As you all know, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca quickly returned to Italy. But maybe not everyone, especially those who don’t have Facebook, knows where the guys are now.
The three, are scattered around Italy, one in the north, one in the center and one in the south.
Let’s start with Piero.
As we read from his words, Piero returned to Sicily, to his Naro, but did not return to the family. To preserve his health and the health of his loved ones, Piero has self-isolated himself in his apartment (which is close to that of his parents), and has no physical contact with them. He has self-declared (as is expected here) and is observing a quarantine, isolated from all.
Piero made a video call with his friend Mariano Di Vaio, whom the boys had met in Miami.
Here it is and I will roughly translate it for you.
First thing, we all notice, Piero’s new beard cut …… I don’t like it !!!😑
Mariano also makes fun of Piero for doing this new shave and leaving his mustache like this, and laughing. Piero said he did it alone (of course). He was inspired by the Narcos telefilm, where there is a sheriff, and was inspired by him.
Piero says he’s been in quarantine for two days and already doesn’t know what to do. Mariano says he’s been four days and it feels like a month (he also has a wife and 3 children).
Piero shows that he also tried to cut his hair, with the result that he almost peeled one side. (disaster)
He says he saw a video of a fairly well-known singer in Miami, who was in the disco without worries. 😲
(Thank you Judy Thurman for this nice collage!)
Di Vaio, confirming that he spoke with friends in Miami when the alarm went up, but people still do not realize the big problem of C19.
To pass the time, Piero watches TV, then has tools to train with, takes virtual lessons with his personal trainer.
Piero says that he would have liked to stay at home with his parents and sister, however, he is alone and the policemen come every day to check that he is at home, in isolation, because having been away, he does not know if he may have contracted the virus, and therefore, rightly so.
But Piero, what did you do, right now that hair was starting to grow back!!
Climbing up, from the boot, we arrive in central Italy, Montepagano ….. Gianluca.
Gianluca was traveling, accompanied by his mother Eleonora. They returned home, but not to their parents’ house, but to Gianluca’s house, to be isolated from Ercole and Ernesto. Gianluca lives close to his parents, but they still couldn’t hug each other. They too are in isolation.
Gianluca provides us with many moments of his day and his beautiful home.
In this video, Gianluca says that in quarantine they are all becoming incredible chefs. He too, who has never cooked in his life, made an amazing banana dessert.
Then Gian also practices playing the piano.
Bravo Gianluca !!
And he trains in his small gym. Do not overdo it!
Instead, mother Eleonora sends us this photo of Ernesto beyond the railing of the window. On the photo it says: “Love at a distance, soon we will embrace each other again.”
We continue in the ascent of Italy, and we arrive in the north, in Bologna, where Ignazio is.
Ignazio returned to Bologna, where he has his apartment and where his sister Nina was, who was already waiting for him in solitary confinement.
The situation in Bologna is much more serious than in Sicily or Abruzzo.
Ignazio has a long phone call with his friend Fabio Ingrassia, which I translate briefly for you.
Immediately Fabio asks Ignazio if he has bought the new earring, and Ignazio affirms and shows it to him, then asks Ignazio, how is the first day of quarantine and Ignazio answers: Arturo, television and one meter from his sister Nina. Fabio tells him that in Marsala (where Fabio is) there are two new cases of C19.
Nina cooks, and Ignazio confirms that he is now vegan. He also shows a pizza that his sister made him on his arrival, heart-shaped and with vegan foods.
An exchange of ideas was born with Fabio who says that he eats real meat and Ignazio tells him that he is only a skeptic.
A message arrives from Gianluca, who is following their live, and he says that in Abruzzo they will create vegan arrosticini (typical food made with meat) for Ignazio.
Fabio reports that friends in Miami have said that the C19 is spreading and both say that it was not taken seriously there.
While chatting, Ignazio comes to a contact with Red Ronnie, who asks him where he is and Ignazio confirms that he is in Bologna.
So they talk about the hospital in Marsala, to which Fabio made a donation and Ignazio also confirms that he will do it too and therefore communicates the data for the hospital.
They talk about Ignazio’s guitars that he brought to Bologna, and he admits that he is training.
Every now and then Ignazio has sweet tenderness with his beloved Arturo.
Then Ignazio and Fabio experiment with chords and songs simultaneously with their guitars.
Ignazio asks Arturo what song he wants to hear ….
Arturo stretched over Ignazio and he says to him: “Do you want to rest a bit? I am dad, not a sofa!”
So the first quarantine days of IL VOLO have passed, but there are many days to pass, but the important thing is that they are safe.
Here in Italy, the situation has worsened and I think the boys were shocked on their return.
But even this period will pass.
I also recommend to you, American friends, stay safe!
On August 16th, Piero received an award from his beloved NARO.
Let’s go in order:
This message was published by Piero, I translate the words:
On August 16th evening I will have the pleasure of dedicating time to my splendid NARO: being recognized and honored, from one’s native country, is an honor that is not at all obvious.
Here are the roots, here my story is born: the houses, the alleys, the faces, with which I grew up and of which I could tell a thousand stories.
At the moment, I will tell you only one, the affection I have for my country.
All Naro waits on the beautiful staircase.
Here is the moment of Piero’s arrival.
And here is the awarding of the prize, by the mayor, very proud of our Piero.
Mayor = Meanwhile I wanted to put the institutional band, even if it is wrong (Piero rushes to fix the band), to give the official status of the institution, the solemnity of this moment, to pay our affection, our gratitude, to a great, to an international star, which is Piero. (applause)
Considering that at this moment, I do not feel I am just the mayor of Naro and its 7500 inhabitants, but I feel like the mayor of all the Naresi (inhabitants of Naro) scattered all over the world.
So I make myself an interpreter, of all the Naresi, scattered around the world, to say THANK YOU to Piero, for the emotions he always gives us. I also greet all the friends of Canicattì who are here for Piero.
I will not dwell much, but I must tell you that I am particularly excited. You saw the first part of the video (before calling Piero, they projected a video dedicated to Piero ), well, that little boy was Piero …. (to Piero) I don’t know where your grandfather is … . (Piero indicates with his hand, on the stairway). Pietro, a big hug to Pietro, to whom a family friendship, of many years, binds me.
That mayor of 10 years ago, when Piero started it all, was me.
To give you the prize, I would like to call Magda. (Magda is a small child, new promising star of Naro, Piero goes to meet Magda and kisses her.)
With the hope that in 10 years we will be here again to celebrate even Magda.
Best wishes Piero. (kisses and hugs to Piero and delivery of the prize)
I was at Piero’s house, I saw, how many plaques, how many photos with “the powerful of the world” ….. Piero, but this is the gift of NARO !!!(applause)
One last thing and I finish, a memory, when they, in the theater of Taormina, dedicated the song to their mother, and he bowed and Eleonora, beat the song’s rhythm on his leg ….. Eleonora and Gaetano, thank you for what you you have done, for believing us, for the sacrifices you have made to make him a great man.(applause, a second awarding ceremony continues, during which Vincenzo Porrello gives Piero a special gift.)
And here is the video broadcast by local television. At the beginning Piero sings a beautiful song “NARO FULGENTISSIMA” (I think his grandfather composed it, during the video, while Piero sings, you can see his father Gaetano and his mother Eleonora, sitting on the staircase, near a white lantern.)
Mayor= For us it is a source of great pride, to celebrate 10 years of IL VOLO activity, but in particular, allow me, of our fellow citizen Piero Barone. A boy who is an international star, but who has remained a humble boy, has remained a boy devoted to his city.
I am the mayor of all the Naresi scattered in the world and for us, having Piero Barone this evening, who is the ambassador of the beauties of this city, but above all of the heart and love, of this city, can only make me absolutely happy.
Piero= My first thought, but I also think of all of you here, goes to the Bracco family, for the pain that struck them. (a young citizen of Naro, on vacation on the lake near Rome, drowned … applause).
The love I have for this country, and for our city, will never end.
Host= What do you feel for this city?
Piero= Naro, it’s me, it’s my blood. I grew up here, my whole story is here.
If it’s about my past, it’s all my grandfather’s fault, he gave me my passion for music.
When I was 8, it was he, my grandfather Pietro, who had me engraved, “UN AMORE COSÌ GRANDE”.
In one of those beautiful summer evenings over 10 years ago, my grandfather made my father hear that song, and from that moment, my father, stubborn as he is, every time someone came into the garage (he repaired cars), put me up on the bonnet of cars and made me sing either “GRANADA” or “UN AMORE COSÌ GRANDE”. I couldn’t take any more, every customer heard “GRANADA” or “UN AMORE COSÌ GRANDE”(Piero’s parents laugh).
In the same evening, there was the election of Miss Naro, and here is Piero photographed with all the participants.
Some shots of the evening, thanks to Il Volo Sicilia fanpage.
What a beautiful emotion Piero, to hear you sing that beautiful song dedicated to Naro.
And your words, for your city, fill every citizen with pride.
Bravo Piero !!
Daniela
Piero Barone with Nonno Piero Ognibene Singing “Naro Fulgentissima”
What I want to tell you today, can be considered a beautiful story, a modern history of our times.
It all started a few months ago, when IL VOLO announced that the expected US concert tour had moved from 2019 to 2020. 😢
Among the many sad comments, the one in particular that caught my attention was the comment from SUSAN, a member of the FLIGHT CREW, she was very sorry because with so much love and dedication, she had prepared a surprise to deliver to Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, during a meet and greet after their concert.
The surprise had been ready for a few months and Susan was worried because it would be at least another year that the puppets would be in her home and not given to the boys.
I exchanged a couple of comments with Susan and then we privately communicated with emails. Susan immediately made me aware of what this surprise was that she had prepared for IL VOLO…three beautiful puppets, with the features of Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca.
When I saw their picture, sent to me by Susan, I immediately thought, “They are really beautiful.”
Susan told me that she herself had made the design of these puppets, establishing measures, deciding their appearance and their clothing and arranging an internal function to be operated by a small button. Yes, because these puppets can also sing! Of course everyone has a different song – Gianluca sings “Can’t Help Falling In Love”, Piero sings “My Way” and Ignazio sings “Torna a Surriento”.
Susan personally followed the details and worked with a professional puppet maker to actually construct them, but always deciding on the smallest details such as Piero’s hat, Ignazio’s earring, an Italian soccer ball dog tag for each, ear buds for Gianluca, brooches (like Lardini’s) on the jackets’ lapels and all of the American accessories to welcome them to the United States for their concerts.Formidable a job well done and well prepared!
But Susan wanted the puppets to go to their masters, without having to wait another year. And so, together, we looked for ways to get them to come to Italy.
It wasn’t easy. The puppets were a nice size, three feet each. Every package had to be prepared very well in order to avoid damage, moreover the journey to Italy was long, so all the necessary precautions had to be taken.
And, someone here in Italy had to receive them.
Susan is a perfectionist, she did not want the puppets to arrive in Italy with untidy hair, and so she called her hairdresser to her house. The hairdresser was able to comb and apply mousse and hairspray, because the hair was made of synthetic fur.
Now they were ready!
Having overcome all these problems, the puppets started from the US, 🇺🇸 destination Italy. 🇮🇹
It had to be a fast and trouble-free journey ……… I said I had to, because of problems and delays there were so many, just say they had to arrive in a few days …….. and instead!!!!
How many problems, mainly due to customs, the puppets had to pass endless passages through the scanner and delivery delays, but then on the third attempt, and after Susan had spoken to UPS International Resolutions three times already, they were delivered after having been scanned 18 times during their journey!
Incidentally and by pure luck, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, at the time of delivery, were together and so all three were able to see their own personal puppet at the same time!
The boys were impressed by the beautiful gift, in particular the details used and the beautiful idea of Susan.
Everyone could have kept their own puppet, but it was a pity, because it meant dividing them and so they thought to keep them together by putting them in a common place: Naro’s HouseTeca.
The idea also appealed to Susan, what better place than that, which is visited every year by many fans? So they would be visible to everyone.
And then they left for another trip, but this time shorter and at the end …………. here they are, they arrived at their destination !!!!
This video demonstrates the happy ending of the story, here are the three puppets which arrived at their destination and were placed exactly under the banner of the victory of Sanremo. They seem right there to witness the beautiful victory.
Well the long journey is over and the three puppets have had a beautiful place of honor.
Susan, you had a fantastic idea. You had a lot of patience and dedication.
The boys will have been impressed by this gift of yours and we also want to congratulate you, for the good idea and for having followed the whole project with such dedication.
For info on the Panama youth day vigil tonight 6:30p Panama time and Mass tomorrow, scroll all the way to the end.
Yesterday on the official page of IL VOLO was published this beautiful message from our boys:
Hi #ilvolovers! We are almost ready! We promised you a 2019 full of surprises and start immediately!
On February 22nd our new album “Musica” will be released, and shortly we will communicate in the stories the link to the PRE ORDER AVAILABLE FROM TODAY on Amazon.
We are leaving for Panama, tomorrow we will sing for the Pope, the emotion is great and in these days we can not think of anything else, but as you know, we are preparing for another important event … Sanremo festival and we can not wait to present the single “Musica che resta” on the stage of the Ariston!
You are ready?
Yes, you got it right, the new CD, the CD of pop-lyric music, will be released on February 22nd. In it, is the new song that will be presented at Sanremo MUSICA CHE RESTA will also be contained.
For now you can pre-order on Amazon.
This will be a month full of events, the Sanremo Festival is getting closer and closer.
Meanwhile, the cities of our boys begin to encourage.
I LOVE NARO the city of the baroque, has published this post:
“It would be nice that all the Narese would share this post in the Facebook profile since our fellow citizen Piero Barone brings ever higher our beloved city of Naro.
Musica Che Resta is a song by Il Volo.
It is the song with which they participate in Sanremo 2019.
For the trio this is the second time on the stage of the Ariston, after the victory of Sanremo 2015 with Grande Amore.
The song speaks of a love and the strength it gives to move forward:
“Love hug me, I want to protect you, we are the sun on a rainy day, tonight hold me, kiss my soul, we are true music that remains.”
The text of Musica Che Resta was written, among others, by a great name of Italian rock music: Gianna Nannini.”
This is the beautiful banner hanging above the bar in the middle of the square of Montepagano !! The inhabitants of Gianluca are really nice.
Also this event was published: Tuesday, January 29 press conference of IL VOLO where they will exhibit their projects for the year 2019 and 2020 ……….. surely they also talk about the tour !!!!
But in the meantime our boys are certainly not resting.
Yesterday they left for PANAMA for the WYD event.
G = Just arrived at the Amsterdam airport, ready for this flight to Panama, about 12 hours, but it will be a magnificent experience. Follow us on this journey.
P = Boys, we are in Amsterdam, we will soon board the flight to Panama, because tomorrow we will sing in front of Pope Francis, for the World Youth Day. Hello.
(the sweet Barbara is always with them)
Ignazio: Hi everyone! We’ve just wrapped up the shooting of “Musica Che Resta” video.
Gianluca: This Saturday we’ll experience a great emotion because we’ll sing a very special “Ave Maria” for Pope Francis in Panama.
Piero: As you know, when we’ll come back in Italy Sanremo Festival awaits us, to sing for the first time our new song. We can’t wait to present you, let you listen our new single “Musica Che Resta” on stage at the Ariston theater.
In fact, two days ago the filming of the new video ended, little is known of it, but it seems to have been made in Milan.
G= We are recording the video with a great director, Mauro Russo.
MR = Come on Gianluca, you cannot say that we are recording the video, now we are not doing anything.
G = Look what kind. We are doing a masterpiece.
……. and there is someone who has a lot of fun, during makeup sessions….our Ignazio is too funny. 😂 😂
I am very excited! We will see the boys sing in front of the Pope and to thousands and thousands of young people from all over the world. Simply fantastic!
At 6:30 pm (Panama time) today, the vigil in Panama will begin and the boys may sing.
Sunday at 8.00 am (Panama time) there will be Mass, where our boys will sing the Ave Maria.
For those who want to follow the live streaming please try the link below.
PIERO BARONE TESTS TO GRADUATE. FOR THE ARTIST OF IL VOLO THIS MORNING FIRST ITALIAN TEST AT THE FEDERICO II OF NARO INSTITUTE.
Promises are promised and those made to parents must be honored and maintained. For this reason, this morning, Piero Barone, voice of the musical group of “Il Volo” at the age of 25 will sit between the benches of the technical and commercial institute “Federico II” of his country, Naro, to support the first test of Italian in field of the 2018 graduation exams. School that depends on the Institute Galileo Galilei of Canicattì led by the head teacher Professor Vincenzo Fontana. Objective of the artist from Agrigento, – as the newspaper La Sicilia writes today – obtaining the diploma of maturity in Administration, Finance and Marketing, address to which he was regularly enrolled, concluded the junior high school, but who had to leave to devote himself to music with tours and commitments that in recent years have brought him to every part of the world.
These days, those who know him well, told of Piero engaged in books and exercises. In short, struggling with a pre-exam tension like that experienced by millions of Italian students. But that morning, there is to bet, many tried to capture this event. Many would try to capture selfies, photos, dedications. However, it was necessary that the commission made sure that didn’t happen.
Piero did the first two written tests, then on Friday, June 22 he reached Sorrento for the Agnes Award and while he was in the car, he was studying for exams. Monday 25 he hd the last written test and then will have to do the oral exam.
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In fact, Piero has published on the official fan club a video where he talks about the exams, unfortunately the video and the translation cannot be published, otherwise I would have added it.
But the translation of the video to you I can give. Read it, it’s so sweet…..
Hi fan club friends, how are you? As you well know, this year among the work commitments, I managed to take the exams to take the diploma. I did the first two exams. At the first rehearsal, I made the topic about the Constitution, and I think it was fine. The second test, Business Administration, was much more difficult, but we did a team work with the class and we succeeded (maybe it means that the students helped him). Now I’m in the car, I’m going to Sorrento for the Agnes award, which will air on June 27th, and I’m studying for the oral exam. I’m going home in a couple of days for the third test, I’m getting ready for that too. Now I’m reviewing French but I do not understand anything (he says a sentence in French) is difficult, but I will, I will let you know. I to the oral test harbor “the collapse of the Wall Street stock exchange”, interesting. Well, bye guys, I’ll update you. A kiss!!
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But I don’t understand why I see you always active in the fan club? Every time I enter the fan club, it tells me that you are online to be able to chat. But I sent you two questions but you never answered, so I thought it’s not true that you’re online.
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What to say, Piero is an extremely kind person, sensitive, serious, and I would also say very humble.
I do not know how many people in his place, already famous, would have faced this type of examination, in a public institute.
Bravo Piero, I respect you even more.
I believe your parents will be very happy that you have kept your promise.
INTO THE MOUTH OF THE WOLF (GOOD LUCK): Daniela
“In bocca al lupo” (into the mouth of the wolf) is an Italian idiom used in opera and theatre to wish a performer good luck prior to a performance. It is equivalent to the American actor’s wish “Break a leg”. The expression reflects a theatrical superstition in which wishing a person “good luck” is considered bad luck.
Credit to owners of all photos.
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