So often I write about the journalists who have no respect for Il Volo and treat them very rudely. But today I want to write about a journalist who is a champion for our guys.
Marino Bartoletti has always been A True Defender of Il Volo.
Marino Bartoletti is a true friend to the guys, often standing up for them on television and defending them before the Sanremo jury. A distinguished Italian journalist and writer known for his integrity and refinement; Marino deeply admires Il Volo. In the realm of entertainment and communication, he emphasizes that “the value of affection, esteem, and sincerity is immense. Human relationships and friendship hold great significance.”
To give you a bit of background, Marino Bartoletti is a renowned journalist, a profound music connoisseur, and an expert on the Sanremo Festival. Above all, he is a man of great culture and humanity.
In a January 2024 interview with Paola Stranges of italiani.it, Marino discussed his illustrious career and his latest book, “The Supper of the Gods.”
Marino explained,The Great Old Man is a creation that gives me immense satisfaction, reflecting a lot of who I am. It’s a story about a provincial boy who, even before he grew a mustache, wondered about the fate of our entertainment, music, and sports champions. I’ve envisioned the Great Old Man, Enzo Ferrari, who has spent over forty years in his world, contemplating a celestial dinner with people he admires, including those he has known and others he wishes he had met.
He continued, Ferrari, as the Great Old Man, sets up this ideal dinner in Olympus, even if his strong personality sometimes clashes with the other Great Old Man up there. Despite this, the dinner turns out well, with carefully chosen characters sharing true stories.
Paola:Sanremo is upon us for the first time in a different guise. Will the magic of music reach the audience from home?
Marino: …. After thirty years it will be the first time that I don’t go there, I will watch it from my home. Sanremo has to do it, they have been doing it for 71 years or at least it is the seventy-first edition. It started in 1951, it’s almost my age, I think I’ve seen almost all of them since the age of reason, I’ve seen more than thirty professionally. I am wary of those who distrust Sanremo because it means that they have not understood its social as well as artistic value. It is right that it should be done, not for commercial reasons which also exist, but for this very reason artistic value and for this social value that must be preserved. We think that just sixty years ago, the organizer threw some singers into the fray so there was someone who tore his clothes saying: “But who is this Celentano, who is this Giorgio Gaber, who is this Gino Paoli with dark glasses, who is this Milva, who is this Little Tony, who is this Pino Donaggio, who is this Umberto Bindi, who is this Edoardo Vianello, they were the ones who made the fifty years of history of Italian pop music next one. We old people have to be careful, at this moment I am seized by a flash of irresistible youthfulness.
In November 2017, during a book promotion event in San Lazzaro di Savena near Bologna, Marino was pleasantly surprised when Piero and Ignazio along with their manager Michele Torpedine, showed up to support him. Marino noted, Although Gianluca Ginoble couldn’t attend due to prior commitments, he sent a heartfelt message. It was heartwarming to see these incredible artists, who were performing in Buenos Aires and soon traveling to Miami and Kiev, supporting me despite their busy schedule.
Marino expressed his appreciation for their presence, stating,Their talent and dedication to promoting Italian music worldwide is admirable. They are preparing to release a new album after a successful tour in Central and South America. I always feel a deep sense of joy seeing them, not just for their talent but for who they are as people. They are genuine and wonderful individuals.
In April 2018, Marino had dinner with Piero and Ignazio at a tavern. He humorously remarked about Ignazio’s habit of blasting their CD in his car, saying the volume was so high it could be heard from the Madonna di San Luca Church (high on the hill) in Bologna. Marino reflected on their time together, appreciating their simplicity and enjoying their stories. He found it amusing when people who had never met them labeled them as ‘pretentious’ or ‘arrogant.’
Marino described Piero as more serious with unexpected bursts of irony, while Ignazio was a sweet trickster who, by the end of the evening, shared a video of a model airplane he built with his dad, humorously lamenting how it used to fly better when they had less money.
Marino also gifted the group a beautiful sketch by Giorgio Serra, affectionately known as ‘Matitaccia.’ He proclaimed, We all shared smiles. Please, keep being ‘bad’ in the eyes of those who don’t yet appreciate you. But never change! If you continue to achieve success worldwide, it’s simply a sign of your exceptionalism. Those who doubt you will eventually come around because you truly are BRAVI.
Marino admitted, Initially, I had some reservations about them. However, after meeting them during my book presentation, I was struck by their authenticity and courtesy. They were generous with their time and open to chatting with everyone present—qualities that are rare these days. Their compassion and skill make their global success well-deserved. Well done.
So, where did this relationship begin?
In an August 2019 interview with Luca Maggitti, Marino Bartoletti discussed Il Volo. Maggitti reflected on Bartoletti’s initial visit to Roseto, noting how this place had become special for him, particularly because of his connection with Gianluca Ginoble.
Marino said:Everyone knows of my respect for him, but it’s more than that—it’s a deep friendship and affection.
Maggitti then asked,What makes Il Volo so special? They’ve completed eleven consecutive world tours and continue to fill theaters everywhere. As a music expert and journalist, why do you think they’re so beloved and famous globally?
Maggitti also questioned why some journalists still fail to fully grasp their success and talent. He acknowledged his own attachment to them as stemming from affection, friendship, and admiration, but also recognized their embodiment of great bel canto: skill, and the ability to showcase Italian genius abroad. He wondered why this same genius isn’t more appreciated in Italy and what more these young men need to prove.
Bartoletti:I could answer you by reversing the question, that is, by asking me how there are still people (even our journalist colleagues) who still do not understand, this success of theirs and their talent. I admit that I am attached to them by affection, friendship and admiration towards them, but they have everything that is asked of bel canto, skill, the ability to transmit the Italian genius abroad. But it’s the same Italian genius that should be better understood in Italy, and then I wonder, what else do these guys have to prove?
They are boys who have reached their tenth year, and sold out everywhere, even here in Italy. I can only say that I admire them very much, that I admire their “spirit of sacrifice” which is extraordinary, because they could “sit on their laurels”, instead they continue to improve, to improve. This year they were very good, even in Sanremo where they achieved third place, so very elegantly. I would like the Italian guys to look more like them, especially as the families of the Italian boys were more like the families of Gianluca, Piero and Ignazio, because I always say this publicly, that the strength of these guys is what they have behind them, family, culture, education, humility.
Marino has always been there for the guys, and they truly appreciate his friendship and his love and affection for them. He is by far A True Defender of Il Volo. We need more journalists like him.
Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!
For your listening pleasure, Il Volo in Moscow their Concert 2019.
After a two-month absence I planned to come back and write an amazing story about our truly amazing guys. I thought a lot about what I would write. But on the last day of my trip to Iceland, I got the sad news that Barbara Vitali had passed away as the result of a car crash. Poor beautiful Barbara. What a great loss!
When I got the news, I thought I will still write an amazing story, but it will be about an amazing woman ~ Barbara Vitali.
Barbara was a crucial figure for Il Volo, though she remained behind the scenes she was ever present. She quietly fulfilled a significant role in Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca’s lives. Her influence was palpable, akin to a guiding shadow that watched over the boys.
Finding information about Barbara is challenging, almost impossible, yet her impact was undeniable. Very little is known about Barbara’s life. We know next to nothing about her childhood and her formative years. If I had to sum up Barbara’s life, I would have to say her life began the day she met Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca. She never sought the limelight. She never imposed on the tour but was always present. Her role was vital, and it took immense patience to fulfill it. Michele Torpedine once said, “she was instrumental in harmonizing the lives of Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca.”
The boys’ diverse backgrounds, their adolescent challenges, and their often-long absences from their parents required someone to step into the role of mother with a certain gentleness and compassion. Barbara stepped into and up to the role of Second Mother. Barbara was by far an exceptional mother to the boys.
Her role also required her to be a diplomat. She was exceptional in the role! She was the buffer between the boys and the fans who wanted so much more. She knew the limits and proposed the boundaries. She was overly protective! Perhaps that is why she excelled in her role; always present, always supportive, accompanying them on their journeys without fanfare.
Coordinating three youngsters from different family backgrounds into a cohesive unit was no small task. On international tours she managed all of their daily lives, keeping in mind no two boys were alike, and each needed to be handled in a different way. She was the person the boys most loved and admired besides their families. She was the go-to person! In her role as Second Mother, she certainly won the Mother of the Year Award (for 15 years).
She cultivated a profound relationship with the boys and their families, earning the love and respect of all of them.
Fans who were fortunate to meet her were captivated by her warmth and grace.
The boys have matured into fine young men, partly due to her role in their lives. Until that fatal moment, Barbara remained indispensable to them. Her guidance extended beyond professional duties, influencing the character formation and fostering a deep mutual affection and respect between herself and Piero, Ignazio, and Gianluca.
Barbara was a cherished confidante and supporter, essential to the fabric of Il Volo’s success and personal growth.
The fans are grateful for her invaluable contributions, recognizing her enduring impact on the group.
Her role as Road Manager came second to her role as Second Mother.
Dear Barbara, you will be dearly missed by the guys. They are heartbroken by your loss. You are gone from their sight but not their hearts. You will always be one of the reasons why Il Volo became who they are. Their greatness was your reward in life.
I didn’t want to disturb the story with music, so, I left the music till the end. At their concert in Catania, the guys sang their hearts out through their tears! Very emotional moments, tears of love for the woman who gave her life to these young men and gave them all her love and affection! Just as any good mother does for her children!
Piero:We started this profession when we were 15 years old and we traveled the world and with us there has always been a person who traveled all over the world with us, every day.
She was a mother when we were younger, she was the person, the most important figure for us in our travels and we would like to publicly say that we, but above all our families, will be eternally grateful to her, because our parents when they knew that she was with us and we were with Barbara, they slept soundly.
It’s very difficult and this evening, this concert will be the first of all those we will dedicate to it throughout our lives.
Gianluca: We are all united, everyone, everyone, everyone for our Barbara, everyone, from the crew, from the technicians, from the musicians, from Michele Torpedine, all for her, because she was a special person who will continue to live inside us and will give us strength to continue doing this work, because we will sing for her, Barbara we will sing for you, for a lifetime, for a lifetime, we love you.
Ignazio:And as I said before, we would like to make this moment even more special if you help us with the flashes of your cell phones to illuminate the whole square, so for those who believe in it, someone from up there is watching us.
Thank you, Daniela, for the translation.
Following are more songs from the concert at Catania. It was all about Barbara!
According to Daniela Perani, there was a tragic car accident, Sunday evening at 8 PM near Bologna. Barbara was driving her Fiat 500 car. For reasons still under investigation, the car driven by a 49-year-old man and the car of Barbara, 54, had a head-on collision. The man died immediately; Barbara was transported by helicopter to the hospital in Bologna.
Barbara passed away on July 9, 2024, at the Sant’Orsola Hospital in Bologna.
Unfortunately it’s all true, the terrible news is making the rounds on fan pages all over the world, Barbara Vitali has left us.
We still can’t get over the sad news, Barbara, the sweet tour manager who always followed Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca step by step since the first days has left us.
The announcement was made by Il Volo with these sad and poignant words:
Il Volo and Michele Torpedine
announce with deep sorrow the
premature death of their friend and
historic collaborator Barbara Vitali.
Barbara passed away last night
at the Sant’Orsola Hospital in Bologna
following the tragic accident in which she was involved in on Sunday 7 July.
Michele, Ignazio, Gianluca, Piero
together with Eliana Dalila Biondi,
Roberta Natali, Cristina Gelsi, Liliana
Torpedine and all the collaborators of
MT Opera&Blue’s management and the
family hug each other
all those who loved
Barbara and that they will continue to keep her
in a special place
in their heart.
A tragic car accident, Sunday evening near Bologna, it was 8:00 p.m. Barbara was driving her Fiat 500 car. For reasons still under investigation, the car driven by a 49-year-old man and the car of Barbara, 54, had a head-on collision. The man died immediately, Barbara was transported by helicopter to the hospital in Bologna but she had very serious injuries, last night she finally left us.
The words of Ercole Ginoble are also moving:
Ciao Barbara, for 15 long years you were the lighthouse, the point of reference for our kids, always present and punctual, alongside Michele Torpedine, we shared the trips, the evenings, the concerts together, we shared together the joys that the guys with their great work and their great talent they gave us, the void you leave is unbridgeable, there will always be a special place for you in the hearts of all of us!
Thanks for everything, Barbarina, as we called you. ❤️❤️❤️
And those of Eleonora Ginoble:
@divileo15 Our dear Barbara left us suddenly leaving an unbridgeable void, 15 years with us, in the big family of Il Volo, you saw Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca grow up, always present, point of reference for everyone, many memories and life lived together it will be hard without you Barbari’💔 you will remain forever in our hearts.
Barbara’s birthday, June 13th.
She was always present with our boys, ready to listen to them, to follow them, to even act as their mother a little. Sweet, sensitive, proud of the three of them, as if they were her children.
She was their “guardian angel” ❤️🙏
I dare not think of the pain of Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca and the profound sadness they will have in their hearts.
Now the news is reported by all the newspapers.
Tomorrow evening Il Volo is in concert in Catania. For now there is no news of a possible canceled concert.
Rest in peace dear Barbara, you will always remain a sweet memory in our hearts! ❤️🙏❤️
And here I am to offer you the first of the three television evenings of Canale 5 which broadcasts the three Il Volo concerts.
It was a lot of work for everyone, but it was worth it, three fantastic evenings designed for Italian television which will feature many beautiful songs by Italian singer-songwriters sung by our talented Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio.
Once again Il Volo demonstrated that it was able to offer different musical styles and guests with whom it duetted without problems.
In addition to the beautiful scenes projected on the screens, you will certainly notice the play of light created by the audience.
Upon entering the Arena, each spectator was given a beautiful luminous bracelet which then had to be returned at the end, a truly wonderful idea!!
I honestly understand that the program was more suitable for an Italian audience, but I will try to make you understand clearly what they wanted to demonstrate.
Naturally certain moments were edited for different evenings, but this was done to make everything more homogeneous and does not affect the final result.
The first TV evening begins with Claudio Baglioni (Italian singer) who enters the scene and sits at the piano, almost immediately he is joined by Ignazio who tells him that they should start by singing MILLE GIORNI DI ME DI TE (Baglioni’s song) and he performs it, then Gianluca arrives and says that it is better to start with AVRAI (Baglioni’s song) and performs it, and Piero arrives who instead wants to start by singing PICCOLO GRANDE AMORE (Baglioni’s song) and sings it, but in the end Baglioni says that he decides what with they will open the evening and he decides for STRADA FACENDO (Baglioni’s song) and all four sing it together.
Immediately afterwards Ignazio Piero and Gianluca greet the Arena audience and sing the beautiful CAPOLAVORO. 😍
This year Il Volo has decided to pay homage to Italian singer-songwriters by performing several of their songs and Ignazio begins with: TI SENTO song by Matia Bazar. 🥰
Gianluca immediately continues with the beautiful ROCKET MAN by Elton John. 🥰
And finally, Piero sings the MISERERE which this year he did in duet with Giorgia, a very good Italian singer.
At the end of the song, Piero says: “Giorgia, we just sang a song by Zucchero and Zucchero sang it with Pavarotti. Then Pavarotti with Bocelli, you sang with Bocelli and now I sing with you, all this to thank and pay homage to the man who acted as a glue to all these names, our manager Michele Torpedine.” (Torpedine is framed, Ernie is also seen behind him).
GIORGIA= Mythical Michele.
Then Giorgia thanks Piero for the beautiful evening, but Ignazio tells her that there are also him and Gianluca, 😂😂 then the guys will convince Giorgia to stay and so she will also act as co-host during the evening. 🥰
ADVERTISING CUT
Il Volo sings SE TELEFONANDO.
Now it’s time for a duet, Gianluca presents the song IL CIELO IN UNA STANZA, a beautiful song by Gino Paoli that Gianluca will sing together with Alessandra Amoroso. Beautiful duet. 😍😍
Alessandra also celebrates 15 years of career and therefore, all together sing a song by Alessandra Amoroso: STUPENDO FINO QUI.
This is followed by a duet by Piero who tells how this song was born, from a news that a circus was in difficulty because the cannon woman had left. The author combined music with this news and the song was born. The author is Francesco De Gregori who enters and sings a duet with Piero. This song has never been performed with the classical imprint that Piero gives it and it is very beautiful, LA DONNA CANNONE. (this duet was done the night I was at the concert) 🥰
Piero finally admits that he was moved. ❤️
Ignazio calls Giorgia, and instead…. Giorgio Panariello (Italian comedian) enters.
In the gag, Giorgio apologizes and Giorgia is called back. She comes in and says she thought she’ll ask questions “on the fly” and they’ll have to answer quickly.
GIORGIA= What do you sing in the shower?
G= COME SAPREI (song by Giorgia)
GIORGIA= Liar!
I= (I don’t understand)
P= CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU Ignazio makes fun of Piero by thinking of him singing that song in the shower. 😂😂
GIORGIA= What is the song that is never missing from your playlist.
G= CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE. 😍
GIORGIA= How romantic!
I= YOU AND I by Stevie Wonder
P= MY WAY, every morning I brush my teeth with Frank Sinatra
GIORGIA= If you had to choose a solo stage name, what would you choose?
G= Ignazio Boschetto 😂
I= Cucu Ramaya (song) 😂
P= Giorgio 😂
GIORGIA= Which historical group would you have liked to be part of?
G=Beatles
I= Bon Jovi
P= The Poohs
GIORGIA= The song that gives you energy.
G= THE SHOW MUST GO ON by Queen.
I= I FEEL GOOD
P= FIESTA, by Carrà
GIORGIA= The song you would dedicate to your son or daughter.
G= AVRAI (he sang it at the beginning) Or A TE by Jovannotti.
I= I don’t know because I will write it when I have a baby. ❤️❤️
P= CAPOLAVORO
GIORGIA= Last question: Which one of you will sing the next song? I’m telling you, Ignazio, the stage is yours!
Ignazio will perform a rock song, so he changes his jacket.
In the presentation he explains that this singer-songwriter’s father broke his guitar because he wanted him to study, but then he showed him that music was his life, Ignazio talks about Lucio Battisti, a very famous singer-songwriter in Italy. The song is: IL TEMPO DI MORIRE and Ignazio uses a rock guitar!😉
ADVERTISING CUT
Il Volo performs the always beautiful GRANDE AMORE. ❤️
Now there is a truly very touching duet between Gianluca and a much-loved singer-songwriter, Roberto Vecchioni. Gianluca dedicates a letter to him written “from the bottom of his heart” and reads it as he enters. I translate it for you.
“Thank you professor (Vecchioni is a university teacher) for teaching us the art of the word that opens the doors of infinity.” (Vecchioni enters and both are very moved). You are here. (Gianluca repeats and continues) You taught me to embrace pain, even if it hurts and with kindness the chains of ignorance and intolerance can be broken, generating beauty. You showed all of us that strength lies in fragility and the courage to be yourself and that love comes suddenly and you can’t control it. Happens. The purity of a feeling that does not possess, but frees. I hope that no end will put your love to sleep and that your message will continue to shout loudly for all those guys like me, like us. And you’re right about my girlfriend, it’s my job and I promise to continue treating it with care. ❤️ (The last sentences from “I hope….” are sentences taken from Vecchioni’s songs)
A long hug.
VECCHIONI= Now let’s not sing anymore, you moved me!
GIANLUCA= I want to leave you the letter, it’s a memory of me.
VECCHIONI= I’ll put it in my room in a painting. An evening like this is unforgettable and then with you saying these things, how nice!
GIANLUCA= Thanks, it’s thanks to you.
VECCHIONI = It is thanks to humanity in general that it manages to produce sensitive people like you. (cheers)
GIANLUCA= Shall we sing?
Together they perform Vecchioni’s song: CHIAMAMI ANCORA AMORE ❤️
At the end, long hugs and Gianluca can’t hold back his tears. (Gianluca has always said that when he was little his dad made him listen to the songs of this singer-songwriter, which is why he has such great respect for him)
GIANLUCA= I dreamed and I achieved my dreams also thanks to this moment which was one of the most exciting of my life. ❤️
VECCHIONI = For me too.
GIANLUCA= And I thank you.
VECCHIONI= Are you crying? You who conquered the world, are crying for me who have conquered only one country! You’re great. ❤️
GIANLUCA= You are great. Roberto Vecchioni!
VECCHIONI = Bye everyone.
Piero’s beautiful classic solo follows: AMOR, VIDA DE MI VIDA, sung in Spanish .
It’s Ignazio’s moment who offers a medley by another Italian singer-songwriter who I think you already know: Pino Daniele.
The medley includes: RESTA CU’MME I SAY I STO CCÀ YES I KNOW MY WAY in a mix of Italian and Neapolitan.
The always beautiful Tosca romance follows: NESSUN DORMA
At this point Giorgia is called back on stage and once again Giorgio didn’t understand that it wasn’t his moment…
GIORGIO= Good thing you called me because I fell asleep on the Nessun Dorma. 😂😂
The boys apologize to Giorgio and say that he didn’t understand that the ending of the name was A and not O. 😳😁😁
Giorgio says that perhaps the Arena has bad acoustics because the three of them sing well but speak badly and from behind you can’t understand A or O well so he recommends the kids to pronounce well or to send him a whatsapp!! 🤣🤣🤣
Giorgio goes out and Ignazio tells the boys that maybe it’s best for Giorgio to have his hearing checked. 😉😂😂
And now GiorgiA comes in and has prepared some nice questions for Il Volo.
This time Giorgia will ask personal questions, but they will have to answer as if they were another of the three. 😳😳🤪🤪
PIERO/GIAN= My name is Gianluca, hi…..wait I have to wink.
GIORGIA= Your favorite hobby.
PIERO/GIAN= Instagram 😂
GIAN/IGNA= Playstation.
Ignazio says it’s not true, but Gianluca protests by saying that he and Piero can say everything about him, so he can do it too. 😉
IGNA/PIERO= I’m doing the marathon so I run, I run.
GIORGIA= How do you like to dress?
PIERO/GIAN= Every day different from the next. 😁
IGNAZIO=….how much I liked being Gianluca at this moment….😁😁
GIAN/IGNA= Does he know what he’s doing? He spreads the glue, goes into the wardrobe and puts on whatever remains stuck to him. 🤣🤣 (Piero compliments him for the answer)
GIANLUCA= You’ve seen, I can be nice too!😉
GIORGIA= (To Ignazio) Do you want to say something?
IGNAZIO= Now I’ve redone the walk-in closet, I got all the same clothes so I’m dressed the same every day. 😂
GIORGIA= So how do you dress?
IGNA/PIERO= Terrible! 🤣
GIORGIA= Your relationship with social media.
PIERO/GIAN= I’m here every day😂
GIANLUCA= But at least I always stay in touch with our fans.🥰
PIERO= You must know that we have just returned from Japan, we visited Nara, I have been there, but I saw more things on his Instagram than with my own eyes.😂
GIAN/IGNA= Non-existent, Ignazio doesn’t have a telephone.
GIORGIA= This honors you, can I say it??
PIERO= But who are you telling? (Igna has the sign with the name Piero)😳😳😁
GIORGIA= I don’t know, I’m confused!! 🤪🤪 Last question: What relationship do you have with the hairdresser?
PIERO/GIAN= I’ll even take my personal one to Japan.😂😂
IGNA/PIERO= He (Piero) when he goes to cut his hair, in front of the mirror says: “The thirty-second hair back here and the one hundred and twenty-seventh is longer.” 😂😂
GIAN/IGNA= Instead you (Ignazio) go with the lawnmower 🤣🤣
GIORGIA= Give me back the signs, guys, you were very nice.
From above in the royal box position, Giorgio Panariello in a serious moment reads beautiful words of Bertolt Brecht.
“Children play at war, it is rare for them to play at peace, because adults have always been at war.
You go PUM (shot) and laugh, the soldier shoots and another man doesn’t laugh anymore.
It’s war.
There is another game to invent: make the world smile, don’t make it cry.
Peace means that not everyone likes the same game, that your toys are also liked by other children who often don’t have them, because maybe you have too many of your own, that other children’s drawings are not messes, that your mother doesn’t it’s just all yours, that all children are your friends.
And peace is still: don’t be hungry, don’t be cold, don’t be afraid.” ❤️
Il Volo sings the beautiful SMILE. 🥰
Gianluca calls GiorgiO Panariello on stage, but GiorgiA arrives.
IGNAZIO= There must be a problem back there: GiorgiO 🤣
GIORGIA= Eh, wasn’t it me?
(Giorgio enters) Hi GiorgiO
GIORGIO= Hi GiorgiA.
GIANLUCA= But we can’t do these figures though.
GIORGIO= I explained the acoustics problem to GiorgiA back there, but she doesn’t remember it. (to Giorgia) You have to take the drops of memory (Drops of memory is a song by Giorgia) 🤣🤣🤣 because they are useful to you in these moments here. Agree?
Now it’s my turn.
Then GiorgiA goes backstage.
A long funny historical comic monologue begins by Giorgio Panariello who explains the origins of the Arena. (I translate some passages of the monologue.)
GIORGIO= We are at the Verona Arena, we are immersed in history, you don’t know these things, I have studied, this amphitheater where you are sitting comfortably, it is a Roman amphitheater dating back to the first century AD, think about it, this structure was built even before the Colosseum.
PIERO= I’ve known you forever, but I didn’t think you were such a man of culture. How do you know all these things?
GIORGIO= It’s written on the teleprompter. 🤣🤣
It’s written there.
GIANLUCA= But you can’t reveal it like that.
GIORGIO= You can read too….it’s all written there.
IGNAZIO= But you certainly read it better!
GIORGIO= Because in Verona there is nothing older and better preserved, apart from Gianluca’s forelock, than the Verona Arena. This tuft (talking to Gianluca) dates back to the time of the Etruscans, they already had this tuft here. 😂
The Arena of Verona was built by the Romans right here in Verona, what a coincidence……(now he makes a list of Italian monuments)…..look at this Arena how well it has been preserved, the walls, the stands, the audience, look at how the audience was preserved, when the Romans arrived these people were already here, with umbrellas and raincoats when it rains, they built the Arena around them, I’ve already seen that gentleman there in a bas-relief preserved in the Vatican museums.🤣
People were already here when gladiators fought in the Arena and there were also chariots, have you ever seen chariots? (The speech takes on a mischievous tone and Piero and Ignazio laugh a lot.)
Then in the Middle Ages theatrical and lyrical and therefore musical shows began to be performed and this is why you are here, and with you there is also me, your Giorgio…….your GiorgiO!!!!
GiorgiA comes back after hearing her name called, but Giorgio tells her that it wasn’t her time and sends her away.
Giorgio says that he came to sing and together with Il Volo and the audience they perform a small singing gag. 😁😁😁
Gianluca presents one of the most loved songs in the world, precisely: IL MONDO.
Ignazio says that it has been many years since they sang this beautiful song that everyone knows: LEI (SHE).
Giorgia returns and now it’s Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca who want to ask her questions.
PIERO= Question number one. Which artist did you have a poster of in your room?
GIORGIA= Whitney Houston.
IGNAZIO= Which historical group would you have liked to be part of?
GIORGIA= Queen.
GIANLUCA= What lullaby did you sing to your baby?
GIORGIA= I sang Lullaby to Smelly Cat.
PIERO= Which piece of music are you most attached to?
GIORGIA= Soul of Pino Daniele.
IGNAZIO= The strangest place where you sang a song?
GIORGIA= A wardrobe.
GIANLUCA= The most absurd gift you’ve ever received from a fan?
GIORGIA= The toilet brush shaped like a microphone.
The questions are over and Giorgia thanks the guys for the experience of being with them, she also tells them that they are human, nice and cool people.
It’s Piero’s moment who says that it’s not Il Volo that brings Italian music around, but Italian music that brings Il Volo into the world.
Piero pays homage to Puccini and all the writers of Operas by saying that Operas are nothing more than life stories where usually two people get to know each other and then everyone dies. 😳😁
Piero performs from Tosca: RECONDITA ARMONIA
Gianluca follows with the solo: ALWAYS ON MY MIND in memory of great Elvis Presley.
Now another touching moment, Ignazio reads a letter dedicated to a woman killed by her man a year ago.
And where are you, a fragile soul, in which part of the universe do you find yourself.
Who knows if where you are the sun rises and then sets.
Who knows if grandmothers bake cakes and grandfathers tell fairy tales.
Who knows if people go to harvest and you can still run among the vines.
Who knows if the sea is always curled and the wind blows strong, or maybe everything is calm, calm and silent. Who knows if there is someone there too who wants to tie up your freedom, because here you were not free to choose. You were deprived of the beauty of life with an act of human smallness. Alone I am no one to say enough to violence, but if we say it together we can make a difference. Who knows if now, where you are, you will have found love.
Hi Marisa! 🙏
Ignazio sings ANIMA FRAGILE, a song written by the singer-songwriter Vasco Rossi.
Enter Gaetano Curreri, singer of Stadio, a boy band that Ignazio followed and imitated as a child.
At the end of the duet Ignazio thanks Gaetano Curreri and at the end he says that it was a great emotion to sing this song with him and now he feels happy.
And now Il Volo, reunited, sings GRANADA in three different styles.
A beautiful tribute to Morricone follows with the song SE, taken from Nuovo Cinema Paradiso.
Now a beautiful duet by Ignazio with Mara Sattei singing CREEP by Radiohead.
We return to classical music with a solo by Piero who performs Rossini’s tarantella LA DANZA, a song already sung by Gianluca during Notte Magica.
A solo by Gianluca who sings a beautiful song by the singer-songwriter De Andrè: LA CANZONE DELL’AMORE.
This song is very sweet and Gianluca sings it with so much emotion.
When Piero and Ignazio return, Piero says: “Good boy” and Ignazio says: “This is proof that when you sing from the heart you make a difference and so I was moved.” 😍😍😍
Giorgia returns, but this time to sing together with Il Volo, (in particular with Ignazio who often sings it), her song E POI.
Piero announces the final song of the concert, a song taken from their new album: AD ASTRA.
At the final bars of the beautiful song, a riot of confetti floods the people.
Thus ends a fantastic concert, a perfect and harmonious set of voices, sounds, colours.
Next week will be the concert I attended.
Needless to say, the television broadcast achieved maximum ratings.
Now I want to hear your opinions.
See you soon: Daniela 🤗
As I told you, I was in the Arena in Verona for the Il Volo concert “Tutti per uno” on the evening of May 11th.
To say that it was a MAGNIFICENT concert is truly an understatement, because everything was beautiful and well prepared.
What can we say about the stage and sets?
Stunning, an alternation of lights, colors, images appropriate to the songs!!!
What can we say about the excellent orchestra of 54 elements, the excellent members of the choir positioned on two sides and the fantastic conducting of the friendly Maestro Rota?
What can we say about the numerous but spectacular guests who took turns with our guys?
What about the choice of songs, all beautiful and representative?
What about the fantastic Arena, an enchanting place, packed with a participating, cheering and collaborative audience, who illuminated the Arena with thousands of lights and sang at the top of their lungs?
And finally what to say about our three musketeers, our fantastic ones PIERO IGNAZIO GIANLUCA from their wonderful voices, their mastery on stage, their sympathy, kindness, humility and strength, they force themselves to perform in concert on TV recording without “downtime”, with numerous guests, different songs, different rhythms…… ….Priceless. Attending one of their concerts is a wonderful event, and……….a small but important note, this year it didn’t rain!!!
I realize that the first three concerts in the Arena, which have also been recorded and will be broadcast as early as May 14th by Canale 5, are designed for Italian TV, and therefore the dialogues are in Italian and the guests are known here in Italy, but the foreign audience present still appreciated it a lot and the Italian audience sang and rejoiced listening to beautiful Italian songs that are sometimes forgotten and which have triggered beautiful memories in each of us.
I didn’t make videos, because the three evenings will certainly be broadcast in excellent quality by Canale 5 and I will show them to you and translate the speeches so you too will be able to understand better, I only took some photos with my cell phone but the resolution is certainly not good, but we will have time to put better videos and photos and we will talk a lot about these concerts. This time I am attaching some videos made by my friend Francesca Brazzale who I thank very much.
Know that the emotion of our three boys was palpable.
The start of the evening was amazing, they started by singing the beautiful song from the film GLADIATOR, how exciting: “NELLE TUE MANI”.
I don’t know exactly how the three concerts will be edited by Canale 5, but I can tell you that during the one I attended, it was nice to see Piero and Gianluca join their mothers in the Arena and give them a kiss and it was sweet to listen to the beautiful words dedicated by Ignazio to his deceased father.
In the next video I propose the duet with Irama also contained in the new CD Ad Astra: SATURNO E VENERE.
My husband and I had seats in the fifth row on the far left looking at the stage and I must say that they were not bad seats at all. Near us on the first steps were Torpedine, Barbara, Michelle, Ernesto and his father Ercole who I was able to meet personally that evening.
At a certain point in Capolavoro, Gianluca came to sing right on the stage in front of where we were and we could all see that he was very emotional, to the point of tears.
The last video I propose for this little roundup is LA VITA (LIFE), a beautiful song with very important words.
And here is the roundup of my photos which, as I told you, are not very beautiful, but they are mine and we will certainly have time to see some beautiful ones.
It goes without saying that the Arena is also the ideal place for meetings between fans.
Even though my husband and I arrived at the last moment because we couldn’t find free parking for the car, I was able to say hello to Kirsten and her husband from Denmark, Laura and Ugo from Trieste, Judith from Canada, Susan and her brother from Chicago, too bad I didn’t see Jolanta from Poland then I have know Martina Gerlach-Bunz from Germany, and even if these brief hugs and greetings fill our hearts, this is yet another power of Il Volo, that of bringing together people of different cultures in the name of music.
In this photo: me, my husband Beppe, Kirsten Langer and her husband Steen.
And what about our amazing loving boys??
May 12th was the birthday of Michele Torpedine who was turning 72 years old and during the rehearsals, Ignazio conducted all the orchestral members and choristers and everyone wished Michele a happy birthday, these three were truly UNIQUE!!!
Surely Michele Torpedine will have been happy!
AUGURI TORPEDINE!! 🎂🍾🍾🥰
I don’t want to say anything else so as not to spoil the various surprises that you will be able to see during the three evenings of television.
Meanwhile, Canale 5 has broadcast this nice promo which anticipates the broadcast of the concerts.
I conclude with this beautiful comment published by my journalist friend Antonella Esposito who was present at the concert, never more beautiful words to express what an Il Volo concert is!!
Il Volo: “Tutti per uno” is not a simple concert, it is a multiplayer show in which all the pieces intersect creating the intermittent vision of a body in a periodic way. From the lighting system, to the stage scaffolding, through the graphic mood, up to the perfection of the fluidly diffused and never aggressive sound, everything is there and in the right place.
There is the setting of the Arena, there are guests, many of them.
There is charisma, the different color of voices and character, there is lightness, solemnity, memory.
There is the history of music of which it is a full part.
ARE YOU READY TO SEE THE FIRST ENTIRE CONCERT?
SEE YOU SOON!!
Credit to Daniela Perani and others for their photos and to Francesca Brazzale and others for their videos.
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
