Sometimes whole days go by without anything new happening in our “Il Volo universe”, then suddenly in three days three news and videos that I cannot leave out.
I have already given you the news of the opening at the Arena on June 5th, now there are two beautiful new videos that I intend to translate for you, here is the first.
Michele Torpedine was interviewed this morning April 09, by Marzia Roncacci from TG 2 ITALIA. The title of the special program is “How the Good Singers are Born”.
MR = Here we are ready, good morning welcome back to TG2 Italia.
Today is Friday, we are closing the week, so we are all a little happier. We will keep you company until 11:00 am, today we have a really rich episode “piatto ricco, mi ci ficco”. (Italian way of saying that means: rich dish, I take it).
We want to talk about these characters, who may not often appear, who are behind the scenes, who are however discoverers of great talent, talented people, such as, if I tell you Bocelli, Giorgia, Zucchero, but also the guys from Il Volo: “The talent of Il Volo,” behind all these great characters, who make the history of Italian music, who is there?
There is Michele Torpedine, good morning.
MT = Good morning, Marzia.
MR = So: musician, Michele, right?
MT = Yes, it’s a big word, but it’s okay.
MR = How is a big word? You are very modest, come on.
MT = I’ve been playing for many years, but by musician, I mean something else, but it’s okay.
MR = Do you like it then: talent scout?
MT = Yes, very lucky, but I like it.
MR = I said these names of singers, which would seem almost impossible, instead you are the one who discovered them ….
MT = Because to see me, it doesn’t seem, in fact.
MR = It wouldn’t seem (they both laugh)
MT = Thank you, many are amazed when they see me and think “that’s all?”
MR = They say “Is that all here, Michele Torpedine?”
MT = One imagines that who knows what comes in, a huge, tall, double-breasted man …. and then in the end, I’m all here!
MR = Dear Michele, obviously we are joking, playing, because what we want to do and say today is also with a little irony. But Michele Torpedine really also has a great and beautiful story. In short, you come a little out of nowhere, Michele, you are born in Puglia and when very young you go to Bologna. A modest family and then you at some point you put the gear.
MT = You are very kind and modest …… you exaggerated! But we did it anyway. It is clear that it was hard at the beginning, like all families who come from the south and need to work immediately, maybe you miss school, study, you miss many things, and me and my brothers at 8/10 years we were already at work.
MR = The famous workforce, Michele, especially in the south.
MT = Workforce made up of children and families, however….
MR = But then we will see some photos of you that make us understand that when a person gives his all, and with your determination Michele ….
MT = The important thing is that they are not photos in a bathing suit, then everything is fine.
MR = But no, we don’t show the photos in a bathing suit, but we put the photos next to the President of the United States.
Listen Michele, great surprise for our audience, we talked about the three wonderful guys from Il Volo, here you are we see you embraced with them (in the photo) and we have one of the three with us, here he is ready . . . Piero Barone!
Good Morning!
MT= Good Morning Piero
Piero = Good morning, hello Marzia, hello Michele.
MR = Piero, I was now telling Michele that you are the man of surprises, did you give us this nice surprise this morning, did we get you out of bed?
MT = No, he is an early riser.
Piero = No, absolutely. Today you describe me as the man of surprises, but it is a program dedicated to Michele and it is right to make dedications to Michele. It is he who has been the biggest surprise of our life.
MR = Really, how nice! Listen Piero, one thing about dedications, if you wanted to make a quick dedication to our great Michele Torpedine, what would you say, in a nutshell?
MT = And here I want you, Piero!
Piero = Michele, to friends and people who do not know him personally, I always describe him as a skilled chess player, he knows how to wait and make the right move at the right time.
His greatest virtue is that of knowing how to teach his trade. But what many don’t know is that Michele is actually the real artist. He in us, makes his dreams come true.
MR = Mamma mia, how beautiful, what Piero says makes us reflect a lot.
MT = Piero is actually right, in fact, maybe I am a failed artist.
MR = But Piero said something wonderful, it is a little like a transposition, from Michele, everything he feels, that he dreams, his state of mind, he transmits, in this case to Il Volo, these three guys wonderful that on this, on their dreams, we go to see Il Volo in Sanremo, with GRANDE AMORE, how beautiful !! Let’s watch. (start of a short video of the first evening of Sanremo 2015).
MR = Piero Barone, what a thrill, this is a great victory you had on the stage of Sanremo, you, so international, what effect does it make you see yourself again?
Piero = I always have the chills to see that performance again and I remember those moments, as if it happened last night, because we had been traveling since 2009, we had concerts everywhere, except in Italy and this thing made us suffer a lot.
Now, thanks to Sanremo in 2015, we did the concerts here in Italy and this was a great victory.
MR = Listen, Piero, I remember a wonderful concert, where I had the opportunity to be the only journalist, the one in Florence. Michele Torpedine, you were there. You invited me, and I had the opportunity to get to know all three guys from Il Volo very well and they are very funny, needless to tell you what we have been able to do!
Having said that, in Florence, I remember, people in tears. Piero, how is it possible that you make people cry when you sing? However, yours is also a particular music, isn’t it Michele?
MT = Bel canto and opera win over everything else, always. You also win with whoever is doing piano bar at that moment there. The opera has its own charm, not surprisingly it has lasted for 300/400 years.
MR = You are right. Piero, what are your memories of Florence? I remember the stage was set up like an opera house, with large red curtains, even though it was outdoors. Stupendous.
Piero = Firenze was a tribute to the three tenors, with the participation of Maestro Placido Domingo, on stage to direct the orchestra and then to sing with us, and also the support of the Pavarotti foundation.
I want to say, but many know it, that the tribute to the three tenors, this event dedicated to the three tenors, is an idea born from Michele Torpedine.
We were in Taormina at the pool in 2015, actually a year earlier, and he came at 8:00 am, for breakfast, to tell us this idea.
MR = Exactly, at breakfast Michele you presented yourself with your idea that was born in the night, I imagine.
MT = I don’t remember the time, but I had prepared myself first because I didn’t want to make a bad impression, and then I didn’t know their reaction, I couldn’t imagine. To do such a repertoire, you have to be up to it, at least to be credible, and they did it in a month.
MR = Incredible, how nice that concert was.
Listen, Michele, what anecdotes you have linked to Piero, to the boys of Il Volo, I imagine so many, in so many years that you collaborate together.
MT = Remember … after almost 12 years, Piero help me, we could tell many things.
Piero = Michele, the first meeting.
MR = The first meeting, come on what happened?
MT = We can’t tell you some things, but the first meeting was wonderful, because we were in the RAI dressing rooms, during the Miss Italy in the world program, it seems to me, in Iesolo (beautiful seaside town).
I arrived there in this place, they were 13/14 years old, almost children, they destroyed a dressing room for the joy of meeting us, they were crazy, you don’t know how they left their RAI studios. A disaster, but it was a wonderful emotion to meet them.
MR = Piero, have you destroyed a dressing room? What behavior is this !!
Piero = We were very happy, the first experiences Michele was there, we saw him as a person on the covers of magazines and in the dedications of many singers.
MT = The great thing was seeing them after years, on stage with the myth of music that is Barbra Streisand. Seeing them with her, doing a 12 concert tour with her, was one thing …..
MR = Of course, I can say Michele that you, these guys, and other names that we will then obviously also talk about them, are truly a source of pride for our Italy all over the world.
Now you said …. seeing them very young, beautiful, good, even this very clean image of guys who have achieved this with commitment, is important. Seeing them with Barbra Streisand singing together doesn’t just happen every day.
MT = But then a duet with her, because it’s a different thing than opening concerts. They were guests on the show and she introduced them, which is wonderful.
MR = Beautiful, here they are. Piero, speaking of international experiences, Michele now remembered you with Barbra Streisand, who have duet with her, which is different than opening a concert, they are always emotions that make you fly, indeed, that make us fly, just like your name says, no?
Piero = These are relationships that are born and built along the way. Clearly if you show yourself what you really are, these characters, these legends, then they appreciate you. The tours are beautiful, even the performances made together, but the relationship that remains even afterwards with these artists is beautiful.
MR = Listen, Piero, and also Michele, how do you explain this great success of yours, of three young people, because you are now very well established, even abroad, it is not so easy, there are few known ones and they can be counted on tips of the fingers.
Piero = Our success is the echo, it is the resonance of the music we sing. As Pavarotti did in the past, bel canto is the winning weapon. Bel canto is the most popular Italian music in the world, and it is nice to see in any theater or arena in the world, even in Japan, when the public hears these melodies, written right here in Italy, they go into ecstasy. Our voices also contribute, it is clear, and to hear young people with these voices …. but it is clear that if we didn’t sing this kind of music, it would be much more difficult.
MR = How nice, Piero, I want to thank you very much for being with us at TG2 Italia, I hope to have you here soon, also with the other two colleagues of course maybe also with Michele.
MT = I think Piero should tell you what will happen in June.
MR = Piero, what will happen in June? Verona? I will be there, I will have a double mask, Piero what will happen in June?
MT = Let’s have Piero say it.
Piero = This lockdown helped us to reflect and work on the next project. We are recording and finalizing the voices of the new album that we will present on June 5th at the Verona Arena. It will be a tribute to the Oscar-winning master Ennio Morricone. We will sing the repertoire of master Morricone, with all the written melodies, among other things of songs that we did not know had already been written by the master. We are very excited about this project that fills us with so much responsibility, but responsibility is perfectly associated with adrenaline and we can’t wait to get on that stage.
MR = How beautiful, how beautiful, we can’t wait. Piero Barone, thank you! June 5th we said Verona!
MT = It will be live on RAI 1.
MR = Live on Rai 1 with the music of Morricone and with these wonderful singers, the three from Il Volo, who are truly a preciousness for the world and for our Italy. Thanks Piero, good job, really thanks.
MT = Bye Piero
MR = Bye Piero
Piero = Bye everyone, bye Michele, bye Marzia.
It was a good interview.
Piero said very nice things about Torpedine and full of gratitude.
Then confirmed by the words of Piero and Torpedine that on June 5 at the Arena, the tribute to Morricone.
Soon we will know something about the admitted audience.
There is a little agitation, but a lot of emotion, in just under two months we start “singing” again !!!
It’s always difficult to decide where to start with Nico. Yes, he’s complicated but, always delightful! Perhaps looking at where Nico came from can give us a better idea of who he is.
Nico (Domenico) Arezzo was born in Ragusa, Sicily on October 2, 1998. You might say he was born and raised on a stage, initially “with drumsticks in his hands” … but soon the need to put one note after another brought him to the guitar. Both of his parents are entertainers. His mother Emanuela Curcio is dancer and a dance teacher, and his father Peppe Arezzo is a pianist and an Orchestra Conductor. Nico also has a younger sister Emma. Once I commented to Peppe, she’s a little Nico! Like Nico, she’s into everything!
But what is it I see in this family that gives me a good feeling? Values, good values! I talk a lot about values because I think it molds beautiful people. When I write about Il Volo or when I write my BOIN stories what do I always go back to, good values. To understand where I’m coming from, let’s take a closer look at the Arezzo family.
When you’re a family of entertainers, it seems someone is always traveling so, whenever everyone has the opportunity to be together, it’s a festival. And what do they celebrate? Everything! Nico explains it in this way.
I’m down, (in Ragusa, his home). It’s Christmas time. We celebrate birthdays when it’s not the right day. We celebrate birthdays when we are together. Tomorrow or maybe the day after tomorrow it’s my turn!
And during his time at home for Christmas 2020, Nico experienced his first earthquake. He said, “Yesterday I felt my first earthquake in history. It was weird, powerful! I’m down! It’s Christmas time and everything is shaking! Happy birthday to everyone.”
“Merry Christmas to everyone. Happy birthday today or yesterday? If it was yesterday sorry for the delay. Happy birthday to you.”
How did Nico get to where he is? Certainly, he got his talent from his mom and dad but how did he get to where he is today?
Nico first came to my attention in 2017 when he won the Festival Show in Verona with the song “Se Vuoi” (If You Want). I happened to be in Italy at the time and I was very taken by his performance at the Festival. Nico can be very engaging and, you can get lost in Nico’s words and actions. Nico said “Se Vuoi” made him move! I say Nico made “Se Vuoi” move! Nico said he was drawn to this song because, “It’s a song that forces the body to move even without wanting. It’s a fresh song that turns on everything that can be turned on … the same freshness that I want to convey now that the music has taken my whole life.” The song is exciting and lively, like Nico! I remember that his voice captured me. He has lots of rhythm and expression. He immediately captured the audience. And I’m sure he captured the attention of at least one of the judges there that night, Michele Torpedine.
And what did Michele have to say about this event, “This is the first moment where we understood.” He certainly did! After the Festival Michele signed Nico and so did Ignazio! Great idea! Great choice!
What makes Nico so good? He’s very talented and the team is amazing! Nico Arezzo, Ignazio Boschetto and Michele Torpedine! Collaboration complete!
Nico is versatile! How about Nico and Ignazio singing a Pino Daniele medley? Anyone who sings a Pino Daniele song, gets a seat in my corner!
Nico along with Ignazio, Davide Marchi and Francesco Landi, wrote and set to music the song “Volo” which Nico sang at the Sanremo Festival Giovani in 2019. In the song there is the desire of the singer to live 360 degrees, with joys, pains, emotions and also a lot of love. But that’s not all, what struck everyone about his performance was his ability to play the guitar, an element that has conquered the public, the judges and the critics. He can make that guitar Scream!
In January 2020, Ignazio started Floki Productions. Nico was the first artist to sign a contract with Ignazio under Floki. This made lots of sense to me. In many ways Nico reminds me of Ignazio. He knows what he wants and he goes after it.
And, in the mist of the pandemic, Ignazio did a LIVE on Instagram to present the first release by Floki. Gorilla!
In “Gorilla”, Nico comes alive! He is the Gorilla in the jungle! He has the feeling and the expression for this song. He’s bouncing all over the stage. He’s definitely got the moves! It’s so catchy! And people love it!
Following the release of Gorilla, Nico did an interview with Nico Donvito, an Italian Music Blogger. In this interview, I saw another side of Nico. We hear this young man talk about his music. His place in the music industry. How he got there and all the people who are responsible for his journey.
I heard a, very, intelligent and, responsible young man who has worked hard to get to where he is. He talks about, who he is, where he came from and how he sees his future.
Right out the gate, Nico impressed me with his insight. Nico saw “Gorilla” as a means of escape from where we are in our world today and an expression of where he finds himself in the world. Nico said, “ ‘Gorilla’ has a fresh taste, because in the last few months we have been a bit obliged to heavy thoughts, to stop and reflect on important things, to close ourselves in ourselves. At a certain point the moment comes when you need a beer on the beach with your friends, ‘Gorilla’ is just that, something not at all thick which and, in certain situations, can be essential.”
That’s pretty deep and right on. It was almost as if Nico was saying I wrote this song two years ago, but this was its moment. It’s when it was needed. To say that the ‘Gorilla’ is that moment in time when you need to kick back or as Nico put it when you need a beer on the beach with your friends, yes, that’s exactly what “Gorilla” is. Its’ light and intriguing and it brought us away from all the madness that preceded it. Perhaps, the sign that Ignazio made the day that “Gorilla” was released, that seemed to upset so many people, was nothing more that Ignazio saying: Let’s take the weight of the world and toss it aside. You had your way and now, we’re going to have ours!
One of the things I love about Nico is he is always looking for ways to entertain us! In February, he decided to travel around Bologna with some friends and a mattress. They sat around on the mattress and greeted people as they went by! Nico said, “I don’t wanna be romantic but every now and then there are certain tangles you hardly imagined. You know those blurry photos that are beautiful just because they’re blurry! Those people you don’t know but who greet you, and you greet them, and then you talk to them! Today I text a friend of mine, Do you have a rope? I need it to tie a mattress to the top of my car.’ He reminded me that I don’t have a car. True, I don’t have a car, so I don’t have a roof!” And that’s Nico’s humor which grabs us and keeps us laughing!
And where is Nico now? In his words, “There are days that if I focus, Traffic Lights go green when I want.”
Nico’s new song, “Polline (pollen)” has been released. Nico says, ‘I wrote almost all of my song in this notebook. ‘Polline’ was born a year ago. This summer this notebook fell into the sea, dried in the sun and ‘Polline’ remains legible.”
In a review a writer said: This is a “new piece in the path of the artist produced by Ignazio Boschetto. Nico Arezzo’s ‘Polline’ is the single that marks the return of one of the most talented songwriters of the new generation already the winner of the Festival Show a few years ago.” I couldn’t have said it better myself!
Nico tell us, “This song has been ready for at least a year, in the meantime I have written many other things, I have explored a new musical genre that you will listen to soon and I am evolving but, this piece, I absolutely did not want to abandon it because I am very attached to it.
‘Polline’ is a song to which I am very attached, especially, literally. It’s a piece that comes almost as a challenge. They said to me, ‘Can you talk about a relationship that’s over but, looking back, you can say ‘but it was beautiful’? And so, even though there may be a small void hidden between the lines of the song, thinking that I haven’t lived through that story would make me sadder.”
And how did Nico preview this new song on Instagram? Honey jars! Nico said, “I’m releasing a new track this month. Every day I will add a jar of honey in my fridge with a letter on it, not in order. I start today! Go into my stories, write in the comments the first word you think of. Try not to guess right away or you will ruin everything for me! Every day a jar a letter! Oddly, though my Italian is very limited, I guessed what it was!
What is the song about? The answer is in one line of the song! “They say you can understand a person from what you find in his fridge.” Let’s go to Nico’s fridge and see what he’s really all about!
(Floki Productionby Ignazio BoschettoandMichele Torpedine.Pollinewas produced atTake Away Studios in Modena.)
Another amazing video! It makes me smile! It makes me laugh! It makes me happy! Nico, everything you do excites me! From day one I knew you would bring a fresh approach to the music industry and I was right. You have such energy and, all your projects are ambitious like you. Your videos present the real you!
Yes, you’re Complicated but, your delivery is always Delightful!
Yes, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca are our family! Why do I call them family? We’re their fans, yes, but, we are more than fans. We certainly do all the things that fans do but it goes deeper than that because our guys are different than other entertainers. The difference is the guys think of us as their extended family. Why? Very simply because they grew up with us. They spend more time with us than they do with their families. And they show us their love in everything they do. Think of how they treat us! When you meet them they embrace you. Most entertainers just want your praise and accolades. Not our guys! They want to know about us! They ask about our lives and our families. They listen to us and do things to please us. And think about how you spent your last nine months listening to their music and feeling secure with every song! So what is family? Family are the people who are there when you need them. When you’re sad you can always feel their love and their encouragement! Family is not just blood it’s the people who are there for us!
So let’s take a look at how our Italian family spends their Christmas.
The Christmas season starts in Italy on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary which is also a holiday in Italy. This is the day that many Italians put up their Christmas trees and the cities light up their streets with colored lights. Why? Because Mary is the mother of the Light, Jesus! But there are other traditions that are celebrated on this day!
Let’s go to Naro, Piero’s city, to see how they celebrate the Christmas season.
Every year, on the 7th, 8th and 9th of December, every inhabitant in Naro stocks up on muffuletti. Muffuletti is a bread which is stuffed with meat and vegetables. Some people go to their local baker to buy them and some people prepare them at home. The tradition is linked to religion. Naro’s sandwiches are blessed and distributed in Churches at the end of the Mass on the feast day of the Immaculate Conception. The bakers donate the muffuletti to the Churches as a gesture of generosity towards their fellow countrymen but, above all, of love towards “a bedda matri ‘Mmaculata”, the Most Holy Immaculate.
During the month of December, the Christmas markets are held in Naro. The Fair is set up inside the cloister of the Town Hall. Many people go to the Franciscan cloister where, every evening, to the delight of the children, there is a special snowfall that whitens the baroque courtyard. On the final evening there is a concert of Sicilian folk music and an award is given for the best photo taken at the large Christmas tree in Piazza Garibaldi.
During this magical period the streets are colored by many Christmas lights and everyone visits the living nativity scene of Borgo Castello. There is Mass on Christmas Eve and between hugs, kisses and best wishes there are a thousand good intentions. And then, on Christmas day, the family gathers together for a dinner laden with many local delicacies.
And what would Piero do on Christmas day? Most likely, he will walk around Naro and visit some older people and his friends. He certainly would have decorated his home so I’m sure he will make a video for all of us to see. He will most likely sing at the Christmas Eve or Christmas Day Mass. And I’m sure he will spend time singing with his grandfather, Pietro. Most importantly, he will spend the day with his family!
Christmas in Bologna! How does Ignazio celebrate Christmas?
Unlike Piero and Gianluca, Ignazio and his family live in a big city and like cities in America there are many events.
The Christmas tradition in Bologna has deep roots. The Bolognese Nativity Scene (Presepe) goes back to the middle ages. The tradition of the Presepe dates back to the 13th century and one of the oldest Presepe in the world is preserved in Bologna. What makes the Bolognese Nativity different? It is life size and includes clothes that are different from the traditional Neapolitan style. They are dressed in a medieval style. In Porretta Terme in the Emilian Apennines another Presepe which is one of the oldest Presepe in the world is kept in the church of Capugnano.
I’m sure Ignazio will visit the Christmas Tree in Piazza Nettuno. It is a Bolognese tradition. The beautiful tree is a welcoming and bright place to meet friends and feel the warmth of Christmas.
So, what will Ignazio’s family eat on Christmas? I’m sure on Christmas Eve there will be fish on the table. This is the tradition in every Italian house on “La Vigilia,” Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, there is another tradition. Lunch is the main meal and Pasta in brodo (pasta in broth) will certainly be served. In Bologna, it’s all about meat-filled tortellini in capon broth. These, small, ravioli, are filled with a mixture of meat, mortadella and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese but you will find in Bologna every family has its secret ingredient for them. You’ll recall in a recent interview, Ignazio mentioned his family buying Tortellini every Sunday.
The soup will most likely be followed by a roast and the meal will end with a traditional dessert like Certosino (or Pan speziale) which is made with almonds, pine nuts, dark chocolate and candied fruits. The recipe has its origin in the Middle Ages where Certosino was produced by pharmacists and later by Certosini Friars. Certosino is very popular in Bologna.
Having said this, I will say, since Ignazio is vegan, there are certain parts of this meal he won’t eat. He will certainly eat the dessert! What I do know is by tradition, Ignazio will join his family to celebrate Christmas Day!
So what will Gianluca do on Christmas?
A Montepagano tradition is the Nativity scene. At the end of the last century a famous living Nativity play was started in Montepagano which is a real theatrical performance, with a director and a narrator.
In the Abruzzi region, there is a tradition that bagpipers, so called zampognari come into the towns and play their flutes and bagpipes for the people. They symbolize the shepherds who come in search of the new born baby, Jesus. The bagpipers were once shepherds, today they are musicians who walk the streets of the cities, playing Christmas music. Often they are in pairs and one plays the zampognari (bagpipe) and the other the ciaramella (which is similar to a small piccolo).
For certain Gianluca will celebrate December 24th, Christmas Eve with a meal of fish including shellfish because he lives by the sea. As far as food traditions are concerned, on Christmas Day, the typical dish of the whole region of Abruzzo is spaghetti alla chitarra (which is prepared on a particular instrument called a guitar, because it is made of wood with metal strings) but most likely Gianluca will eat Lasagna. The second course will be arrosticini, which are pieces of meat, traditionally lamb, strung on long sticks, similar to a kebab. And for dessert, they will most likely have the traditional Christmas cake, Panettone.
Gianluca will surely spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with his family including his Grandpa Ernesto!
If you’re wondering where Santa Claus is, in Italy he is known as “Babbo Natale,” Father Christmas,who brings presents to children on Christmas Eve but, in true Italian style, gifts are exchanged on January 6th the day of Epiphany when La Befana comes to Italian homes in search of the Christ Child and leaves gifts for the children. This is a tradition that is celebrated in the central regions of Italy. La Befana is an old woman, with a hooked nose, badly dressed, with a handkerchief on her head, grumpy but good, she is not a witch. On January 6th, riding through the sky, flying on a broom, La Befana lands on the roofs, enters the houses from the chimneys and descends from the fireplace, leaving gifts and sweets in the big socks that the children place in front of the fireplace. If they were good, they get sweets. If they were bad, she leaves coal in the form of a sweet black candy. I’m sure there will be many sweets for Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca!
I would like to mention an important member of Il Volo’s family. Michele Torpedine! His family is originally from the region of Puglia. He moved to Bologna when he was twelve years old. So he will celebrate Christmas with his family and the celebration would be similar to Ignazio’s!
I would like to thank two people who contributed to this Christmas story. Maura PucciandGiovanni Granaro. Their knowledge of the regions of Montepagano and Naro and the different Christmas traditions made this story come to life!
In closing, I would like to thank two ladies who make all my stories come to life! Daniela Perani(a/k/a Sherlock Holmes) who is my second pair of eyes and provides all the photos and videos for my stories and Patricia Ward who does the layouts and final uploads for the stories.
I want to wish all of my Christian friends a Merry Christmas and all my Jewish friends a Happy Chanukah! And all my other friends, All the Happiness and Joy of the Season!
And finally I’m sure you will join me in wishing Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca and their families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with many Concerts!
Il Volo’s Tribute to Ennio Morricone in the Shadow of St. Peter’s Basilica
When Ennio Morricone died I knew there would be a tribute to him and I was certain Il Volo would be the one to pay tribute to him but, I never imagined that it would be on such a grand scale.
Morricone had already made his mark in the music industry long before our guys were born but, to be honest, they have a lot in common. They both did the impossible and they did it by taking their music around the world!
Morricone brought his music around the world through his films. He won acclaim in America by revolutionizing the music and motion picture industry with his musical scores. People may not know his name but if you ask them if they know the theme from “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” they’ll say, “of course.” Morricone has certainly left his mark all over the world!
Likewise, our guys brought their music around the world. Through their bel canto, they left their mark all over the world. They are superstars in North and South America, throughout Europe and Asia. And now Italy! They revolutionized the music industry with their Operatic pop or Popera and Classical music.
In America, Morricone won an Oscar and an Oscar Life Achievement Award. In Italy he won among other awards a Donatello, which is the equivalent of the Oscar in America.
And what did our guys do, in America they won the Latin American Billboard Award and in Italy, among other awards, they won Sanremo, the greatest achievement in the Italian music industry! And let’s not forget the millions of albums they sold worldwide!
These great Italian men have made their country proud by their achievements around the world. They have brought Italy to every corner of the world through their music.
It’s so interesting to think that just five years ago the guys were concerned because they weren’t recognized in their own country and, now they are representing their country around the world in this wonderful project. The event is part of United For The World, a format that combines music and visual arts, born from an idea by Thomas Errera. Who could imagine that this project would take off on such a grand scale? In the shadow of St. Peter’s Basilica? In your wildest imagination would you ever think that such an event would take place in such a prestigious place?
This event could draw over a million people. Think of the canonization of another great Italian man, Padre Pio, which took place at St. Peter’s Square just behind Piazza Pio XII. There was a sea of people that extended from the doors of St. Peter’s back to the Tiber River. I know! I was there! An amazing event and now our guys get to be the presenters of this phenomenal event in this amazing place.
Getting back to the guys at the press conference!
We’re talking about four remarkable men, Il Volo and Ennio Morricone, who have done extraordinary things in the music industry.
So, what did the guys have to say about this event?
Gianluca said: “The great Maestro Morricone was a source of inspiration for us, we also got to know him and work with him, especially in the studio, when we were children of 14 and 15 years old and were recording our first album. It is a source of pride and, perhaps, I allow myself to say that he is the greatest composer of the twentieth century, so we know that this project, this tribute, requires a great responsibility.
We will work hard because this is also the way to bring our musical heritage around the world, but above all, our culture, because he has made millions of people dream all over the world with his soundtracks and of course our goal has always been to bring and be ambassadors of bel canto all over the world, but not with presumption.
Piero said: “When we presented this project to other countries, North America, South America, Japan and many European countries, there was great enthusiasm on their part, because, as you well know, a couple of years ago we did a concert-event and the film was shown on American TV, and our goal is to convey Italian beauty with the music that surrounds us. In this event we are above all enthusiastic about the positive feedback from those who have collaborated, with Maestro Morricone, in recent years, such as the Sinfonietta Orchestra, which has always played with the Maestro, so we are talking to them. We are really excited and delighted that there is this interest on their part.
Ignazio was asked “as your colleagues have already mentioned, in the past you have also had close relationships with the teacher.”
Ignazio said:“Yes, they have already said everything but, I’ll put the icing on the cake… It was in 2011, when we had the luck, the pleasure and the honor of singing E PIÙ TI PENSO, which is a song that was part of our first album. We sang in Piazza del Popolo, in Rome, and we have this beautiful memory… We were young and at our age we had the experience of sharing the stage with one of the greatest composers in history, with greater tranquility.”
The Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, welcomed the guys with these words:
“It is a special moment. Let me greet three guys who are internationally renowned, with extraordinary voices and who bring bel canto all over the world and allow traditions to be kept alive.
We need to think about the future, carrying a message of hope. Our goal is to focus on major events, on culture, on the possibility that this city joins artists of national and international caliber. The idea is to attract investment. Work must restart.
Today we present a great event that will take place on June 5th, 2021, a tribute to Ennio Morricone. It will be a free concert of the highest level, the beginning of a series of concerts, because we need fixed appointments that remind us what we are able to do. This event is meant to be the beginning. It is a strong signal.
This is meant to be a tribute at a time when we need unity. Thanks to the guys and all those who are working on this great event.”
The creator of the event is Thomas Errera and the project is followed by their manager Michele Torpedine and produced by Friends & Partners and MT Opera & Blues.
Ferdinando Salzano (Friends & Partners) in reply to Mayor Raggi, said: “June 5th will be a historic date, because it will be a great street event in an extraordinary location of international value. It could be the revival date for live music. There will be a great live broadcast…. There will be many guests.”
But it doesn’t stop there! The guys let us know there is a great recording project in the works in conjunction with this event.
“Il Volo’s Tribute to Ennio Morricone”is the title of the next album by our three artists with worldwide publication for Sony Music. This is also part of United For The World,” a project that combines music and visual arts. It is a project that, through entertainment, aims to raise awareness on important global issues such as the care and protection of the planet.
And the guys have let us know that as part of the event and the new album”Il Volo’s Tribute to Ennio Morricone,”there will be a dedicated tour as soon as conditions allow it! I will assume this will be similar to the Magica Notte Tour! Exciting news!
Ignazio says: Beyond this project, we are working with Shade, Fedez, Ermal Meta and others on a project to support workers in difficulty. It is too early to say but we are working together to do something that is useful. It is important that we young people try to give an example in our own way, such as wearing a mask and respecting the distance even if we are very young.
The guys have been working to bring back the music industry. They started at the Seat Music Awards. It was the first time they were on stage since the beginning of the pandemic when they had to cancel their last three concerts and go home.
Let’s remember their message of hope that evening.
Piero said: ”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!” This is the theme that reoccurs and, it will continue until music comes back to the arena’s and stages around the world. The stages that are missing our guys and their wonderful concerts.
It 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 the ancient Arena of Verona, they looked to the past while following the path to the future. From their first note the whole arena lit up. They were back! Music had returned to the Arena!
Let’s stop a moment to think of the great event that will take place at Piazza Pio XII. This is the first time that the Municipality of Rome has granted a concert to take place in this square. Just picture St. Peter’s Basilica as the backdrop for this event. The complete scenography will be created with this perfect background. The event will be extraordinary.
The guys will present the Maestro’s melodies and imprint them in everyone’s mind! The lasting memory of Il Volo’s Tribute to Ennio Morricone and in the background, St. Peter’s Basilica. Who knows, maybe the Holy Father will drop by?
They will be accompanied by a large orchestra that will be conducted by a prestigious baton. Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca will pay homage to the great conductor, musician, composer and author of the most beautiful soundtracks in Italian and world cinema.
Since they left their homes after the quarantine the guys have worked tirelessly to bring back the music industry. This is an enormous project which they have undertaken. The genius of these three young men has brought us to this place in history, the beginning of an event which will be repeated year after year! And, who better to start such a project then our guys! It tells us that while they were locked way, they didn’t stop working for us.
The guys left us with the thought that there are other projects and surprises coming! Do they ever sleep?
Il Volo, in a press conference, gave the great news: on June 5 in a square in Rome there will be a great tribute concert, to the maestro Ennio Morricone and his splendid music.
The news had already been announced yesterday evening on the Instagram profile of Il Volo, with this press release.
“Tomorrow morning we will make a very important announcement, of something we care about …….”
The press conference was held in Campidoglio, seat of the Municipality of Rome , at the presence of Il Volo, the mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, and the journalists.
Here is what was said:
The mayor Virginia Raggi enters, followed by IL VOLO: Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio. The conference will take place with the rules of distancing and with the mask always worn. The journalists take the group photo and Gianluca says, “We are smiling!”
GA = Well, good morning everyone, my name is Gian Arnaldi and I have the task of conducting this press conference today. I have the task of presenting the project “IL VOLO, A TRIBUTE TO ENNIO MORRICONE”.
Before introducing the people in the room, I would ask the director to broadcast a very short video on the presentation of Il Volo.
(The video starts, but after a while, it stops due to technical problems…..the Ignazio voice is heard and he saying: “It went well, didn’t it?”)
MAYOR= Okay, but I would applaud!
GA= We have a technical problem, but the meaning of the video, I think we have already expressed it.
First of all, I would like to thank all those present at this press conference, both in presence and via streaming, a requirement dictated by the current health containment legislation.
I thank the people present on the stage who, despite the mask, you already know, the mayor of Roma Capitale, Virginia Raggi, whom I thank for being present today and for the time he dedicates to us and obviously the guys from Il Volo: Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca.
Before starting with the actual press conference, I would like to make, if you allow me, a very brief introduction on the reasons that led to this project.
Years ago, a well-known event creator, named Thomas Errera, who can’t be here today, started proposing what seemed to be an impossible dream, that is, to organize a big event, a big free concert in Rome, something truly unique, original, exceptional, never realized before.
The idea was precisely to turn the spotlight on the artistic, cultural, organizational, and productive capacity of the city of Rome. Turn on the spotlight, not only for Italy, but for the whole world. And then, it began to take shape, what seemed an impossible undertaking, to carry out a great concert, in front of the basilica of St. Peter (Vatican). This impossible dream, thanks to the people who are on stage today, June 5th next year, will finally have the bet open.
I would like, also in the name of Thomas Errera, to thank the Common of Roma Capitale and the mayor Virginia Raggi, for the support they have given us, for the support and availability shown in all these months, for the realization of this great project, and in this regard, I would really like to give the floor to the mayor Virginia Raggi.
Thank you. (appaluse)
MAYOR= Thank you and welcome. Really welcome. It is a special moment.
First of all, allow me to thank and greet Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio, three guys, we saw a video “on the fly”, as they said, which remembers, with very quick brushstrokes, what their climb to success was, and now they are have become internationally renowned artists, so we are really happy and honored to host you here. They are guys with an amazing, extraordinary voice, who bring the beautiful song all over the world and keep our traditions high.
I also greet and thank Ferdinando Salzano, founder of Friend and Partners and co-producer of the event, the special project manager of Il Volo, Danilo Ciotti and all those who are clearly following the conference, also in streaming, including a special thanks to the manager of Il Volo and co-producer Michele Torpedine. To Thomas Errera, he is not here with us, we ideally send a hug
Clearly a greeting to all those who are in the room and thanks to Gian Arnaldi, who accompanies us today this morning.
So, before starting with the conference, allow me to open a little parenthesis on the events that are happening in Italy in these days and in particular in Rome. (riots and protests due to the new stringent rules for Covid).
Again last night we had, in fact, some vandals, who put a part of our city to “sword and fire”. I feel I can firmly condemn this violence, in this moment of crisis and great difficulty that is bringing families, people, traders to their knees. Certainly we do not need someone who “blows” on the fire and tries, in some way, to destabilize further a situation that is already very critical, to which we are trying to give concrete answers.
Therefore, it is condemned, absolutely firm, these acts, and instead concretely support all those traders, who at this moment, together with us, together with the government, are looking for the best and possible solutions to face this crisis.
This must be said and remembered, because then, the reality is also this.
Returning to the merits of the conference, here too we need to make a premise: why today? Because we absolutely have to think about the future. We must think about what will come next, we must give a message of hope, especially in a moment like this, we must focus again, on great events, which Rome is able to host, we must focus on culture, on possibility and capacity of this city, combined with artists of national and international caliber, has to attract investments, to attract work, to attract further artists.
Tourism, culture, creativity, work and investments must restart and we are already starting to think about the future, as has been said, we have been doing it for some months, actually.
What we are presenting today is therefore a great event that will take place on June 5th next year. It will be a first edition, and it will be a tribute to Ennio Morricone, which these guys will do in the form of a great concert open to all, free, of the highest level, I dare to say, and that however, we would like to be the beginning, of a series of concerts that Thomas Errera created and called “UNITED FOR THE WORLD”. We need to have points of reference, we need fixed appointments, which remind us of what we are able to do, which make us find ourselves around an event, around great talents, great artists, and this ideally wants to be there. start, and doing it today, in such a difficult moment, is also a strong sign of the will to move forward and overcome this moment.
Where will this concert take place? I allow myself to give little information and then I pass the word to the guys, to the artists who will tell us better.
The concert will take place in Piazza Pio XII, with a formidable scenic backdrop that is that of San Pietro. We ideally want to gather in the embrace of Bernini’s Colonnade, such an important event, which, moreover, gives a tribute, which we all feel, to Maestro Morricone, to whom we also named the auditorium.
It is a part of Italian history, it is a part of us that now goes to the world, travels the world, and is recognized by everyone and therefore this wants to be, beyond a tribute, a moment of great unity, we need it.
So I thank the guys from Il Volo, who participated and will give life to this project, this great event. I thank all those who have and are working on the conception and implementation, and I can only invite you, next June 5th to join us, and join us in this large square, where we will start dreaming again on the fantastic notes of Ennio Morricone, sung by these guys.
Really thank you! (applause)
GA= Thanks to the mayor for her speech.
At this point I would give the voice to the guys from Il Volo. I would start with Piero Barone, who maybe tells us, a little more in detail, some characteristics, some peculiarities of this event.
PIERO= First of all, good morning everyone, it’s a press conference, let’s greet all the journalists who are following us.
It is an unprecedented conference for us.
First of all we thank the mayor Raggi, for this very welcome invitation, the Municipality of Rome for the patronage of this event.
In recent months, there have been various initiatives to draw attention to all the problems that concern operators, all professionals, in the world of music, entertainment workers, and this event is one of the reasons for we are presenting this project eight months in advance.
It is a message to all workers, many people do not know who they are, but we who work with them every day, we know them, and we hope that, with these facts, and not just with words, we can help them not to be disheartened, try to to give this message of optimism, of hope, and to think that finally EVERYTHING WILL BE OK, because we hear these words every day and we hope that with the facts, we can make them come true.
Thank you. (Applause)
GA= To Gianluca instead, I would like to ask why the homage to Ennio Morricone.
GIANLUCA= The great maestro Morricone was a source of inspiration for us, we also got to know him and work with him, especially in the studio, as we were children, 14/15 years old, we were recording our first album. It is a source of pride, perhaps I allow myself to say that he is the greatest composer of the twentieth century, so we know that this project, this tribute, requires a great responsibility.
We will work hard because this is also the way to bring our musical heritage around the world, but above all cultural, because he has made millions of people dream all over the world with his soundtracks and of course our goal has always been to bring and be ambassadors of bel canto all over the world, but not with presumption, but with great pride and with the desire to be able to make this music known even to the youngest. We started when we were 14/15 years old, we have always been a bit of different children, perhaps anomalous, for the times that run, but it is also a reason to bring this eternal music, like this city (Rome is called the eternal city) , associating this great music with this great city, is a way to bring, not only this great music around the world, but also the beauty of our places, the beauty of the most beautiful city in the world. So we can’t wait that, as Piero said, give a message of hope, to go back to living life, normalcy. So we are working hard to create a great concert, a great event, with orchestra, choir, and of course there will also be a recording project where we will collect, in a meticulous way, all the greatest soundtracks of the great maestro Ennio Morricone, sung. So, we can’t wait to go back to the studio and start working and giving hope to everyone.
PIERO= When we presented this project to other countries, America, South America, Japan and many European countries, there was great enthusiasm on their part, because, as you well know, a couple of years ago we did a concert-event and the film was shown in all American TV cinemas, and our goal is to convey Italian beauties with the music that surrounds us. In this event we are above all enthusiastic about the positive feedback from those who have collaborated, in recent years, with Maestro Morricone, such as the Sinfonietta Orchestra, which has always played with Maestro Morricone, so we are talking to them. We are really excited and delighted that there is this interest on their part.
GIANLUCA= I like to tell a little anecdote that made everyone smile a little, because the first time we sang with Maestro Morricone was in 2011. We were rehearsing with the maestro and with the Sinfonietta, we were 15 years old, I remember that I naively begin the piece, the teacher gives the cue and I don’t start. The three of us look at each other, total panic, the maestro turns towards us, I look at him and say “So you give it to me, the cue?”, that is, I called you to the maestro and he told me, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.”: This anecdote makes everyone smile, and every time we remember it with great affection, because he was truly a source of inspiration for us a great example and we really miss him.
Thank you! (applause)
GA= Ignazio, as your colleagues have already mentioned, in the past you have also had close relationships with the teacher.
IGNAZIO= Yes, they have already said everything, I’ll put the icing on the cake. Following that anecdote, it was in 2011, where we had the luck, the pleasure and the honor of singing E PIÙ TI PENSO, which is a song that was part of our first album, we sang in Piazza del Popolo (in Rome) and we have this beautiful memory.
The boys have already told everything before, but to finish it is nice to remember that it is nice that 25-year-olds, not just us, can give positive messages, that is, even at a distance of one meter, with the microphone covered and we wear the mask, it’s not because we are stupid, but because we think that those who are watching us right now may think “Damn, these guys are 25 years old, why don’t we do it too?”
We live in a very complicated moment, not because we are forced to stay at home, but because everything begins to be more difficult, from staying at home, to not being able to work, to the difficulties that every category, every social class, has in this moment and we hope to get out of it soon. We as artists, we are helping our category, with other artists, we are preparing a project, to raise funds and help those in our category, who have been hit hard, speeches of shows that we do not know if they will be able to be made, will be the time that will tell us.
I want to reiterate thanks to the Municipality of Rome, to the mayor, to Friends & Partners who will produce this show with us, to Thomas, and we say “See you on June 5th.” and thank you very much to everyone for being connected in the internet and for being here . (applause)
GA= Well, we will start a short question and answer session shortly, from the many questions that are coming up from reporters. Many are of a slightly technical nature, you wonder what the stage will be like, if there will be sessions or not, in this regard I would like to call Ferdinando Salzano, founder of Friends & Partners and co-producer of the event. We know it’s a work in progress now, but we think you can anticipate something.
Time to sanitize the microphone. (they are very loyal to the rules)
MAYOR= Guys, if you want to improvise !!
GIANLUCA= The final piece of E PIÙ TI PENSO, we can do it a cappella (he asks the other two).
SALZANO= Hello everyone, quickly, because I think it is better to leave room for questions.
First of all, a big compliment to the mayor, because it takes great audacity today to announce a live event.
I work as a producer, and the journalists, both those present and those who are online, know perfectly well what is happening, in a specific matter in the world of music.
This is really a great gesture of trust, in the sense that I am living it like this. The latest decree law that obviously affected many sectors, but in the case of ours, it also affected the impossibility of being able to work in the coming months, so December and January, even with COVID capacity, so it is an important law decree, probably, indeed certainly necessary, but very painful for the entertainment world.
Today’s announcement, aside from the thanks, I felt I was paying a compliment for the audacity, and also for the audacity of Il Volo.
Very quickly, this will be a great event. Il Volo is used to great events, and in these years that we have worked together, there have been wonderful occasions. However, I think this event has connotations and colors of great event for many reasons, those you have already told but I add another one, the date of June 5th, I like to think that it becomes a symbolic date, compared to the great live events that Rome will have, to think that this great street event, in an extraordinary location of enormous international value, could almost become the opening for our rebirth. We hope it is.
It will be a great local event, but not only, surely, mayor, we will have television, there will be a great live TV, after many months, we are not able to say which TV but we believe it will be the most important network and therefore easily guessed(Rai1).
It will therefore be a great television event that will also see the participation of many guest friends, who certainly Il Volo, as they always have done, manage to attract, also given their capacity for empathy, with everything that is the musical world.
Obviously I close, thanking Il Volo and Michele Torpedine, who I hope is following us, for the trust and for the possibility of being able to accompany them again on this beautiful and extraordinary journey. Thank you. (applause)
GA= Thank you, we still have some questions coming from the journalists connected in streaming. The first question is for Il Volo, but if the mayor allows me I would ask her too.
Simone from ALL MUSIC ITALIA, asks which is the Ennio Morricone soundtrack you are most attached to. I don’t know if you have a different answer or if you have a common answer.
PIERO= Since the idea of the project was born, we have had a marathon of films in which there has been the soundtrack of Maestro Morricone. Personally, the one I prefer, but it is difficult to find one, I would say MALENA, apart, a few months ago, we had the opportunity to meet the extraordinary Monica Bellucci (actress who played Malena).
GIANLUCA= Probably my favorite is GABRIEL’S OBOE from the movie Mission, surely it will be on the album, sung. Yes, that’s my favorite and CINEMA PARADISO too.
IGNAZIO= I never remember the names, but it’s L’ESTASI DELL’ORO(The Ecstasy of Gold from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly), and I heard it as an introduction, even from Metallica (band)
GIANLUCA = It is not said that we could do such a thing too.
MAYOR= So we start to have some small previews too, I would say.
For me, I must say that it is the pillar of THE MISSION so far. The truth is that all these music have the ability to move something inside, they speak directly to the belly, to the head, to the emotion, I believe it also depends on the mood of each of us. It happens to get excited with different music, depending on the moment and for THE MISSION, I’d say it’s her, but I don’t exclude the others.
PIERO = Seeing the films, commented with the music of Maestro Morricone, pushed us a little to express those emotions we felt with singing.
A few days ago, there was a man on TV, who said a very interesting thing, that music is perceived on the right side of our brain, the lyrics, on the left side, so a song, a melody sung, takes it all the brain, therefore for this reason it expresses emotions, It is a very interesting thing for a musician, for those who live with music, and it struck me a lot.
GIANLUCA= Yes, and then we want to remember that in 2011 we sang a song by Ennio Morricone, it was a medley of ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA and MALENA, the song entitled E PIÙ TI PENSO and maybe we sing a piece, what do you say? (to Piero and Ignazio)
(Piero Ignazio and Gianluca sing a cappella a piece by E PIÙ TI PENSO. Applause !!)
GA = Thank you very much for this surprise, this thing was not prepared.
GIANLUCA= It is the first time that we sing with masks.
MAYOR= But the test is more than successful, apart from the mask, it was crazy.
GA= Absolutely, it gave us goosebumps, thanks guys, thanks for the surprise.
I’m looking at the phone not out of rudeness, but because I’m reading the journalists’ questions online, Andrea Spinelli of QN, has a question for Ignazio, he asks if you can already tell us something about the project in support of the entertainment world you mentioned before?
IGNAZIO= Spinelli is always curious, he always wants to know everything. It is a project we are still working on, I don’t feel like saying much, because it is being born these days: We have received messages from artists such as Shade, Fedez, Ermal Meta (Italian singers) and we are preparing a great project, everything is still boiling. in the pot”, so I don’t feel like saying more.
GA= A message from Angela Calvini dell’Avvenire arrives live, asking if you already have a rough schedule, or if it is still a work in progress.
IGNAZIO= It is a work in progress, we are working both on the live and on the record.
PIERO= It will be difficult to find a compromise on what to sing, because they are all extremely beautiful melodies.
Now we are working with the producers of this recording project, because at the same time or a few days before the event, a record will be released, then a tour will follow, we hope to be able to do it, we hope that things go well. But now it’s all a work in progress, even for those who will be on stage: We have always tried to work big, many of our wishes have been spent thanks to our desire to do, our desire to never stop, but above all thanks to the help of the people who support us every day, the various people such as Ferdinando Salzano, Danilo Ciotti, our manager Michele Torpedine.
We are grateful to them because they have always given the possibility to these three boys, to realize almost impossible wishes, but thanks to them, thanks to their love and support, because apart from work, there is also the human relationship, and this makes us feel good.
GA= Thanks.
Carlotta D’agostino, of Spettacolo News, leaves the scope of this event for a moment for an interesting question.
In 2015, you opened the Monza Grand Prix (F1 car race) in front of a huge audience. Sunday will open the Imola Grand Prix, (Sunday 1 November Il Volo will sing the Italian Anthem as the opening of the Imola F1 GP), but the public will be reduced, because we are in a very different historical period. What will it be for you to sing the Inno di Mameli (Italian anthem) for this occasion?
GIANLUCA= If I’m not mistaken, the last time the Grand Prix was done was after the death of Senna (F1 driver).
IGNAZIO= In Imola.
GIANLUCA= Yes, in Imola it was the last time, after Senna’s death, if I’m not mistaken.
IGNAZIO= Yes, it has been years since there has been a GP in Imola.
But I think ….. we had the honor of singing for the Pope in Panama, and there were a million boys. During the mass, there were a million boys, but it is as if there were none.
GIANLUCA= It was World Youth Day.
IGNAZIO= Yes, it was WYD. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how many people or how full a place is, but what you feel at that moment does matter, surely there won’t be the same adrenaline, but we know that all sports fans will be there, in front of the screen watching a “ historic moment”, but not because we sing the anthem, but because Imola is a special circuit, in the memories of many fans of this sport of Formula 1, but above all many fans of Ayrton Senna, and therefore for us it will be very, very exciting , sing the hymn in that event.
PIERO= I wanted to add something about the Italian anthem, because in recent months we have often heard it sung from the windows.
The hymn is a signal of union, when we sing it, it is a signal of extreme sensation, clearly singing it together with the chorus of the audience, large or not, will be particular, because clearly, the text was drawn up in a past that we have not lived, but it teaches us that in moments of pride, difficult, particular, we are all united and we, and it shows in this moment that we are living. (applause)
GA= Thanks. Natalia di Stefano from Corriere della Sera asks, in the concert on June 5th, will music and image be in dialogue? Do you foresee videos with films set to music by Morricone?
IGNAZIO = We are working on it.
GIANLUCA= Yes, it’s all in the embryonic stage. We are working, but we absolutely wanted to announce this great project, but we will return to the studio, we are working on the scenography, on what will then be on stage.
We will aim for something big, even on the choice of songs. It will be easy to choose the songs already sung, like that of ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST, so on some songs there are already lyrics, on some not, but we are also working on this. We will certainly be giving details on this project very soon.
GA= Laura Frigerio of Back Home Music, asks if, since Morricone was an author of important pop pieces, do you foresee a lineup with soundtracks only or even a tribute to his pop songs?
GIANLUCA= Like SE TELEFONANDO.
IGNAZIO= Looking at all the songs that the maestro has arranged, we were surprised, because one of our songs, which we sang from the beginning is IL MONDO, and the first version, written by Jimmy Fontana and interpreted by him, the arrangement musical was by Morricone. So there will also be songs that have been part of the master’s life. There will not be only soundtracks.
GA= Well, last question.
Claudia Fascia from Ansa asks which authors you worked with on the lyrics on Morricone’s music and also, if you already have time, on the recording project.
IGNAZIO= Now, we’re always saying we’re working on it, because it’s the truth. As we have already said, we wanted to do this conference because the message is today THE MUSIC MUST NOT STOP, we already said it in a television program made with Salzano a few months ago. We are trying to keep the compositions of Maestro Morricone unique, so do not add lyrics to the soundtracks, but use the existing ones and collaborate with the family, to ensure that some soundtracks without lyrics, can then be with a melody sung with the text.
PIERO= It is clear that for this tribute, the location is there, we couldn’t wish for anything better. Today, eight months in advance, we can say it publicly, we extend the invitation to attend the event, in the audience and on stage, to all the characters, actors and musicians, who have had to deal with the Oscar-winning Maestro Morricone, composers, directors.
Therefore, it will be a tribute that the master deserves, a great night, a great evening, a great event dedicated entirely to him.
GA= Well, thanks everyone. I just have to thank all the journalists present, the journalists in streaming connection, the mayor Virginia Raggi, thank you very much for the time and availability you have shown us, the guys from Il Volo and allow me to send a big hug to Thomas. Thank you all.
Great news, and a great lecture.
I really liked the always right words, said by the boys.
It will be an amazing event in which we all hope to be able to participate.
We will follow all the great preparation step by step and will keep you informed.
Thanks to Il Volo, for this wonderful surprise !!
Daniela
Piazza Pio XII. The square is at the edge of the border with the Vatican, with the vision of Bernini’s beautiful colonnade and the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica.
Credit to owners of all photos and videos.
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