Last November 11th, yet another femicide took place here in Italy, a young woman named Giulia was murdered by her ex-boyfriend.
“According to the report of the Criminal Analysis Service of the Central Directorate of the Criminal Police of the Ministry of the Interior, from 1 January to 12 November 2023, in Italy 102 murders were committed with female victims, of which 82 were killed in the family or emotional context (53 of who were killed by their partner or ex-partner).”
Giulia was only 22 years old, a good and sweet girl who had tried to break off the relationship with her boyfriend Filippo, also 22 years old, who after the killing hid Giulia’s body and fled. He was arrested in Germany.
This latest feminicide has greatly shaken Italian public opinion and numerous meetings have been held in recent days to raise people’s awareness on this topic.
In one of these meetings, organized by the newspaper GRAZIA at Parenti theater in Milan, Gianluca Ginoble also spoke.
The title of the event was: WHAT MEN DON’T SAY.
Gianluca recited the famous monologue dedicated to women victims of violence in Latin America by the Peruvian activist Cristina Torre Cáceres.
Here is the translation of the entire text read by Gianluca with a lot of feeling.
If I don’t answer your calls tomorrow, mom. If I don’t tell you I’ll be back for dinner. If tomorrow, Mommy, you see that the taxi doesn’t arrive.
It may be that I am wrapped in hotel sheets, on a street, or in a black bag. It may be in a suitcase or abandoned on a beach.
Don’t be scared, mom, if you see that I was stabbed. Don’t scream if you see that they dragged me. Mommy, don’t cry if they tell you they impaled me.
They will tell you that it was me, that I didn’t scream, that it was my clothes, that it was the alcohol in my blood. They’ll tell you it was because of the time, because I was alone. That my psychopath ex had motives, that I had cheated on him, that I was a whore. They will tell you that I lived, mother, that I allowed myself to fly too high in an airless world.
I swear to you, mother, that I died fighting.
I swear to you, dear mother, that I screamed really loudly while I was flying.
He will remember me, Ma, he will know that I was the one who ruined him, because he will recognize me in the faces of all those who shout my name at him. Because I know, mom, that you won’t give up.
But, as much as you might want to, don’t bridle my sister. Don’t lock up my cousins, don’t forbid anything to your nieces. It’s not their fault, Mom, just as it wasn’t my fault either. It is them, it will always be them [the men].
Fight for their wings, since they cut mine off. Fight so that they are free and can fly higher than me. Fight so they can scream louder than me. So that they can live without fear, mom, just like I did.
Mommy, don’t cry over my ashes.
If it’s me tomorrow, mom, if I don’t come back tomorrow, destroy everything.
If tomorrow it’s my turn, I want to be the last.
And these are the words added by Gianluca after reading.
So I asked myself what contribution I can offer as a man in favor of this noble cause.
I believe that we men must be the first to raise awareness among other men, especially the younger ones, the boys who are the future. To get to know each other, to ask for help, precisely because the problem underlying this refusal to admit weakness that leads to anger and violence is primarily the non-recognition of one’s own madness and neurosis.
To ensure that Giulia can truly be the last.
Gianluca, as always you have shown your kind soul and attentiveness to the problems of life and youth, thank you for your contribution! ❤️
Then, in recent days, Il Volo wrote that the concerts in China will be postponed, here is the press release.
Due to unforseen circumstances we regret to inform that “IL VOLO China Tour” will be postponed to April 2024. The new dates to be announced shortly.
However, in Japan the screening in cinemas of the event recorded behind closed doors at the Kiyomizu Temple has been confirmed, and now we can show you the promo.
Piero, on the other hand, was involved in the performance that took place in Bologna by the students of maestro Fulvio Massa, Piero’s singing teacher and he was present as a student.
In this photo, Piero with Anna Contino, vice president of the Ozzano Emilia Music Group, who published the photo with this comment: “With the very kind and great Piero Barone”
…………and what happened to Ignazio????
It seems that there is a new love for him, but for now nothing has been confirmed!!
Are only rumors but since all the pages have talked about it, I’ll report what was written.
She is Venezuelan with an Italian father and is often in Italy. Her name is Michelle Bertolini. She has known Il Volo for some time, as there is a photo of him at the Meet & Greet in 2019 in Budapest, here it is.
And these days…..
It seems that Ignazio is really in love and flew to Venezuela for her.
In this video he sings for her “La luna hizo esto”
This was also a busy week for Gianluca Piero and Ignazio, because we remember they were also in the recording room for the tracks of the new CD.
Congratulations to Gianluca for once again highlighting his kind and sensitive soul.
Congratulations to Piero for honoring his commitment as a student in the field of opera music.
Congratulations to Ignazio if he has found his new love, we wish him with much affection.
The time is 21:10… and the doors at Teatro Arcimboldi are still open but the light slightly dimmed. The audience starts clapping their hands and making noises for the third time. A certain tension has arisen.
At 21:15 sharp, however, the lights are turned off, the curtain slowly pulls aside and bathed in a spotlight, three young men appear.
Dressed in black suits and shirts, standing completely still in the silence. A roar arose from the audience. A single voice is heard. No music. No lightshow. A pitch black stage.
Gianluca’s honey-like voice has softly started up the first lines of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” but is soon joined by Ignazio’s emotional interpretation of the words and Piero’s warm and strong emphasizes of the highlights. IL VOLO has taken the stage! The audience is brought in an instant awe with this a cappella version of the legendary song.
We are spellbound and in their hands from the very first note! The audience goes crazy. Standing ovations. What an opening – and so unexpected! Actually, I had just told my husband that I was ready for a bet that they would start up individually in each corner of the hall with their new version of “Granada” – in similarity with the openings of the TV-shows in Verona. So much for that! Those guys understand to surprise us, so what now to expect?
Coincidences happen and opportunities arise…
It wasn’t planned at all. I wasn’t going to attend yet an Il Volo concert this summer.
Having enjoyed the “rainy” concert in Verona with Daniela on May 1st , well, I figured that it would have to do for a while.
So I had tried to ignore and forget all about the upcoming Italian concerts. However… when with only a few weeks’ notice it was suddenly decided that my husband and I would do a European self-drive holiday at the end of August/primo September – and I sat down to plan the itinerary in detail – an unexpected “door” opened.
I needed an overnight stop somewhere between Austria and Umbria (mid Italy) as too far to drive in one day.
I looked at the date – Sunday, September the 3rd – uh wasn’t it one of the days of the IL VOLO concerts?
And Milan – uh wasn’t it just more or less right along the planned route? Yes! OMG it could work!
My husband needed a bit of persuasion but had to admit that it wasn’t too bad an idea 😊.
Only, what about concert tickets?
At first glance the concert was all sold out – oh NO – but yet again, if we were willing to sit not exactly next to each other, we could find acceptable seats – at least we thought.
And voila – we were going to enjoy one of the “Tutti per Uno” Concerts in Milan! 😁😉☺. And here we are!
Trees do not grow into the sky though…
and everything did not exactly turn out as we had hoped for with this concert arrangement.
Reaching the theatre and finding our seats we realized that the lack of understanding the Italian language had given us an incorrect impression of the location of the same. Not only were we not going to sit together, but apparently these seats were not in the back of the floor on an elevation nor on the front row of same, as we had understood – but actually on the first balcony! So absolutely not the same as being on the floor with the opportunity of having the guys pass by when mingling with the audience and furthermore, my seat was neither near the middle of the hall as thought but rather almost at the very end to the left with my husband even further away. Hence, we went to the ticket office trying to explain the situation hoping that they might have received some last minute cancellations that we could upgrade to. Nope. Absolutely no mercy here. We were told that we could purchase new tickets (at a totally sold out concert?) and then try to sell the original ones by the door (half an hour before the start of the concert?).
Disappointed, we walked back to our seats pondering about what a study of the word “service” could have done in this connection… In spite of a totally sold out concert we did, however, quickly noticed none the less than a section of some 15-20 empty seats in a rounding just in front of us… When the doors closed and the guys had finished their opening song these seats were still not occupied… We signalized each other: Let’s make a go for them.
So we did end up sitting next to each other – still on the balcony – but now kind of in the front row with better views, while the theatre lost out on the income of the difference in ticket prices and not the least happy clients!
Sound Check…
Another point of disappointment relates to the “Sound Check” – or rather the cancelled one. Actually, having heard nothing from the official FanClub as to the possibilities of a sound check arrangement before we left Denmark, I did not anticipate that there would be any at all and had come to terms with that. But a few days before the concert I received an email gladly announcing sound check invitations to all the European concerts. Jihaaa – and a few minutes later I held a confirmation on my iPhone. YES, we were accepted to attend the sound check prior to our concert. My heart did beat a little harder – being the very best chance of meeting the guys. But not for long as shortly after I received yet another mail now telling me that all the sound checks in Milan but the very first one would not be carried through… for some rather unclear reason. My heart stopped beating for a bit. Oh no – why? Even worse, the next day I got a new email telling me that there would be a sound check in connection with the very last concert on the 9th of September to which we were welcome to attend… But on the 9th we would be far away from Milan without the slightest chance of attending. It was like a kick in the belly and a much bigger disappointment than if no invitations had been offered at all. I don’t know about that official FanClub… sorry to say. When in Rome at X-mas the sound check ended up with us standing for more than 1 hr. outside in the cold being let in only for the very last 10 minutes or so and with no following special “Meet & Greet” about the new book as clearly stated in the invitation. That did simply not occur nor did we get any info or explanation. And now we get an invitation – a confirmation – then it gets all cancelled followed by a “but you can attend another day”… I lack to understand what could possibly be a difference in technical conditions that could lead to a cancellation some days but functioning on the 2nd and the 9th of September?
Well, apparently it is just not for me to succeed in experiencing a well-functioning sound check. And for once I had ample time to take part and staying in a convenient hotel, just at 3 min. walk from the concert hall. Alas, one cannot win all battles, but I must admit, I was truly disappointed and sad at the time.
Back to the concert
As you do all know by now the concert was in many ways built up in the very same way as the big ditto ones in Verona, however, without guest stars. Each guy did about 5 solos, I think, and then a nice amount of their original repertoire together. Having some 60 songs to choose among, apparently the repertoire has varied from evening to evening. Daniela has most kindly made up and previously posted a list with all the songs performed during these 6 concerts – you can look them up. I must admit that my concentration was more on the show and performances than what songs were actually performed on my night particularly… sorry, so I did not make notes. But I recall some of those that I enjoyed the most.
Don’t get me wrong, I love all songs by IL VOLO but, of course, I have my favorites. All guys had a good evening and did great – but I recall particularly Ignazio in the good old Aretha Franklin song: “A natural woman”. In Verona he did it as a duet with one of the guest stars, but this evening he did it all by himself while likewise playing the piano. That song suits him well and he performed it with a lot of soul, emotion and the right amount of Motown ambiance. I loved it – and so did the audience.
Gianluca gave us his new Beatles medley, which likewise fits his soft voice really well and brings back good memories to me and my husband being big Beatles fans. He did also perform the old Freddy Mercury rock-´n-roll song and Elvis tribute “This crazy little thing” that seems to be his own favorite for the time being. It worked better for him than I recall from Verona and he is visually happy singing and performing it. His very embodied and emotional interpretation of the love song “Cura” did, however, capture the audience the most.
As anticipated Piero had chosen a selection of opera arias the names of which I do, unfortunately, not know or recall. One was, however, “Mamma quel vino è generoso”. But he is happy as a lark performing these songs that are all concluded with big wall-to-wall smiles clearly indicating that he has succeeded to his own satisfaction. One of the highlights to me was an operatic duet between him and Ignazio: “Miserere”. That duet he did with a rock singer in Verona – but Ignazio did a fabulous job taking over here – kudos to him. Ignazio has an incredible span in his voice and seems to be able to embrace almost any kind of musical genre.
Personally, I love when the guys sing together the most though – creating those awesome and beautiful harmonies that define the IL VOLO sound – and we were blessed with their core songs such as “Il Mondo”, “My Way” and, of course, “Grande Amore”.
Mingling with the audience
Is no doubt something the guys enjoy themselves tremendously – hence their choice of the smaller Teatro Arcimboldi according to themselves – giving them the opportunity to get close to the audience and their fans.
Therefore, to the tunes of the traditional Bel Canto song “Volare” they climbed down from the stage, opened the gate to the hall and wandered singing out among the audience who were lucky to get handshakes, selfies and even hugs while they sang their hearts out. The audience on the floor went crazy and embraced them standing, while we could only watch the fun from our closed balcony seats (said the sour grape being truly jealous of those having been able to obtain orchestra seats on the floor).
But there can no longer be any doubt to anyone that these guys are highly loved by the audience and their fans!
There was an incredible atmosphere in the hall – a true party – and lots of fans must have returned home with great memories of close encounters with the guys.
Due to our seating I was generally not able to take any good photos or videos – too far a distance for my old iPhone camera to deal with – but in spite of same I did try anyway to capture these emotions.
On top the attached little video from the same clip shows – apart from roof, floor and other uninteresting objects – that in the very back of the hall you do actually find Michele Torpedine and Barbara Vitali standing, enjoying it all.
The easiest guy to follow was Gianluca due to his white suit at this stage – I caught a glimpse of him getting up to them to say hi, and back again into the mass of people – while at the very end of the clip a split second Piero among the fans at the first row appears. Sorry for the quality and mess in this clip, but I thought you might enjoy seeing it anyhow.
Piero takes it all – almost…
It has been interesting to follow Piero over the last 3 years or so as he seems to evolve technically and artistically from concert to concert – this time no difference. In Verona he proved that he was ready for the bigger opera scenes and this he repeated this evening. His arias seemed flawless and he delivered them with great confidence.
And this did not pass unnoticed! The audience loved him and gave him one big standing ovation following the next. Kind of interesting to note as no doubt only few in the audience are true opera fans, but Piero understands to capture everyone’s heart. I myself am neither much into opera – but I do most certainly appreciate the efforts and the perfection with which Piero performs his songs.
Hence, it is not incorrect to say that Piero did take most of the praises home this evening – in fact so much that my husband at a stage, after Gianluca had performed “La Cura” and earned a big standing ovation, commented: “Phew, I am glad that – finally – he did likewise get a huge recognition”.
My husband did actually feel a bit sorry for both Gianluca and Ignazio for not receiving the same overwhelming appreciations as Piero. Or in other words, he found all three equally worthy of standing ovations. 😊
and then it was all over…
All good things come to an end and in no time 2 hrs. and 10 min. had vanished and it was time for the guys to bid us good-bye which they did in their traditional way by singing “Grande Amore” while thanking the conductor, the orchestra, their own musicians etc. etc. and Ignazio doing his backwards countdown “3-2-1” and taking a big jump and away they were without the audience being able to bring them back to stage for “extras” in spite of long lasting standing ovations. I always find myself in an awesome vacuum following such an intense and much looked forward to experience and I need time to digest it all.
Luckily, we had a lovely little balcony to our hotel apartment so husband and I had the opportunity to sit down in the warm, mild Italian summer night and enjoy a glass of wine and take it all a bit better before calling it a day.
Teatro Arcimboldi, Milan
The guys have clearly expressed their excitement about Theatro Arcimboldi – based on the intimacy and possibility to get closer to their audience – and I can follow their thinking to a certain degree.
At the concert Ignazio did highlight another positive angle – no worries for rain 😁.
Having said this I do, however, find that there are pros and cons at all venues and in this case – apart from being stock if seated on one of the balconies and hence not able to join in the “fun” when they mingle with the audience (read, if you go be sure to purchase seats on the floor) well, then I missed thoroughly “big screens”. I didn’t realize until then how much they add to the experience. Seated high on my balcony I could hardly see who was whom – just 3 little “ants” moving about – and I had no idea as to whether Ignazio was having a big beard or a goatee only; what kind of glasses Piero was wearing nor if Gianluca did still have his signature curl or… Even worse, I could not see and enjoy their gorgeous smiles nor perceive their little sweet antics such as giving each other a high five, a caring hug or a kiss on the cheek… – these things that are so special for the IL VOLO guys.
I do now realize how much more I enjoy their music being able to watch their facial expressions and hence, admittedly, you get more out of watching a video or TV-transmission than being present at a live concert – unless you are seated in the very front rows and/or big screens are provided for. Add to that the difficulties of getting to/from Teatro Arcimboldi. It is located in a suburban area next to a University some 25 minutes by Metro from downtown Milan and with few hotels in the close vicinity only. Ignazio mentions in a video that you can easily access the theatre by train – that is true, but he forgets to mention that there are few or no trains leaving from this regional station after midnight, so no way of getting back home the same evening by this means of transportation. The Metro runs a little later but personally we do not feel comfortable using it late at night – after all Milan is a big city – and getting hold of a taxi could be difficult, so we ended up purchasing the most expensive accommodation on our entire trip just in order to be within close walking distance of this venue. And without the big screens… I am not sure that we will choose Milan for our next IL VOLO experience. Verona seems like a much more attractive venue in a lovely environment with many accommodation options and easy access – so in spite of the possibility of rain, well, I think – as a foreigner and tourist – that I will prefer to go there. (in Arena)
In the footsteps of IL VOLO.
Luckily, the concert in Milan was only the very beginning of our 2-weeks long holiday in Italy, so albeit having to leave Milan and IL VOLO behind the following morning, we were having some great and lovely experiences to look forward to. Having visited the major Italian tourist areas several times before we had decided to do something new – and inspired by the IL VOLO guys – I had planned an out of the ordinary Italian holiday itinerary including among others a visit to The Frasassi Caves (where they filmed the Storaro documentary singing Morricone), we enjoyed refreshments at the town square in the lovely town of Ascoli di Piceno, (where they performed a fantastic al fresco concert this summer and Gianluca un-announced appeared on his own at a special event), enjoyed swimming and lounging at the inviting sandy beach of Roseto as well as explored the beautiful and awesome landscapes and hidden medieval towns in Abruzzo (Gianluca’s home base).
So IL VOLO was not out of mind in spite of out of sight, the following weeks and we learned a lot new about Italy. Next time we must explore Sicily – a region we have yet to visit too. The IL VOLO guys ought to receive a price of honor – namely the one of being fantastic ambassadors of their country!
Prior to the Milan concert my husband and I did likewise have the opportunity to meet up with Daniela for a very lovely evening in Brescia. Only sad that she could not join us at the concert the following evening, but it is always great to meet up with fellow fans. The IL VOLO guys most certainly connect us regardless of nationality, age or social backgrounds. This is exercising international understanding in the very best way. 😉
Thank you so very much for taking the time to read my story – I hope you have enjoyed my comments and reflections. Warmest greetings – KIRSTEN❤
I was translating Il Volo’s long interview on Radio 102.5 for you, but I stopped momentarily to translate this nice review on the Milan concerts for you.
As I already told you, after the concerts many articles spoke well of Il Volo and also many news programs,…… is something changing?
But first read this nice interview published by the DEJAVU blog and written by Cristina Rampini . I will translate it for you all.
IL VOLO: unique, sensational, amazing at the Arcimboldi Theater in Milan. Our review.
“The theater is a more intimate place that brings us closer to the Italian public who has followed us from the beginning and whose great support we always feel.”
IL VOLO with their show “Tutti per uno” will overwhelm the audience at the Arcimboldi Theater in Milan for six dates: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9 September!
It is the first time that Il Volo performs in a theater in Italy, thus establishing a special bond with the audience in a more intimate atmosphere. “Tutti per uno”, shown for the first time in June at the Verona Arena and broadcast on Canale 5, winning the prime time share, is a show that creates a magical harmony, transporting viewers on an unforgettable journey.
On stage, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, accompanied by the Orchestra, in addition to performing their classics that have now entered the hearts of fans, take turns giving the public their solo voices.
We at DejaVu were present on September 3rd and we are still intoxicated by it.
THE SHOW
By joking with each other and telling anecdotes related to their careers, the trio creates an atmosphere of familiarity that envelops the entire theater.
Among the songs in the setlist there is no shortage of “Ecstasy Of Gold”, from their latest album “Il Volo Sings Morricone”, their hit “Grande amore” and the classics of Italian song such as “Il Mondo” and “Io che non vivo” and of operas such as “Nessun dorma” and “Luceavan le Stelle”.
OUR REVIEW
When you say “know how to sing” you really can’t help but say “Il Volo”.
Three young artists who overwhelm the audience with vocals that are absolutely different from each other but of a disarming quality.
A mastery of the stage that is intertwined with a vocal and expressive ability of true Big that overwhelms the audience in a show lasting over two hours.
This new “Tutti per Uno” format highlights the musical tastes of the three and gives us a glimpse of the history of incredible international music.
PIERO, a lyrical range and technical precision that make him ready to take on great roles in Italian melodrama. In particular, he leaves us speechless with his interpretation of “Mamma, il vino è generous”, an aria taken from Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana. (I’m sorry for those who dispute this simply because of archaic mental prototypes).
IGNAZIO, or “the voice”. Disarming vocal extension with a tightness even in the high notes that leaves you speechless. The star of the stage with his jokes and his irony who also doesn’t fail to make us cry with a splendid reinterpretation of “At least you in the universe” by Mia Martini.
GIANLUCA, always fascinating (but since super in love also very tender) takes us into the world of the Beatles, of the legendary Elvis Presley without leaving out precious jewels of Italian song such as “La cura” by Battiato of which he does an intense and highly emotional revisitation with a voice that enchants you from the first notes also for its truly enveloping timbre.
Great music, great voices, great stage performance… a show to absolutely see.
The only sadness: very few young people in the audience and this must make us reflect a lot on the fact that it is necessary to “educate” the new generations about good music by giving them the critical ability to distinguish the difference between real music, real artists and pseudo artists.
And finally a truly truthful review, which leaves nothing to chance.
The writer does not report “hearsay”, she was present at the concert and was impressed in a very positive sense. ☺
The comments on the voices and personalities of Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca are very beautiful and spot on.
I had the impression, reading this review, that the writer did not have any restrictions or impediments to write what she saw at full speed.
I was very happy, even elated, it’s been a long time since we read such a beautiful and accurate review.
In recent days, after the concerts in Milan, there have been many positive comments and even good reviews, but this is certainly the best.
There was another nice review, but in that one, I had the impression that whoever wrote it, while paying many compliments to the boys, justified their success because they use “popular” songs that aim for the heart and harmonies to very long times……..well, I don’t agree, being successful in Italy with the repertoire that Il Volo presents is not at all easy, in fact it isn’t easy at all because here, everything that it is part of our tradition is considered old, out of fashion. And what about their harmonies…. they are unbeatable and I challenge our other Italian singers to do similar ones.
The final reflection of the article DEJAVU is very beautiful, it’s true, our young people are not used to listening to beautiful songs even by recent song writers, if they don’t have rap or urban rhythms, in short rhythms that are successful now here in Italy.
Our young people don’t listen to Il Volo at all, also due to the denigrating campaign that Il Volo has had from the press which has always defined them as “old”.
But people are tired of the new rhythms, which have also brought rudeness, vulgarity and inelegance.
Something is changing and our favorites are getting more and more support and this makes me really happy.
In the meantime, you will think that Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca will be deservedly resting, after 6 concerts and in view of the concert in Zurich on the 17th………. this is not really the case.
Three days after the concerts in Milan, Gianluca gave a performance, singing Hallelujah alone during a fund-raising square party in Ascoli Piceno.
“Just over a month after the concert with Il Volo in Piazza del Popolo, I find myself here in this wonderful city for a special appointment with Dardust. Please follow us, there will be lots of guests.”
And here are some brief pieces of the song.
This event is organized by Dardust (he is a pianist, as well as an excellent modern composer and producer well known in Italy). It is a memorial in memory of a boy who died of leukemia and the proceeds will go to AIL, the Italian Leukemia Association.
In his performance, Gianluca is accompanied on the piano by Dardust (it’s a stage name, in reality his name is Dario Faini).
GIANLUCA= Thank you for your presence and solidarity, the goodness can also be perceived from here.
DARDUST= Thank you.
GIANLUCA= And then thank you also for the welcome and love you gave us in our concert which was held here in Ascoli with Il Volo almost two months ago. Thanks so much for the support, thanks again.
(A warm hug between Dardust and Gianluca)
Gianluca with Dardust and Saturnino . On the fifth evening in Milan, Saturnino performed as a guitarist, accompanying Ignazio in the song “You Make Me Feel”.
In this photo, Gianluca is next to Giorgia, a very good Italian singer (the song E POI that Ignazio sings in concert is hers). Giorgia performed in the final part of the event.
In this photo Gianluca hugs Giorgia and shows the photo taken with Giorgia 15 years ago on his cell phone.
Well done Gianluca, even participating in this event honors you.
But that’s not all, Il Volo has announced that on the evening of Saturday 16th he will be in Verona and will participate in the Tim Music Awards.
So on Saturday evening we will see them on TV together with many other singers and the following day they will be in concert in Zurich………in short, never a moment’s break!!
Speaking of the concert in Zurich, Il Volo was interviewed by RSI musica, a truly beautiful interview, activate the English subtitles and rejoice. ☺
I really liked this interview, the place chosen was beautiful, the interviewer Isabel Piazza was good and our dear Ignazio, Gianluca and Piero were wonderful and very relaxed, they answered exhaustively and always with education and depth to the beautiful and interesting questions. TOP! ❤❤❤
And after this nice interview, I can go back to translating the RTL 102.5 interview.
September seemed far away, but in an instant it arrived, and with the beginning of the month, also the series of concerts in Milan and exactly at the Arcimboldi Theater.
It is the first time that Il Volo performs in a theatre.
Andrea Spinelli’s interview in the newspaper IL GIORNO is beautiful, which I translate for you.
Row 43, seat 8. The last seat left for the show with which Il Volo begins its stay at the Arcimboldi this evening vanished yesterday morning around lunchtime. And it could not have been otherwise given the request which, doubling the three concerts initially planned, transformed this theatrical debut by Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble into a sort of “residency”. Six shows in eight days that see them engaged in the Bicocca (the district where the Arcimboldi Theater is) until next Saturday with a revised and corrected version of that “All for One” brought to Italian homes last spring from the Arena of Verona by winning the audience challenge.
How does the show change in the transition from TV to theater?
Barone= Next year we will celebrate fifteen years of our career, so we preferred not to go on tour and re-propose the Verona show, even if in a slightly more intimate way, on a single stage. That of the Arcimboldi.
Content?
Ginoble=We built the repertoire of the show with the idea of consolidating our musical evolution: three child prodigies, who have become three interpreters of character, each with his own personality. That’s why the innovation of ‘All for one’ is precisely that clearly outlines the characteristics of each one, in addition to that of the group that everyone already knows.
Why Milan?
Boschetto= Because the Arcimboldi theater is one of the most significant modern theaters we have in Italy and because bringing an arena performance into such a setting ends up making it necessarily resonate with a different intimacy.
Barone= And then in the two TV episodes we sang 60 songs, while in the theater we sang half of them: the best of.
In December you sang at the Forum.
Ginoble= Yes, but, having never performed in Italian theatres, we are curious to see the audience’s reaction in such a different setting. As happened on TV, to give vent to our personalities there will be solo moments. Five each. Piero will sing his opera arias, I will pay homage to Elvis and Ignazio the great female pop voices. And, speaking of Elvis, the show begins with the Straussian ‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra’ also used by him in his shows in Las Vegas. An idea of Ignazio.
Speaking of audience reactions, where was the most unpredictable?
Barone= Once, in Vera Cruz, Mexico, we sang in an amphitheater with a small lake between the stage and the audience. At the end of the concert, people took to the water to come and hug us.
Ginoble= A young thing. Because there we have a younger audience than in Italy. Here we have, in fact, only the hit ‘Grande amore’, while there we have five or six. This has allowed us to grow together with our fans.
Tomorrow you will sing first at the Monza racetrack and then at the Arcimboldi.
Barone= When they ask you to sing the Mameli anthem before the Italian Grand Prix, how can you say no? In recent years, as well as in Monza, we have also done it in Imola, in Mugello, and it has always been an incredible emotion.
And in fact, I want to start first with the institutional event in Monza, to then dedicate myself completely to the concerts.
Always impeccable our boys!! ☺
And now we come to the concerts.
An amazing start, curtain closed and then the three of them, Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero. After the roar of the audience,
………silence and a beautiful Hallelujah a cappella opens the evening.
Spectacular, goosebumps.
Magnificent beginning followed by Grande Amore, and then greetings to the audience.
IGNAZIO= Hi Milanoooooo.
GIANLUCA= Good evening everyone.
IGNAZIO= (to Piero), Do you want to talk or do I?
PIERO= Speak
GIANLUCA= Go
IGNAZIO= Good evening, welcome, we are finally back in concert.
In the theatre, our first theatre, it had never occurred to us to sing in the theater in Italy, but as a first impression everything is already much more intimate. We are much closer, we don’t have the risk of rain like in Verona. 😁
Thank you all so much for being here tonight, thank you.
GIANLUCA= I would say that after a break…..we are particularly excited, because after a break of almost 3-4 months, after a summer of vacation and relaxation, now we can start again, we need to warm up properly, but as Ignazio said, it is the first time in the theatre.
Finally we can have our Italian audience so close, in a more intimate concert, where we can perhaps best express our emotions, singing like never before.
PIERO= The need for the theater arose from the two television evenings that I hope at least many of you saw, from the Verona Arena concert ALL FOR ONE, to demonstrate to those who know us and those who don’t, our three personalities. Our deepest personalities and vocal characteristics and so tonight will be a musical journey across almost every genre.
Ladies and gentlemen, good evening.
There are so many videos and so many beautiful photos to see.
I’ll make a selection for you, but they are all beautiful.
Lots of amazing solos. What a pity that I could not attend these concerts.
Gianluca: BEATLES MEDLEY
Ignazio: C’È UNA RAGIONE DI PIÙ
At the end of the song, Ignazio leans on the piano and sings “there is one more reason to tell you…… that we stay here”
Ignazio= YOU MAKE ME FEEL(Ignazio plays the piano)
CANZONE PER TE – LONTANO DAGLI OCCHI Tribute to Sergio Endrigo
CARUSO
IL MONDO
SE TELEFONANDO
ECSTASY OF GOLD
And then there are songs whose moments amaze you, like this one where Ignazio sings with Piero:
MISERERE
And moments of extreme sweetness, such as when, during the third evening, Gianluca gets off the stage and goes towards his girlfriend, takes her by the hand and brings an amazed Eleonora to the first steps of the stage, they sit down and hand in hand, Gianluca dedicates her a beautiful song with a deep meaning, LA CURA by Battiato.
The most important words of this beautiful song reiterate the love and dedication for always: “I will save you from all melancholy
Because you are a special being
And I will take care of you
Yes, I’ll take care of you.”
A truly unique and special moment, full of love. At the end of the song Gianluca says “It’s our anniversary”. A treasure of a man, our sweet Gianluca. ❤ ❤
LA CURA
And here is the lineup of songs sung the first few nights, but there were also some song changes the following nights.
Really challenging concerts!
1. Hallelujah 2. Grande Amore 3. Almeno tu nell’universo 4. Suspicious minds 5. Mamma quel vino è generoso 6. Nessun Dorma 7. Io che non vivo 8. Crazy little thing 9. Una ragione di più 10. Lucevan le stelle 11. Estasi dell’oro 12. Se telefonando 13. Marechiare 14. My heart will go on 15. Beatles Medley 16. My way 17. Caruso 18. Medley Endrigo 19. Una poesia anche per te 20. La cura 21. Misere 22. Il mondo 23. Can’t help falling in love 24. E poi 25. No puede ser 26. Volare 27. Grande amore reprise
A nice Medley from the concert on September 4th.
The photos are numerous and beautiful.
You won’t believe it but it seems for once that the Italian critics are positive.
Many newspapers and news programs spoke well of them, including the national ones on RAI 1 and RAI 2.
A lot of people who didn’t know them at all are getting to know them and they like the “new face” of Il Volo.
Often, during the various evenings, there are “surprises” like when Ignazio sang accompanied by a violinist.
Ignazio= UNA POESIA ANCHE PER TE
Or Gianluca who sang Angels by Robbie Williams on the fourth evening.
Gianluca= ANGELS
Or Ignazio who in the concert on September 3rd sang accompanied on guitar and vocals by Nico Arezzo, remember, the boy who is under Ignazio’s FLOKI label.
Ignazio+Nico= YOU MAKE ME FEEL
Radio RTL102.5, the most listened to radio station in Italy, was also present at the concert and Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio were interviewed live from the RTL studios on 6 September.
I will make you a future article with an exhaustive translation of Il Volo’s visit to the radio.
In the video below, Il Volo with the two RTL 102.5 speakers present at the concert.
And then also Federica Panicucci, who you will remember had presented, as sent by Canale 5, the two concerts at the Arena.
Here she is with our loved ones. The photo was published by Federica herself with this comment: “Talent, genius, professionalism.
An amazing show. Thank you Ignazio, Piero, Gianluca, for the unforgettable evening.”
Truly a week of beautiful concerts and well-deserved success, for their skill and their dedication to always improving.
I conclude with some of their words said in an interview:
“In recent years we have learned to know each other, there is great mutual esteem between us. I always tell Piero that I can’t wait to sit in the royal box to see him perform an opera. As we grow up, our personality and our artistic desires also develop, beyond Il Volo.”
Individually we also like to do other things. After 15 years we would like people to understand that there is much more.”
So, go ahead with your projects, we are sure that you will not disappoint us and we are ready to follow you and support you in your choices.
As promised, here is the first of two reviews sent to me.
This is written by Alessandra Composto, and concerns the concert in Milan on December 17th.
Alessandra, who lives in France, had warned me, via Flight Crew, that she would be coming to Milan and we were able to exchange a few words at the signing of the book, we hope to meet more calmly next time, it’s so nice to meet Il Volo-friends!!
Enjoy this review of the first concert seen by Alessandra.
Good viewing: Daniela.🤗
__________________________________________
Hello Daniela and all IL Volo Flights Crew and Happy New Year to all!!
I wanted just to share all I have from the book signing at the instore on December 16 in Mondadori Milan and the concert of December 17 of Milano Forum Assago.
I am Italian (Sicilian), but I don’t live in Italy, my work has taken me to various places, now I live in lower France and will soon move to Paris.
I started to follow Il VOLO thanks to my uncle, since “Ti lascio una canzone” in Italy, but I never saw Il VOLO in concert before.
Their voices are really fantastic. Being brought up in Italy in a family that listened and read opera books, I knew right away that their voices were special.
I’m subscribed to several fan pages, as I believe all of you too, and also on this site, and it’s in this crew that I wanted to share my experiences.
I came from France to attend the concert and when I read that the day before there would be a book signing I was happy, so I could also do that event at the Feltrinelli bookshop.
I had the chance to see them from very close at the Mondadori Library. Gianluca and Piero looked really tired, no wonder after such a tour of the world in less than 80days 🤣!!!!
Must say that Ignazio was the most kind, fun, talkative, open and welcoming one that day.
While I was in line I took some photos.
I saw and called to Daniela, we exchanged a few words, but we didn’t take a picture.
Hi Daniela, it was nice to meet you in Milan!
And here it is my photo, posted on the library page!!
The day after, at the sound check, I could approach Gianluca, who has been very kind indeed, to ask him when they would perform in France, country where I live, he was really kind and took the time to answer me I could also see his father Mr. Ercole Ginoble and his brother Ernesto sitting not so far from us, but I did not dare to go and talk to them ….I didn’t want to bother them.
Apart from the unfortunate and poor staff organisation of both events, -Fans put away by security for a photos after queuing 1 and 1/2 hour the first day……..and – standing in the cold for 2 hours to enter in the sound check without microphone for a Q&A , the second day, pity, because Il Volo certainly deserves an organization of a higher level………but the most important thing is that:
THE CONCERT WAS AMAZING!!!
– I went home with my eyes and ears full of magic ready to repeat this experience, very soon I hope, and over and over again thinking that this was not just a concert it was a true Experience that will grow intellectually and culturally old with them as time will go by… I truly can feel it.
– And the three of them are not just singers they could be much, much more together and also by themselves …. I also bet that the fans have not yet seen a quarter of what they will and are able to do in the future.
Il Volo strives for the importance of the family. I wonder if they really know that they put together families and different generations thanks to their concerts, their music and their art!!!
Here is my sister and brother-in-law whom I brought with me to the concert. They loved it!!!
Ignazio, Gianluca and Piero, have different personalities that we know and I could witness that is true now!
Ignazio is a real showman. ❤
Piero is a very good and handsome show supporter of Ignazio and his voice is just amazing especially when he sings opera…..❤
Gianluca has a fantastic scene presence. ❤
The three of them make ONE and complete each other leaving the audience with a breathtaking envy to have a listen to them once more.
Ignazio is unforgettable in his solo “All by Myself “ and unbelievably touchy together with Gianluca in the Alleluia duos with the magic and extra professional orchestra that plays what the three magically arrange.
Unfortunately I was too far away to take nice photos of our beloved boys, but I also wanted to enjoy the show.
I made two or three videos with my cell phone, but I don’t have Facebook and I don’t know how to share them with you, I hope Pat is able to attach at least the “Hallelujah” one, even if I turned my cell phone upside down. But the sights, sounds and beautiful voices of that evening remain etched in my mind.
When you are a fan, it is a serious thing and fans are forever. ❤️💕🌸
Wonderful seasons greetings to all!!!
Alessandra
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
