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Concert Photos/Reviews

Nashville and Before ~ By Paula Elkins

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Thank you so much for this opportunity to share. I first heard of Il Volo in 2010. I love Andrea Bocelli and all things Italian. I was surfing the net and YouTube and stumbled onto a video of the competition that the boys were in-in Italy. Things went crazy from there. I loved them with all their boy-like sweetness-so humble. And what voices!! I could not believe my ears. I have followed and loved them ever since.

In October of 2012 I got to see them in concert in Louisville, Ky. What a concert!!! I could not afford a m&g ticket but I wanted to meet them soooo bad. I started asking questions of the security guards and anyone else I could find. I finally found out that if I would go down the alley behind the building, they would probably come out after a while. My husband and I did so (he is so patient and understanding). After a while they came out with sparklers in hand singing Happy Birthday to someone. They were so happy. I waited a little so as not to interrupt their fun. Then I told each one how marvelous they were and said I would like to ask them one question. They said “Thank you” and then asked, “What would you like to ask us, ma’am?” I asked, “May I be your American Grandma?” At first I don’t know if they understood, then finally they said “Sure!” !  Later I tried to say something in Italian, but was so excited I could not think straight. Someone called Barbara over and she said, “It’s ok ma’am. I can tell by your smile and eyes” She was so sweet. When we left my husband said he did not get a pic of me and Ignazio-the camera was full. I made him delete other photos from our trip and go back. Ignazio graciously let him take our pic. I said,“T’amo—no no “ Ignazio knew what I meant and asked with his sweet smile,“Ti voglio tanto bene?” I said,”Yes, that’s it.” He laughed. My husband thanked him and told them how special they were. Ignazio was so polite and said,“Thank you, sir.” Here are two of the pics.

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 Then I got another opportunity to see them with my husband and lovely granddaughter in Nashville, Tn. in June of this year. I again could not afford a m&g for 3-so I finally got and older gentleman that worked for the Schemerhorn Symphony House to take a note and pictures to them back stage. I had a note for each one re-telling about my Kentucky experience with them and pics. I asked each one if they remembered. During the concert I got my granddaughter to go up to the stage when Gianluca walked over to our side. She did and said she will never forget.

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He reached for her hand and said, “Hi there.” Then he kissed her on top of the head. I don’t guess she will ever wash her hair again! I could see stars in her eyes. On the last song I decided to make my way to the stage also (I couldn’t stand it any longer). Gianluca was there. He reached down and took my hand and said, “Oh! you are the lady that sent the note backstage.” I said,”Yes, did you remember me?” He said that he did. Then Piero came over and he recognized me from the pics also and said he remembered. I was on cloud nine. I could never get Ignazio to come over to that side of the stage. He was busy on the other side.

After the concert we waited by the gate for 2 hours along with other folks to see if they would come out. They eventually did and came up to talk. I told each one how exciting the concert was and what wonderful young men they are! I told each one that I loved them—not for their stardom or popularity but because of their spirit and kindness and humble attitudes. Gianluca said, “I love you too, ma’am.” I finally got to talk to Ignazio and said,”Listen, Ignazio.”I then started to sing “Summertime” by Porgy and Bess. He loves this song and started singing with me. Then it was all over –they had to go. I was high for weeks afterward—could not think straight for re-living it over and over. Thanks for letting my share my experience of a lifetime with you. Hope to meet some of you one day.

~~Paula Elkins

Concert Photos/Reviews, Gianluca, Ignazio, Piero

Carli in Nashville

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Hey, Everyone!
So, Carli is out of town this week, but sent her story because she is so excited to have us hear it.  I’m not going to say any more except that at some point during the evening, I’m guessing her father had a little moment of panic, because…well…he’s a father, and that’s what they do when it comes to their little girls…  😉  Enjoy!

Sing, My Angles Of Music

…There came the turquoise smoke with the first notes of “Un Amore Cosi Grande” and then, as a phantom, appeared Gianluca, wrapped in the swirling mists of light. The crowd roared. Then a few moments later, Piero, and then Ignazio, to the same lively crowd…
* * *
June 17th, 2014, the long-awaited day had finally come when I would set my eyes for the first time upon three boys whom I had come to love. The first pleasant surprise of the day was when I was at the store getting last minute things for Il Volo, and all of a sudden, What did I see? but red glasses! Not sunglasses with red rims and not reading glasses, but just stylish red glasses! I almost shouted as I said, “Piero Glasses”! They looked very similar to his older pair of red glasses, which I adore almost as much as the face that wears them. I had never found such a perfect pair, and they were a very good price! I was almost ecstatic! I would now have a pair of Piero Glasses to wear to the concert! Later my dad told me he saw Piero smile when he noticed me wearing them.
After we got to the venue, we went in to get my wristband and then walked around the building some. It was absolutely gorgeous! I was so excited and could not believe that this dream to see Il Volo was about to come true! Then–oh, I’m getting chills just writing about it!–We entered the concert hall… I just about started to cry!!! Then I saw my seat!!! IT WAS SOOOOO CLOSE!!! As I had not been able to make a sign before this, and I had brought paper and a few markers, I hurriedly wrote “Piero, Sing 2 Me” on it. I had this on my lap for much of the time. While I was waiting for the concert to begin, Jeannie, I think, waved at me and I waved at her, she also pointed to someone else, but I could not hear who she said. Sadly I did not get to meet her or any of the other Il Volo Flight Crew members there. I did were my badge though, and had a couple people ask about it, and I told them about you all.
The lady sitting next to me during the concert said that she heard that you were allowed to take photos, just as long as you didn’t use the flash. This was good news for me as I thought from what I had seen, that we weren’t allowed to during the concert; and I was already planning to try to sneak a few in, so now I didn’t have to sneak. I was able to get some pretty nice shots, although my camera batteries started to die part way through because I had forgotten to charge them. I stopped taking photos to save some battery for M&G.
So, the concert itself. As the band members walked on stage, the audience started clapping and chanting “IL-VO-LO, IL-VO-LO, IL-VO-LO…” We got so pumped up! It was great! And then, the lights went… off as our “flight” began. There came the turquoise smoke with the first notes of “Un Amore Cosi Grande,” then, as a phantom, appeared, Gianluca, wrapped in the swirling mists of light. The crowd roared. Then a few moments later, Piero, and then Ignazio entered to the same lively crowd. As they stood amidst the fairy lighting, it was breathtaking. There stood the loves of my life, who are among the people I adore most in this world, and there they stood right before my eyes.
Oh, how do I describe the concert? Words such as “phenomenal,” “sensational,” “stupendous,” and “breathtaking” really don’t do the job, but for lack of a better means of describing this event, I am forced to use such words. Only those who experience it for themselves can understand. Il Volo’s voices were out-of-this-world, especially Piero’s! I have to agree with everyone else that they sound even better and look even better in real life! I heard later that the Nashville Schermerhorn Symphony Center was either one of the best or the best venue for sound quality in the world! Ignazio did seem to have a little trouble with his voice, but not to much. The lighting crew was good too. Only once can I remember when Gianluca was singing in the dark. It was so cute, he was motioning with his had to have the light on him! They were endearing on stage, as always. I loved it when Ignazio played the drums during one of the songs. Later, while sitting on the piano, he kept turning on and off the light for the pianist! It was fun to watch them interact with the band members. It was a wonderful performance and there were several times I started to cry. It was a most stunning performance!
I was privileged to be on the front row and got a lot of interaction with them! I can’t remember if Piero or Gianluca responded to me first, I think maybe Gianluca. I threw him a kiss, and he smiled at me! But then… so yeah, I blew Piero a kiss, and he blew me one! I just about died! I can’t remember, but i think maybe he did it more than once. Several times he looked at me and smiled! In another song, I went up and touched Gianluca’s hand and kissed it. That was the first time I had ever kissed a guy, but I’m not sure if I want to count that exactly, you’ll see in a little bit why.
During “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You,” I saw Gianluca pointing to someone behind me, and I pointed to myself to see if I would get a reaction, and I did! He looked right at me and winked! There was also another time I got to touch his hand, I think. And then Ignazio! He was perched atop the piano, and I blew him a kiss, he blew one back to me! Then he shouted, I think to me, “What is that for?” I shouted back “BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!” Another time, Ignazio messed with Gianluca’s hair, and I gave Ignazio a disapproving look, and he scowled at me! Hehehe! I hope he took it in fun!
Anyways, I did save the best for last, and that is when Piero sang to me! He sang part of “Beautiful Day” to me! He came to the edge of the stage and held my hand in his beautiful hands and looked into my eyes and smiled as he sang to me! I stood there gazing into the most beautiful dark chocolate eyes that ever have looked upon this earth and sang along! When he was done, He kissed my hand, and I kissed his! Piero was the first guy to ever kiss me! But that’s not all! Later after he took a drink out of one of his water bottles, he threw it to me! (So I was really upset with myself later when I grabbed it instead of my own bottle, and took a drink out of it. I wanted to never open it after he had opened it and used it.)
It was such a marvelous night, and the wonderful crowd gave standing ovations for most or all of the boy’s solos, plus a standing ovation to at least one other of their songs they sang together, not counting the encores. Il Volo’s final exit was so cute, there were curtains that were opened at the end, and after the concert was done, the boys jumped down and behind! Like a perfect ending, if an ending of Il Volo can be perfect.
After the concert, we then headed to M&G. While waiting, I got to say hello to Barbara and Gianluca’s mother and take a picture with them. Gian’s mom and I both had on a red dress! She is so beautiful! I said, “Grazie” to her, and she said, “Thank You!”
So back to M&G though, I didn’t drool. lol. My mouth was so dry from all the screaming at the concert, and plus it was really warm were we were waiting to meet them. I thought that possibly it was so hot because the boys were there. But kissing was a different story. When it was my turn I ran and jumped into Piero’s arms, screaming “PIERO” while I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he wrapped his arms around me! HE WAS HOLDING ME!!! My feet were off the ground!!! I then started kissing his cheek like crazy! He was the first guy I kissed, if you don’t count me kissing Gianluca’s hand. I lost myself in his arms, and while I was kissing him, he was chuckling to himself! It was so adorable! He smelled so wonderful!
He asked “What is your name, What is your name?” in his sweetest voice, and I had to stop kissing him to say “Carli.” Then I motioned for him to kiss me on the cheek but he wouldn’t. I kept pointing, but he kept turning his cheek, maybe he wanted more kisses! I was getting a bit desperate. But then, the most memorable and magnificent thing happened! He turned his delightful face and looked at me with a kiss on his lips, and motioned for me to kiss him! Of course I could not deny such a wonderful offer request and… WE KISSED!!! He had initiated it!!!  I don’t really remember how it felt, the last think i do remember was going towards him to kiss him. And the best thing about it was that I wasn’t asking for that kind of kiss either, he asked for it! (he didn’t verbally, but you understand) Just being in his strong arms and seeing him look at me with his lips ready for a kiss is one of the most charming and surprising sights I have seen in my life. I got to touch his hair a little bit too! Then he put me down.
When I think back to this, I have a hard time believing that it really happened. I then said hello to Gianluca and touched his hair, and he smiled. We took two pictures, both of which only Piero was looking, (but he was smiling!) and then the M&G people were trying to get me out. I said I had not gotten them to autograph my shirt yet. They let someone else go next while i got my shirt for them to autograph. They signed it, and then I had to go. I was too excited to be stubborn about leaving. I didn’t even get to really say hi to Ignazio, and I didn’t get to give them the gifts I had brought, I had to give it to the M&G people. I hope the boys got it. Later I realized I forgot to give them the Nutella for Gianluca.
Although I spent most of all my time short time with Piero, and didn’t get to tell them what I had planned, it was well worth it! Piero is the most darling thing! Needless to say, I had the time of my life, and the sights and sounds of that magical night are forever etched in my mind! I can not wait until the next time!
Photos

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