta! It was to honor those lost on 911.

Guys for us you are Americans! As teenagers you were indoctrinated into our culture, and we are so proud of you!

Il Volo and baseball, what a score!

For the fourth episode of Ti Lascio Una Canzone, the boys are given the music for “O Sole Mio.” They walked out on the stage, sang “O Sole Mio” and walked off stars!

At this point Michele’s head is spinning. He’s thinking these guys are good and again repeats it to himself, they’re good! He thinks, “What if I try to put them together seriously? A trio, he tells himself.”

The rest is history!

We Are the World for Haiti

Barbara Streisand’s Back to Brooklyn Tour

In 2012 Barbra Streisand invited the guys to be an integral part of her “Back to Brooklyn” tour. They performed with her in America and Canada. They were not an opening act, no, they shared the stage with Barbara. To the guys this was a dream come true!

2014 Latin Billboard Music Awards

The Christmas Concert at the Italian Senate, December 21, 2014

Ignazio wrote in their book:

The most exciting moments? Everyone! But the hymn of ‘Mameli’ was the heart-pounding one, the first song, singing in that place, with everyone singing along with us, including Giorgio Napolitano, (President) and Pietro Grasso (President of the Senate). It is one thing that I cannot explain.

And then, of course, the pleasure of shaking hands with the President of the Republic and of feeling that he knows Marsala, he has been there.

Sanremo Music Festival 2015

Eurovision 2015

Piazza Santa Croce in Florence, July 1, 2016 “Notte Magica”

Ignazio Conducts the Asti Symphony Orchestra on Jul 5th, 2017

World Youth Day Jan 27, 2019

If you ask the guys after winning Sanremo, which truly brought them home, “What was your greatest performance,” they would probably answer, there were two. Singing for the Holy Father at World Youth Day was one of the most amazing events in their life!

The night they turned on the lights!

The SMA Awards September 12, 2020

The guys went to the Verona Arena to perform at the first live performance since everything thing was shut down in Italy in March 2020.

Before the show they were stopped and asked this question by a woman reporter:

Reporter: You are international entertainers therefore you know how much the live dimension is missing. But above all you have defined the stage as your natural element. So, how is it for you to return to a live performance tonight?

When the guys arrived on stage, they had a message for the world and all people in the industry.

Ignazio: 2020 will be remembered as the year where the world would be constrained to be turned off.

Gianluca: For the music employees the verb turnoff means the end of the show, when the curtains close and it is the waiting moment for the next show, but this time the waiting lasted more than expected, the silence was unavoidable.

Piero: Now, the world is getting ready to start again! Now the moment has arrived to raise the curtain! Now, we will turn on the music!”

After they sang Carlo Conti and Vanessa Incontrada spoke with them.

Conti: Il Volo

Vanessa: What a moment you made us live, what can we tell you?

Conti: Thanks guys.

Gianluca: Good evening everyone.

Conti: I must say: You are always better!

Vanessa: Guys we were, Carlo and I, in silence looking at you, with goosebumps, good!!

Of course, for Puccini’s Turandot, but also for what you said at the beginning.

It was dedicated to them. My thoughts go to them and all their families.

Conti: You three are wonderful stars who travel the world and bring Italian music up in the world.

Vanessa: Singing live, of course you miss it, but what do you expect from this future?

Vanessa: For you and the entire audience, it’s obvious.

Piero: When we leave the house, our fans often ask us when the concerts will resume. We want to say that this is an evening of hope, and to tell everyone that in 2021, in any way, we will return to the stage.

Vanessa: Good.

Conti: You were supposed to be here just a week ago in concert, instead it’s postponed. It’s just, all just postponed, but we’ll be back. Thanks, Gianluca, thanks Piero, thanks Ignazio.

Vanessa: Thanks for being here with us.

Gianluca: (addressed to the audience) We love you.

Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio: Bye!

Conti: Great protagonists of this evening, they had the task of starting the official part.

New Beginnings!

Verona ~ Il Volo Sings Morricone

One of the most memorable Il Volo concerts in history. They walked on the stage and set the world on Fire!

In my story Phenomenal, I say I could write a book about this concert, and I could but, this is what I had to say about the opening number, The Ecstasy of Gold.

The first note and we immediately know it’s “The Ecstasy of Gold.” The whistle of the wind!

For me, this was one of their most amazing concerts! Very memorable! To read more about it got to www.Ilvoloflightcrw.com ~ Phenomenal

Por Una Cabeza, Il Volo at Luna Park Buenos Aires October 30, 2019

So, I will end by going back to the beginning. This last moment tells me how far the guys have come and how the strangers became brothers.

So, we end here with some of the most memorable moments in Il Volo history. It was an amazing Walk Down Memory Lane that leads us to where they are today! Back on the road sharing their lives with us!

Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!

If you would like to share a story with me, please email: susan.flightcrew@yahoo.com

To read more Il Volo stories visit us at www.ilvoloflightcrw.com

Thanks to Judy Paullin Thurman who provided many of the photos in this story. And thanks to the owners of videos!

What made this year different? I’m going to say the same thing I did last year! You wake up every morning and turn on the news and no matter where you live New York, Italy, Germany, Russia, Australia, the news is the same – Wash Your Hands! Wear a Mask! Social Distance!

Those we left behind!

Ignazio Conducts the Asti Symphony Orchestra on Jul 5^th, 2017