Tag Archives: Piero

REMEMBER?

I know, now you need to hear them sing some more. Here’s what they sounded like in 2011.  You may have heard this song once or twice.  
By the way, take note of how many hits this video has garnered.  That’s right, over 30 MILLION! 

FYI, their Grande Amore Video has been viewed 86,744,137 times.  How’s that for three young guys from small Italian villages?

Have a great week-end all!

P.S.  update on the kid with the curls.

Detroit…Late ~ Marie

File this under, “better late than never”, but here is my story of the Detroit concert.  Everyone has described the season so well that my description will be pretty much the same…from breathtaking to heart-wrenching but here goes…

Instead of going to Florida this season to stay with Leelee and on to other spots sunnier than Ohio in winter, Leelee came to me for a fun week and to drive the 5 hours to Detroit and back. We checked in to our room, went downstairs and lo and behold!!  Guess who was staying at the same hotel?  What a surprise!  The Il Volo team!  Sitting in the lobby was Alessandra (what a doll), Elenora (another doll), our three young singers and a few more members of the team.  While we really do love running into them we really don’t want to be a nuisance.  We said a brief hello to each one of them.  They were very receptive.  Gianluca immediately jumped up and grabbed both of my hands.  He’s such a sweetie.  I asked him if at the meet and greet he would sign a photo his Nonno gave to me when I was in Montepagano.  He said he would.  Just basic hello’s all around and we left.

On our way to our room after dinner we once again saw the team.  They were trying to exit the lobby.  Their exit was hindered by an overly enthusiastic fan.  Noticing their escape attempt, we exchanged nods and smiles with them from across the hall.

The next day, the day of the concert, we had dinner with Rose Marie Paliobeis and Rosemarie.

This is a lovely empty box.

It wasn’t always a lovely empty box.  It was once a lovely box filled with delicious homemade Baklava.  Thank you, Rose Marie.  I can’t remember what happened to the Baklava.

While I’m in the thanking mode Thank You Jana, my adopted daughter, for booking us the most wonderful seats in the theater (and the sweet little gift).

Before, during and after the concert I was privileged to speak with a bunch of really neat people besides Rose Marie and Rosemarie, Betty Young (bubba), Sandi Eyman, Loretta, Lisa Joy, Gary Instok, Ginny, Chris Gapski, Bradley, Sharon, Stephen, and Katrina Angelus. I know there were others, but I’m pretty proud I remembered as many as I just did.

If you purchased a meet and greet these were your gifts:

An Il Volo Tote bag, I.V. mints, An I.V. deck of cards, a soft furry black carrying bag and of course, our VIP id.

The concert…

March 16, 2017 will be a date I’ll remember.  It was the day I switched from tolerating opera to loving it! There I was, front row left.  If I was any closer I would have sat on Gianluca’s foot. (Yay, Jana!)  Those Boys were smokin’ hot!  In both voice and appearance. But…you know that. You either saw and heard it for yourself or read it many times right here.

You think you’ll remember just how good they are, but no matter how many concerts you attend, you’ll always be surprised and blown away once again.  To say that I was moved by their performance would be a great understatement!

You all know, of course, that I am the very wrong person to write this.  The wrong one to tell you how absolutely wonderful they were.  So please take what I write with a grain of salt.  I am under some kind of magic spell.  I may not know the truth.  There is no objectivity in me.  Logic tells me they cannot be what I think them to be.  No one can possibly be what I think THEM to be.  Not only because most of my bucket list desires begin with words like Il Volo, Gianluca, Ignazio or Piero, but because my dreams aren’t even as good as seeing them live and in concert!  Weeping was in order.  I made it dry-eyed all the way to “Caruso”.

The Meet & Greet…

I had the opportunity to speak with Barbara before it was my turn to approach the guys. She said they indeed received our fruit and flowers and thanked us very much.

This time I practiced.  This time I will tell Ignazio about pizza with his sister, how lovely his home town is and that I spent some time with a friend of his.  If I remember, I will also tell him about staying in the same hotel he stays in when he goes to Naro.  He was the first one I came to.  I said, “hi”.  Couldn’t think of one other thing to say.  Couldn’t think of any words at all.  If I could only have remembered my name I would have at least introduced myself.  Damn!  I just stood there staring.  He has to think I am mildly retarded.  Maybe I am.  What’s wrong with me?  What am I… a crazed teenager?  Am I going to start screaming and tearing at my hair during the next concert?   So, once again, for about the 20th time, Ignazio met me for the first time and shook my hand.   *Sigh*   I moved on to Gianluca.  Gian’s greeting almost made me feel less stupid and a little less like I wanted to just be part of the scenery.  I said, “Hello Gianluca, I’m Mar…” He interrupted me with a big smile and said, “I know who you are.”  Yay!   We talked for a minute then he signed that photo his Nonno gave me.

Yes..I know it’s beautiful!

I was still speaking with Gianluca when my friend Piero gave me a shoulder massage. While I was pulling up my sleeves in abject bliss, (looking quite smug I see), the photographer thought it was a good time to take my photo.  The massage curled my toes and my perfectly straight hair.  Here’s proof. 😉

After that I only spoke with Piero for a few moments and was shooed off by security.

Yeah, meet and greet is expensive.  If the next one costs a thousand dollars I will pay it with a smile on my face.  Because next time I’m speaking to Ignazio!  Yes I am!

~Marie

 

Il Volo Professional: Amici!

Ciao a tutti!!

Hope everyone had a safe and blessed Easter!  There were many blessings sent forth from Kelly’s post!  🙂

There were several Instagram messages and FaceBook posts from the guys about their upcoming appearance on the fourth episode of “Amici di Maria de Filippi,” which aired on Canale 5 in Italy, on Saturday, April 15, 2017. (Thank you to Lisa Joy for posting it very quickly for all to see!)  This is another talent show in Italy.  This time, the guys were singing “My Way” for two competing male dancers.  It was a trio this time for this song and I thought the addition of Ignazio was incredible.  I loved the little jazzy softness he gave to the song and I always love when he goes for the high notes at the end.  They looked and sounded beautiful as always.

Although I did not dig too deep, I don’t know who won the dance competition?  My one friend said the guy in the white shirt should have won.  Maybe Daniela or Dani can fill us in?  🙂

For your listening and watching pleasure, here it is:

Thank you to Grazia Sabatini for some still shots from the program of  Ignazio and Piero.

A nice 4 picture arrangement of Piero!

piero amici

This has to be my favorite expression from Ignazio in this song!

igna amici

Although I did not see the same for Gianluca, I thought I’d add this one he sent us to wish us all a Buona Pasqua!  I didn’t think anyone would mind…. 🙂  On his Instagram, he said Erny took the picture – good job Erny!

gian

Take care everyone and be patient!  Their next concert is just a week or so away!

 

Ciao!

Jana

Il Volo Professional ~~ Carpool Karaoke and Then Some

carpool

I can’t believe this.  Just the other day, I was thinking about Il Volo appearing on Carpool Karaoke (the one in the U.S. hosted by James Corden).  Who knew that Italy is starting their own rendition of Carpool Karaoke hosted by Jake La Furia.  Guess who the first guest will be?  Well, our Il Volo, of course!!

xil-volo-a-carpool-karaoke-e1491900395529-740x349.jpg.pagespeed.ic.LDjy00o66P

If you have never seen Carpool Karaoke, I highly recommend it.  You Tube it, Netflix it, Google it…whichever way you can find it.  It is so much fun.  I know I’m hooked.

 

Matthew says: “You have 10 seconds to recognize these rappers.”

 

translation
P = Jack promised us that will be at our concert in Milan in the front row.
G = not wait
J = NNNNOOOOO

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in other newsPiero was interviewed by London One regarding their upcoming concert at Royal Albert Hall.  They are so excited.  Click on the yellow circle with arrow to listen to Piero.  It’s in Italian.  Read below for Translation by Daniela!

 

SUMMARY

Piero says they are excited to bring the Magic Night on May 23 at THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL which is the temple of music.
He asked how outweigh the anxiety before a concert and Piero replies that exceed thinking about all the people who came to hear their voices.
We talk about the Tribute to the Three Tenors  that are performed   when the boys were not yet born and the great thing is that Piero , Gianluca and Ignazio are young and then carry out the project also affecting younger age groups.
Piero does not deny that in the beginning as a group have also had discussions, but now are finding the meeting point.
 He says the classical repertoire is a passion that have all three and the Americans when talk about bel canto, refer to classical music.
Piero says that at first it was risky for them this kind of repertoire, but acquiring security have realized that with the commitment of the study everything becomes more manageable, also points out that it is the only way to bring young people, in fact now in Italy in the talent show they have included pop-opera category and this is a way to encourage young people in this direction.
Piero announces that on stage with them we will also Mario Biondi.
He says that after singing NESSUN DORMA and removed his tie, below are three carefree boys.
Singing with Domingo strong emotion.
You are asked what makes IL VOLO off stage and Piero says they do sports, go to the disco, in fact have already booked a disco after the concert at Albert Hall.
He speaks of respect for the fans because they owe their success to the support of the fans.
You are asked to Piero as is do interview without Gianluca and Ignazio, and he replies that is a beautiful thing because no break their interruptions.
It also says how important families at the end of a concert by 5/6 thousand people, retire to the room and call home, their loved ones even if not physically present they are spiritually.
Do not is all that glitters is gold and in dark moments there are always family members who support them.
The day of the concert Piero sleeps 10hrs, then three hours in the gym.
Piero sends a message to all fans, he says to continue listening IL VOLO and he loves us so much.””

 

We love you, too, Piero!!!  (and Gianluca and Ignazio, too).

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From Daniela:  The following is a link to an Italian article that reveals how you play the episode of AMICI.  You must know that AMICI is a program where kids who have been admitted will compete with the rehearsals and dance.  It seems that two dancers will compete accompanied by the music of IL VOLO

Here they are with Luis Fonsi who will also host the program.

Amici

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Final Note!!

If anyone is planning to attend the Vienna concert, it has been rescheduled from April 24th to June 28th.  Here is the announcement.

Vienna

That’s all the news that’s fit to print right now!

Ciao!

~~ Leelee ~~

Edgar Cortazar…Speechless ~ Daniela

Hello Everyone,

Perhaps you’ve already seen this message EDGAR CORTAZAR wrote MAS QUE AMOR.

These gestures make us realize how big they are, our kids, in this case Gianluca.

This has since posted Cortazar while in L.A.:

“I want to share with you that today I was speechless when one of the trio members with whom I shared so many recordings and experiences, since they were children, he found time to make me an unexpected phone call and invite me to one of the most important concerts of their careers, telling me that – thanks to songs in Spanish and English that I recorded for them – over seven years and more than 9 discs along with other composers – have achieved international success and today are presented alongside Placido Domingo at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Thanks Gian! Your humility is noteworthy! Thanks Il Volo!

It was a great honor to be part of your musical history with Mark Portmann.”

~Edgar Cortazar



Edgar Cortazar … a contemporary poet nominated three times al Latin Grammy, Latin Grammy winner 2006 as a composer of
Mexican Regional Song of the Year and winner of four awards during the BMI 2007, 2008 and 2009. 
More… https://twitter.com/EdgarCortazar1

~Daniela