You know how I love searching the archives for some old but wonderful stories. This week I found an amazing article by my friend Daniela Perani at Flight Crew. In November 2019, the guys went to Red Ronnie’s studio to do a long video interview. It was interesting, amazing, fun and absolute Chaos!
The interview lasted more than 3 hours. The guys approached it the same way they do with everything else, with absolute ease! They spoke! They played! They sang! No rehearsals, just live, with a lot of serious talk and laughter.
This story is so good because the guys paid homage and respect to their US fans. As Daniela said, I will show you the precise moment when I thought intensely about you and your joy in hearing and seeing this.
There are no words. No doubt about it our guys love the USA!
So, I came to the end of this article, and I said, “What do I call it?” What is it about? It certainly is about the guys just relaxing and having fun! It’s about a lot of chaos and a big mess! Sounds like a day in the lives of Il Volo! But above all it is about visiting their friend Red. So how about, A Night at Red’s Studio? So that’s where we begin.
Now I’m going to give you the same advice I’ve given you with other translated videos. Below is the complete video of the show. Read the entire article then watch the video. Much of it you will understand without translation. I’ve also included the individual song where I could. Some were not available in which case I used the video from another performance. All the songs are in the full video of the show.
This is the video. Daniela said, I, broadly speaking, will translate what was said. I warn you that at the beginning the voices are not heard because they were not on mikes and sometimes the video freezes, but only for a few moments.
The boys immediately feel comfortable in the studio, and they play and sing, but they make a big mess, none of them cares about the camera. Gianluca shows his cell phone to Red, Francesca is probably on the line, and in fact Red greets her by saying “Ciao bella”. And Barbara says the new studio is beautiful.
Michele also appreciates the new studio and tells Red he would like to be his partner, the two shake their hands.
Gianluca proposes to sing “Suspicious Minds.” This evening Michele has fun joining in on the drums.
Red launches an advertisement and tries to explain that they are live on many platforms but this fails because Piero enters and immediately starts to sing. Red says it is not impossible to do a program this way and Piero replies that it is the most beautiful thing in the world!
Red brings Ignazio’s attention to the jukebox with a ban sign that has Ignazio’s picture on it.
This is because the last time they visited Ignazio was fascinated by the jukebox. He unplugged it, plugged it back in, opened up the front was touching the record inside. He just couldn’t keep his hands off it. So now there is a sign that states “Do not touch! 😂
This is a video of Ignazio on their visit one year before making trouble!
The guys are attracted to a basket of organic products, biscuits and honey, and ask if they can eat (they have just returned from a dinner).
The woman who supplies the food is present.
Red says that Piero told him he was very tired, but he didn’t want to miss this appointment, because here, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca have fun, with some musical instruments, they are like three happy children.
Next they talk about Torpedine and Piero says, he is the fourth member of IL VOLO.
There is a great confusion, and the phone calls begin, nothing is understood and Red shouts and tries to get everyone’s attention.
Here I tried to use the video from the show but was not successful. Instead this is the video of “Somebody to Love from House Party!” You can see them sing it on the video of the show.
The boys sing “SOMEBODY TO LOVE” and then sit down and answer a few phone calls.
Next, they dedicate “POR UNA CABEZA” to a girl..
Everyone laughs because Ignazio drops the guitar and the CD advertising sign, a disaster.
So, Ignazio talks about a Sicilian singer he met as a kid and who is no longer here.
Red asks to promote their new CD, but none of them, not even Barbara or Torpedine, have brought a CD to show.
The boys perform the refrains of all the songs on the new CD.
Red reads some comments on Facebook.
And then the fun begins again with the guys singing. Ignazio starts by playing and singing a beautiful song by Gianni Fiorellino and then, “Tirichitolla”. Then they all sing “Tirichitolla”.
Red asks if he can retrace their 10-years with special moments and asks if they immediately agreed and Ignazio says no, because Gianluca was with a small group and not with them.
Gianluca joking and answering, he says that he is a prince and they (Piero and Ignazio), are the plebs. Piero, murmurs “….. a horned prince.”
The boys say that at the beginning they were successful only abroad, in Italy they didn’t do concerts, they knew them but because their songs were considered “old” they were not appreciated.
Red confirms, that even now, apart from the fans, here in Italy, they are still a little snubbed, by those who have “the stink under the nose.”
Ignazio says that in the musical field, being snobbish is a symptom of ignorance, because you can like or dislike music but it must all be respected. A person can say, “I don’t like it, but I respect.”
Gianluca replies that we are not all the same and if certain people think in this way, that they are free to listen to what they want.
Red confirms that Ignazio is right, because a person cannot buy a record of a singer that he doesn’t like, but if this singer is a reality appreciated by many people, he is an artist that must be respected. He also says that music can give or not give emotions, and they of IL VOLO, given the results, give many emotions.
Piero says that their music represents the Italian melody, but many are ashamed to show their Italian character.
Ignazio says that we should never be ashamed of the country where we live and says that they have felt the love for the Italian flag at Eurovision.
Red recalls that at Eurovision they were first with the votes of the public but were penalized by the juries. Ignazio says that after what happened to them, they changed the voting system at Eurovision.
Then they talk about all the shows in the US in which they participated, but always with simplicity. They remember the concerts with Barbra Streisand.
Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, eat biscuits and honey, Red is desperate.😁
Piero talks about the 100 concerts that will take place from 2019 to 2020.
They start a debate about who the critics are, and Red says that sometimes critics love a song but they would never admit it, because it would be like disavowing their words, because critics have good words for what they think can be good (even if they don’t like it).
Ignazio says that in Sanremo they were interviewed by all the journalists, except for one, who never called them, not even when they won Sanremo, because this journalist doesn’t really consider them, for stubbornness ……. (he is an overpaid journalist who works in the national television network, Ignazio does not say his name, but Red understands who he is).
Gianluca instead says he does not understand how some critics can still reject the evidence, Il Volo has made a great journey in 10 years, 24-year-old boys singing for Pope Francis in Panama, it doesn’t happen every day, and this reality has been ignored.
Red says he has never met such simple, funny and clean guys, like Il Volo.
The guys sing “Musica Che Resta”. I couldn’t get the copy from the show so I used the cover!
Ignazio gives advice to Michele and Red says that a boy wants to give lessons to a master, but Torpedine says that Ignazio plays the drums better than him and that he also has some very beautiful insights.
Ignazio wants to sing with Piero and Gianluca, but those two refuse and then Red asks Ignazio to play Pino Daniele. ❤️
After Ignazio, Gianluca says he would like to sing “Henna.” A beautiful song by Lucio Dalla (author of Caruso). Red explains the story of this song and Gian sings accompanied by Ignazio (it’s the first time they sing it and play it). ❤️
Piero says that his musical tastes, instead, lean more towards the lyric genre and he admits that during the tour in Japan he had the courage to sing “PORQUOI ME REVEILLER” from the opera Werter, in French (a pity we didn’t hear it). Red asks him if he wants to do it at that moment, but Piero says he needs voice warming, and also that it’s very difficult.
So, let’s listen to it when he sang it in Japan.
This is actually where they sang the Star Spangled Banner.
Calls continue to come in from all over the world.
This is an original version of O Sole Mio.
Piero sings “O SOLE MIO” in English / Italian version.
Then they play some rock and roll.
Other phone calls come in and Red is amazed at how Gianluca remembers all the girls.
Piero plays the camera man.
Piero says in Guatemala, while they were in concert, thieves entered their hotel and stole from the safe on the wall, which was in Piero’s room.
Gianluca says that every time they go to Guatemala, there is so much affection for them, on the part of the Guatemalans.
This is Grande Amore from Eurovision.
Red looks for Ignazio, who is talking to Torpedine, in the next room. Michele says they have to register “GRANDE AMORE” in English, because they had this request, for the English and American market.
In addition, Michele announces that they will be on a famous Italian satirical news program STRISCIA LA NOTIZIA on 18 November.
Red asks why they go to that news and Michele says it is to promote their CD, there is no hotel destroyed.
Red remembers that they had been interviewed about the story on that news program, due to the hotel being destroyed, and he asked Ignazio if it was true. Ignazio replies that they do not destroy hotels, they only destroy Red’s studio a little.
At this point, there is a very important moment, which definitively silences certain unjust attacks that are still done to the guys, on the question of the Swiss hotel.
Michele says, “It was so destroyed, that we won the case and then we gave that money to charity.”
Red adds that no newspaper wrote of this, they only wrote that Il Volo destroyed a hotel and not that they won the case and gave the money to charity. Michele adds that the newspapers say only what they want and never talk about the real things of the group and their successes in the world, they never write it, because it bothers them.
At this point the boys are attracted by a magnetic turntable, which has the disc plate that remains suspended in the air. Red is worried because he’s afraid they’ll break it 😁, Ignazio says he wants to have it.
Red asks Ignazio how they spend the money they earn. He replies that he bought a nice car and has a house, because it is important, even if they are away, to have a house to go home to and then he helped his family. He says that all three of them come from families full of feelings and emotions, but not economically speaking, so they helped their families, they allow themselves some things, but they are very responsible boys, who don’t do crazy things.😘
Red asks Piero the same question. Ignazio says that Piero is stingy. Piero says he is not, he says that all three are quiet boys, that they give value to money, because they all come from humble families, artisans, so they know the value of hard-earned money. Now they are lucky enough to be able to live thanks to the work they do, they are three very privileged guys who therefore try to help the people who need it most.
Ignazio says they are generous boys.
Piero confirms and says that they do not like to make it known, in fact Ignazio says that he was at the Santa Caterina (Hospital of Bologna). Red did not know it and says that it is right to tell these things, but Ignazio says that it is an act that he does for himself, not to make it known to others.
Beautiful things have been said, and Red says, that every once in a while, digging, a diamond comes out.
The interview which was made in total freedom, made so many people happy that they saw the guys of IL VOLO, in a different way. The phone calls that have come from all over the world, this showsthat Il Volo is really known everywhere.
Red then asks for them to return, and that they will be prepared to sing, with musical backing and Ignazio says they can come with their band. Red immediately wants to set a date before their departure in January.
Piero says that for Red they come willingly, and Ignazio adds that they feel at home there, an evening with friends.
Torpedine remembers its beginnings. Gianluca says that Michele sees himself in them.
Red sees the tattoos of Ignazio and one says SAUDADE (nostalgia) and Ignazio says, he is one who needs moments of sadness.
Red asks Torpedine to tell the difference between the first singers he has followed and Il Volo, and Michele says that he has been living these last 10 years big time, he has started breathing again and he says it to everyone, because the boys and their families are honest people and special and he notices this even when they are traveling around the world with the band and the crew, everyone wants to be with them, like a big family.
Finally, there are real relationships, they are serious, and then they play, but always with education, respect and gratitude. They consider Michele an important person.
Torpedine says that he and Renis, at the beginning, saw these child prodigies, but then when they grew up and their value was very well understood. Red asks to finish the show with a song.
Some more phone calls and Red is amazed because Gianluca remembers all the girls who are calling.
The last phone call is from Lucrezia, an Italian girl who at the concert in Rome, had a sign saying:
“I’m beautiful, I’m rich, I’m smart. Piero, want to marry me?” Piero in Rome, he was joking and answered yes!
Piero remembers everything and now asks her if his two friends (Gian and Igna) are good as witnesses and Red can sing the Ave Maria. 😁
Gianluca shows Red the photo on his cell phone, a vegan breakfast and Red says he and Piero are planning a wedding and Gian shows him a breakfast? Red says these guys are crazy.
Piero dedicates the last song to Lucrezia: “Grande Amore.”
Gianluca confirms that another evening will come, with the whole band, and will prepare and perform their songs.
Red asks them to set the date for January 13th. They perform, “GRANDE AMORE.”
Red gathers all three for the final greetings. He takes Ignazio’s cell phone and sees that his mother, Caterina, sent him a message that Red reads: “You are all wonderful, I love you, my little one.” Then Ignazio shows the picture of his Arturo and says he lives with him, but now he is in Sicily, because they are always abroad.
Piero is very tired, sleeping on his feet, and Red calls his father Gaetano who is there with them. Gaetano is a very shy person and of few words. Red asks if Piero has his head mounted and Gaetano answers, absolutely not, then he says he lives in Naro.
Red asks for a close-up of the faces of Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca, to show how tired they are.
Final greetings and thanks.
The boys say, “A big hug to Red” and they all throw themselves at Red. ❤ 🤗
This was a totally, awesome, improvised interview. The guys are a natural!
So, we come to the end of A Night at Red’s Studio. Between the chaos and the mess, we find a very sincere interview about where the guys were in the first ten years together.
Again, I wish to thank Daniela for this wonderful translation. Because of Daniela we always know what’s happening in every interview the guys do!!
Happy Memorial Day from me and the Guys to the American fans!
Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and open the door to a new adventure!
The following morning, the video, was published by Red Ronnie, who had many beautiful words for IL VOLO.
“What a night last night, we finished at 1:00 a.m., I went to sleep at 3:00.
It was incredible, to say that guys are happy, that is to say the least.
We have reached an impressive number of people around the world with this live.
We have demonstrated the incredible popularity of Il Volo.
What happened, it was fantastic, also because we had fun.
Everything was out of control, everything was spontaneous.
This morning I saw only the beginning and I had to force myself to stop, because I would see everything again, for how beautiful it was.
I’m very tired.”
He says that the January date is not confirmed but Monday he will go to dinner with Torpedine and they talk about this.
Red states that you cannot know what it’s like to do a live like last night, because it was a completely improvised program, so you had to adjust the microphones every time, but it was wonderful.
Red confirmed that it was incredible yesterday with Il Volo, something amazing, fantastic, they will repeat this experiment.
If you would like to share a story with me, please email: susan.flightcrew@yahoo.com
To read more Il Volo stories visit us at www.ilvoloflightcrw.com.
There’s a lot of news, new and good news every day, but there’s also a nice phone call between Red Ronnie and Piero Barone, which I’ve translated for you!
The video begins with Red Ronnie reading a fan’s request:
FAN= When do you invite Piero Barone from IL VOLO, to bless your show? (Then Red Ronnie takes the cell phone and calls Piero.)
RED RONNIE= Let’s hear from Piero Barone, if he answers me.
Piero Barone (he repeats Piero’s name several times), let’s hear if he answers me, let’s hear from Piero Barone of Il Volo.
Carmen Rosa (that’s the fan’s name), I try to find Piero Barone.
PIERO= (Piero replies to Red) Hello Red.
RED RONNIE= So Piero, you’re live on line!
PIERO= What happened? Who are we on line with?
RED RONNIE= I don’t know, there is a Carme Rosa who writes: “Ronnie, when are you inviting Piero Barone from Il Volo?”
PIERO= (he laughs) Say hello to everyone, right now.
RED RONNIE=Where are you? (He means Il Volo)
PIERO= We are now in Italy, we are preparing for the tour in South America.
RED RONNIE= And when are you leaving?
PIERO= We leave in less than two weeks (this video was made more than a week ago).
RED RONNIE= Ah, wow guys!!
PIERO= We will be away (abroad) for a couple of months.
RED RONNIE= Damn, but things are going well for you, I see you from all sides, you’ve been to America…..
PIERO= This year we are working hard, we had a good tour, now South America is missing, and since it is a fairly demanding tour, we have decided to dedicate the first part of the year to all of South America.
You’ve been there, I guess?
RED RONNIE= Yes, in South America, I’ve been to some countries, Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile … oh yes, even Colombia.
PIERO= This year we’re going to all these places you mentioned.
RED RONNIE= Wow, that’s cool guys!
PIERO= Yes, yes. Are you okay Red?
RED RONNIE= I’m fine. Listen Piero, a curiosity, ok, you travel the world, but do you have time to enjoy the cities you go to or not?
PIERO= But, it depends. Luckily, I personally have a passion for running, you know I like running marathons, so I take this opportunity to try to combine the two, visiting cities and running. So when I arrive in a city, I go down to the hotel lobby, to the concierge, and I get the itinerary, the route to visit a little, clearly not everything, but in 10 – 15 km you can visit a lot in a city. Then, when you’re on tour, you always have to preserve your voice, and it also depends on the climatic conditions you find in the places. But when we can, we all take the opportunity to visit the cities. This year I have to tell you that I was fascinated by Sydney, Australia, we spent three days there and we got to visit it, it was amazing. Then in South America we already know most of the countries, but clearly they are missing, for example I have never been to the pyramids in Mexico (Machu Picchu), that is one thing I miss, one day I will be able to go, but we have to organize the voyage. When you’re on tour, yes, we can see, but not like real tourists.
RED RONNIE= Well, the pyramids are beautiful, I’ve been there starting from Tolon and I went up, you know, there’s a lot of magic.
Do you know what? I have yet to edit the interview, but I hosted a friend of mine, a Unesco executive, with the director of Machu Picchu.
PIERO= But did you see what happened this year there in Machu Picchu? They had to close and some tourists were locked inside, a very particular thing happened, now I have to look into the matter, but a tour that I would love to do is Machu Picchu, Bolivia, all those strange places … the sea or the lake of salt? There’s that place there, help me…..(he means IL SALAR DE UYUNI in Bolivia).
RED RONNIE= Look Piero, if we organize… apart from that, finding one of Il Volo free is impossible……..but if we organize, we go to Machu Picchu with Unesco and with the director and then we can stay the night where no one can stay.
PIERO= But maybe!!
RED RONNIE= Then there are other sites where tourists cannot go, such as Abiseo (Rio Abiseo- Peru), there are the curanderos (natives of Peru) and we can take a tour like this.
PIERO= Yes, but we have to document them, because ok, tourists can’t go, but we have to show these places.
RED RONNIE= But listen, have you ever seen me without a camera?
PIERO= But, in fact. I was looking at your images these days, when you went to Ireland with Pavarotti to interview U2, you were wearing a yellow jacket, if I’m not mistaken….
RED RONNIE= Exactly!
PIERO= I saw those images, a couple of days ago, and I thought: “But look Red what a great experience, what a great honor he had to be among those people, I remember Pavarotti on your left, by the way you had made the trip with him, and then U2, I shiver just thinking back and imagining what did you try.
RED RONNIE= But think Piero that I had in my program, to tell you the important things…I had an international group that was messing around, they are called Il Volo, I don’t know if you know them.😁😁😁
You think I had them in my program screwing around.
PIERO= (he laughs) But in reality we are like that, you know us. First we went to dinner, then we remembered that we had a program to do….(laughter)
RED RONNIE= Yeah, and think there was some asshole in that group who broke my juke box, and look it’s still broken. 😁 (Red says it with nice and playful irony and laughs, he refers to Ignazio) .
PIERO= Ignazio, Ignazio. I ask you to point this out!!
RED RONNIE= Ok!, but where are you right now? Italy, but where?
PIERO= Right now I’m in Sicily, I’ve come to visit my family.
RED RONNIE= Ah, nice!
PIERO= Because you know, I move according to the climatic conditions, now in Sicily there is an incredible climate, I must tell you that today I also went to the beach, I didn’t swim, but I went to the beach to get some color, some vitamin D.
RED RONNIE= Well look, maybe one day we’ll make a connection since you’re always on the go now.
PIERO= When you want, indeed, I’ll send you some videos from South America.
RED RONNIE= Good, but have you already made the videos, or do you have to?
PIERO= No, now that we go on tour.
RED RONNIE= Well, then make some videos, then maybe I connect with you one evening for me, afternoon for you in South America.
PIERO= Gladly, it’s fine.
RED RONNIE= OK!
PIERO= Write to me whenever you want. Red a big hug, greet me all, indeed I greet all the listeners.
RED RONNIE= Look, everyone here says hello. (Red reads some messages from the PC).
There is a question, “Have you ever seen the Northern Lights?”
PIERO= No, we lack that. Because that is a particular trip that you have to organize in time, there is a period of the year, you have to go with local people, so you know very well how our calendars work, it’s all really complex, it’s complicated to be able to plan this trip. But there are two trips that I would really like to do: one is going to see the Northern Lights, but above all, the trip of my life will be Vietnam-Tibet.
RED RONNIE= Damn!
PIERO= This is something that sooner or later I will do in my life.
RED RONNIE= Well, in Vietnam I have no connections, but in Tibet yes.
PIERO= That is, after me, do you call a Tibetan monk?
RED RONNIE= (He laughs) No, but I have connections with the house of Tibet in Italy, and therefore, maybe we can……let’s see, let’s see….come on, we promise to go on a trip together, I would start from Machu Picchu and Peru, those places there.
PIERO= And go and see the salt lake on the internet…..
RED RONNIE= The salt lake, they wrote it to me first, let me see where they wrote it to me…gosh how many messages….
PIERO= I think it’s in Bolivia.
RED RONNIE= His name is Salar de Uyuni.
PIERO= And where is it?
RED RONNIE= And what do I know, I found out from you.
PIERO= (he laughs) I can’t believe it, I’m sending you images on video because a dear friend of mine went on that trip and sent me photographs, they look like surreal realities.
RED RONNIE= Ok, the Earth is beautiful, we have to defend it, Ok? (Red is a convinced green)
PIERO= Absolutely!! Red big hug.
RED RONNIE= Bye, bye Piero.
PIERO= Good night everyone, bye.
LATEST NEWS
Today, February 17th, as announced by Il Volo, a particular EP of ten songs is being released, completely intended for the public of Spain, Latin America and the United States.
Ten beautiful songs by Latin artists, sung in an excellent way by our Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca.
Here are the titles of the 10 songs:
1 PERDONAME 2 ABRAZAME 3 TAN ENAMORADOS (feat Ricardo Montaner) 4 QUE SERA’ DE TI 5 LA INCONDICIONAL 6 NO ME DIGAS QUE TE VAS 7 OTRAS VIDAS 8 ELLA/SI NOS DEJAN 9 COMO VAI VOCE 10 TAN ENAMORADOS
For those who want to listen to them on Spotify, this is the link:
Furthermore, a new television program on Canale 5 hosted by Michelle Hunziker (she also presented House Party) was announced. The new program is titled: MICHELLE IMPOSSIBLE, Il Volo should be a guest in the episode of Wednesday 22 February, but we will keep you updated.
In addition, new dates continue to be added to the next tour. Yesterday two dates were added in Bulgaria also, and soon our loved ones will leave for the long South American tour.
A really busy schedule, our young men don’t get a moment’s break, and soon, very soon the concerts will start. Who knows which of you will be lucky enough to be able to go and see them…..but don’t forget, whoever goes, let us know your impressions!!
During the period of the Christmas holidays, Il Volo was a guest in several television and non-television programs.
We start with their presence on the evening of the eve (recorded previously) in a television program in Spain called “Viva la Fiesta :Nochebuena” broadcast by Telecinco.
Il Volo performs “SE” from Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (video sync is not perfect).
Please click on the image below to view the video.
Really sweet this song and our boys, what about pure elegance.
On the same evening , Il Volo is in Montecarlo, for a private event.
We have news of this event from the photos that Gianluca and Piero have published, unfortunately we do not see anything of the event.
But here we are at the most beautiful part of the evening.
After the Mass celebrated by the Pope, greetings from Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero are broadcast on RAI1 and, from the Frasassi caves, the sweet song: O Holy Night.
GIANLUCA = The most beautiful things in life are not that far away, they are close to us, they are within us.
IGNAZIO = I am inside this magnificent place that never ceases to enchant us.
PIERO = We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Please click on the image below to view the video.
Fantastic. Finally we have been able to see another piece recorded in Frasassi.
This song always causes me shivers of emotion, the voices are wonderful, our young men are very elegant, and the place is enchanting, despite the low temperatures, you will have all noticed the puffs of breath during the video. ❤
Il Volo then delivered their vinyl record to some friends as a Christmas gift, and some of them thanked by publishing these photos and comments:
This was published by MCN Studio 17, the recording studio in Sicily where they recorded Ecstasy of Gold.
MCN Studio 17 had write this beautiful words:
“A year ago we had the privilege of being able to host in our studio, the beginning of this epic musical adventure, of the three golden boys of Italian bel canto, Piero Barone, Gianluca Ginoble and Ignazio Boschetto, who with polite simplicity have demonstrated their artistic and human greatness. Today we receive the fruit of this meeting that we will never forget. Thanks ilvolomusic always go ahead.”
Please click on the image below to view the video from Saturino.
This video was published by Saturnino Celano, (he is a well known Italian musician, and also a producer and composer), here is what he says:
“Hello everyone, I wanted to show you one of the most beautiful gifts ever received, really never received, ever since I started attending the wonderful world of music, this is a truly amazing gift.
Look what I received today, complete with dedication, from Ignazio Piero and Gianluca, amazing double vinyl, look how wonderful, and to do justice to this work, which I had the honor of listening to while they were recording it. (He shows the photo of the internal disk) Look what a sight. (he shows the red vinyl and puts it on the turntable (Ecstasy of gold begins).
Thank you very much, thank you very much, thank you very much !!!
(He plays the start of Your Love and greets a friend live.)
Il Volo Sings Morricone, complete with dedication and autographs. Really wonderful, I recommend it at all, and thanks again to Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca.”
This was published by Red Ronnie (very famous Italian TV presenter, his is the Barone Rosso and Roxy Bar programs).
“I got this wonderful gift from the guys of Il Volo: Il Volo Sings Morricone, look!
Yes, dear guys, but we said to ourselves that you were coming to the Red Baron, clearly the jukebox is there, still broken, (Ignazio broke it), so Ignazio is armored, but I’m waiting for you. Thank you!”
The video above was published by Saretto of the Bam Bar in Taormina.
And this from Antonella Clerici, the one who presented them in 2009 in Ti Lascio una Canzone.❤
Gianluca also sent this sweet message:
“I want to send a special greeting to all the children of the AGBE (Association of Parents for Homopathic Children) and their families.
Unfortunately I wanted to come and see you, but my work commitments did not allow me to be there with you. But I send you many wishes for a Merry Christmas with the hope of hugging us again soon and that this situation will improve soon too.
Hello to everyone, I love you and see you very soon.”
Unfortunately, there was also sad news, such as that of the passing of the singer of Il Divo and their dear friend, Carlos Marin. R.I.P.
Reposted from @ilvolomusic. It hurts our heart to hear this news. We have lost a beautiful soul and a wonderful voice that will live forever.
Our deepest condolences to your family and friends.
Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero then published their Christmas greetings, in three different languages:
English
Spanish
Italian
Really many commitments and all fantastic, but there is still one more, a long interview with the RAI1 television program Domenica In, aired on December 26th.
But for that, there is a long translation and you have to wait a little longer.
Only one week until Christmas and so much more to do! It seems to arrive so fast and, we always think not enough time! But over the last two years, it seems time is all we have! We started last year in fear and then hope because there was a vaccine coming and then we thought now it will be over but, no not yet. And we find ourselves saying but WHEN!
Through it all, there was one constant in our lives ~ Il Volo!
I started writing my articles back in March 2020 because I realized that the fans were truly concerned about these three young men. They worried about them going home to Italy where we were hearing horror stories about Covid and how it was killing people. So, everyone went into panic mode. It seemed their departure was so sudden. They turned off the lights and went home!They canceled their last three performances and the next thing we knew they were on their way home. But being true to form, what did they do? Like good sons, they checked in with us as soon as they got home and told us they were safe and, they needed to be with their families now.
Let’s go back to the part about the fear. Remember when we first heard about this pandemic. It was all about Italy. Being the good fans we are, we wanted the guys to remain in the states and to be safe. Little did we know that soon, none of us would be safe but, our first concern was for the guys!
When they suddenly went home it really got to us! Absolute fear! What was going to happen to the guys. And we prayed, let them be safe!
And then the first statement from Gianluca on his way home from Fiumicino airport….
After two months of touring the United States, I went back to Italy, in a few hours I will be home again.
I remember when I was leaving home, they said to me “You will see that time flies … then, nothing ever happens here.” Instead, while I was not there, things did happen, even if I did not realize the situation because I was far away and busy. Then, a few days ago when Conte (Prime Minister) spoke nationally it was something unexpected that deeply touched me. At that moment, homesickness assailed me and, I suffered at the thought that our country, the most beautiful of all, was going through such a critical period.
Today we live in a historical period that we will remember for a lifetime. These strong emotions, fears, hopes … we will take them forever with us, but the next time we live what we took for granted a few days ago, we will do it with another conscience, and it will have a completely different flavor. The taste of something that has not been given to us since birth, but something that we had to take back through the renunciations to which we are called today.
I stay at home with my family, do it too and think about when a hug is worth it, because I came back after two months spent outside, and I can’t hug those I missed.
After Piero’s return to Naro….
Hi friends, sorry if I only write now but it took some time to realize everything that’s going on. I came back yesterday from the United States, we were there since January and believe me that we didn’t get a chance to fully understand what was happening here in Italy. We had the full perception of the emergency just a few days ago and we made the decision to stop the final part of our American tour to return to Italy before all the airlines closed. In these weeks between concerts, we met tens of thousands of people, and before returning to Italy we were informed about the precautions to be taken. Currently in voluntary isolation, I am here at home, in my own country, with all the necessary comforts. I think I’m lucky for this. I have taken on this responsibility and will pass my quarantine without seeing my parents, grandparents, only with the purpose of protecting them. All of this has made it easier for me to see the reaction of my city, Naro, united right now, with a punctual administration in the information it gives to the citizens. I therefore say to my friends, to those who follow me and anyone who reads these few lines: everyone stay home and, follow the WHO information. To face all this looking into perspective because sooner or later it will all pass. And if we stick to these rules, it will pass faster. See you very soon, Piero
In an interview with Red Ronnie, Ignazio talked about what happened on tour and why they went home….
Red: Listen Ignazio, let’s start from Il Volo, how did it go in America?
Ignazio: It went very well, we were lucky enough to bring the tour almost to the end, we only canceled three concerts. Without talking about what happened in the end, we had a lot of fun, because it was already a year and a half, two, that we were not in America, and it was nice to go back for the 10th Anniversary, because we celebrated 10 years. However, we are used to taking nothing for granted, and receiving people’s affection in that way, after 10 years, has been surprising.
Red: And after that you came back, you had the greatest contrast, a tour in America and then quarantined in the house.
Ignazio: Think what luck! (ironic).
Red: It went well because you have almost finished the American tour.
Ignazio: We canceled the last concerts, when the decree arrived, which canceled flights to and from Italy, we looked each other in the eye and said to each other, we have people who work with us who have families, small children, and so we made a serious decision to go home. And that was it!
Red: How many dates have you canceled?
Ignazio: Three
Red: And how many dates have you had?
Ignazio: About twenty.
And so that was how the guys went home!
Ironically, what we feared for the guys reached our shores and they started to pray for us.
What did we learn from this experience? They love their families and needed to be with them at that time and they were concerned for the people who work for them! They also love their fans and they worried about them during the pandemic. These fans are their family too! They grew up with the fans and spent many holidays with them. For many of the fans, these young men are their family, and in some cases the only family they have. Family isn’t only blood; family are the people who are there for you every day! The people who make a difference in your life!
One thing we know about these guys is they love their fans and when they are way from them, they miss the fans as much as the fans miss them.
My Office
Thanks to Fabio Ingrassia’s fabulous work I get to share my office with the guys!
I get emails and comments from people every day telling me how much the guys mean to them. They tell me stories about losing loved ones and how the guy’s music helped them. Or going through a serious illness and their music soothed them. The fans tell me that they are like family. Some even tell me that their families think that they spend too much time listening to their music and talking about them. They have pictures in prominent places in their homes and some children think that it is not appropriate.
One woman had the best answer for that. She has a picture of the guys on her dresser in her bedroom and one of her children asked why do you have a picture of strangers on your dresser and not a picture of me? The woman answered: “I have to make appointments to see you and when you visit, you’re always in a hurry and you never want to do anything to please me. These three young men spend every single day with me. They sing to me, and their concerts give me such pleasure. And when I go to their concerts, they make me feel like I am a member of their family.”I guess she answered her question!
And then there are those people who wish they had family. These people tell me they have no blood family, but they do have a family. They have three sons or grandsons. And they love each of them with their whole hearts because of the pleasure they bring them every day.
These young men are not like any other entertainers you will ever meet. For entertainers it’s all about them! It’s not about what the fans want, it’s about what they want. Think about when the guys went home last March. They may have left the states, but they never left our sides. They were on Instagram and Facebook every day. They sang for us and encouraged us and let us know about everything that was going on in their lives. And they sang to us when they knew we were in trouble! That’s what people do for the people they love. They care!
Let me go one step further to prove how much they care.
In their book Un’avventura Straordinaria, in the last chapter they tell the fans what they really mean to them. Let’s listen to what they had to say….
When they asked us to write this book, our first thought was “Finally,” finally we can tell the truth. In a three-minute interview you cannot tell a life, but in a book yes. And here’s what we tried to do in these pages: telling our true story.
Which is a normal story, of three guys like many who had a great passion and were lucky enough to be able to transform the passion into what today makes them live and makes them famous.
Being successful is beautiful, it would be stupid to say no after we have so dreamed and desired, but you need to quickly understand something, and that is, that it is not only our merit.
The people who follow us have a large part of that merit.
And knowing it, it is what gratifies us the most.
It is wonderful to know that we have managed to our emotions with those who listen to us.
That’s why we work, and that’s why we try to give everything when we sing, we live in a concert or recording studio. And that’s why we do our work always with the maximum of passion, so that we can create what for us is magic, the magic of emotion that passes from our voices to people.
Fans are the reason, the only real explanation of what happened to us from 2009 to today, of records, of tours around the world, of the victory at Sanremo, of what we are finally living in Italy.
During a concert we would like to embrace all the people before us one by one, we would like to be able to say, “Thank you!” with our voices to all. And we want to thank them if we are in the studio to record, if we fill the halls in concerts, if we are in the charts, if we go around the world.
They are our everything!
But for sure, for all we have done so far, let’s say thanks to those who have followed us. And we will continue our great adventure together! Goodbye for now! PIERO, IGNAZIO and GIANLUCA
So, though we are apart, they are always in our hearts, and we are in theirs!
At this time of the year people are rushing around to get their shopping done and make preparations for holiday meals! To those people who have no family to shop for or cook for, I want you to know you do have a family, it’s Three Amazing Young Men and they and all the fans love you as much as you love them! You are never alone! The guys are as close as the next song you listen to or the next concert you watch!
Join me next week as I go back Through the Fields of My Mind and take you on a Christmas Journey to Italy!
Note: Did you notice the three solos I used for the guys were songs that they sang at Radio City Music Hall on February 6, 2020. That was the last time I saw them but, have no fear, guys, I will be there on March 18, 2022! The first of the five concerts I will attend!
Saturday 19 June, on RAI 2, a beautiful interview made with Il Volo, in the FELICITÀ (Happiness) program conducted by Pascal Vicedomini, was broadcast.
The RAI press office only notified us the day before this interview, so few knew, but surely the videos have already been published on all Facebook pages (what we fans can do) and therefore, I bet you’re wondering what our guys said, so here’s the video and the translation.🤗
I warn you that it is a very long interview, but very interesting, and therefore I will proceed by dividing it into two parts.
So here’s the first part, up to 27:03.
PIERO = Happiness for me is every day. Because I found that inner balance. In the particular year we lived, I took advantage of it, thanks to the people who support me, like my family and friends, and I found that inner balance that makes me enjoy life. I enjoy life every day.
PV = What is happiness for you? (to Gianluca)
GIANLUCA = I believe this certainly – the support of the family, do what you love, live from your passion, make it a job, and be serene, feel good about yourself.
Happiness is a moment. The moments of pain help you to face life, to form that armor that allows you to face life in the best way. That inner serenity is surrounding yourself with people that allow you to be a better person.
PV = For you, Ignazio?
IGNAZIO = Happiness, in the end, is just a word.
Surely as they say, feeling good about yourself can be a cause for happiness, but the most important thing is to create it, and it’s very subjective, I think.
(start the theme song of the program)
PV = Happiness. But who is happier than me today, who are together with three ex-kids, whom I met who were really at the beginning and have become international stars: Ignazio, Pietro and Gianluca.
PIERO = Piero, Piero (Pascal said Pietro).
PV = Piero, sorry, sometimes I make a mistake.
PIERO = Pascal, we are very happy anyway.
GIAN= But the grandfather’s name is Pietro, so you paid him a compliment anyway.
PV = (to Piero) But do you celebrate St. Peter and Paul? (the name day).
PIERO = Yes, of course.
PV = So, it was a little mistake.
GIAN = You knew us as children, now we are almost men … almost men.
PV = And what guys, three young music legends, three seducers …
GIAN = Indeed ….. but all these compliments ….
PV = I almost feel like an intruder in your world
IGNAZIO = We met, really at the beginning of our journey. (career)
In Los Angeles, right?
PV = How not !!
IGNAZIO = We shared those moments, even a little strange for fourteen-fifteen-year-olds, being in parties with the biggest stars in the world.
PV = I remember, guys, they arrived in Los Angeles and were immediately catapulted into a mega galactic party, greeted by: Schwarzenegger, Sean Penn, Puff Daddy, Quincy Jones, Beyoncé, Cindy Crawford …
IGNAZIO = Cindy Crawford I remember her well!
GIAN = I remember her too ….
PIERO = The particular thing, do you know what Pascal was? To go home and tell our friends what we had experienced, and it was impossible (because they would not believe).
PV = Those are the first moments when you begin to understand that something is changing.
(the video of the Sanremo victory starts)
PV = (voice) Gianluca Ginoble, Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto, aka IL VOLO, three young excellences of contemporary bel canto in the world, three constantly evolving talents, who have already seduced the audiences of many countries far and wide for the planet.
Three guys put together to break through the myth of the three tenors par excellence: Pavarotti, Carreras and Domingo and who in some way are keeping up with the expectations of the many people who believed in them, from the very beginning.
Three brilliant witnesses of pure Italianness that strikes, fascinates and seduces, so much so that it gradually becomes a global phenomenon.
Three witnesses of the restart of the music industry and of the Italian live entertainment, and who recently seduced the national television audience with the record concert at the Verona Arena, in homage to maestro Ennio Morricone. Event that arranged them in a good mood, on the occasion of our “reunion” between friends.
PV = Ignazio, when did you realize that your life was changing?
IGNAZIO = But maybe we haven’t noticed today yet, because fortunately, and I say fortunately, we live things with simplicity, always trying to put music, our passion, in the foreground.
Then, it is normal, there are many responsibilities, we are no longer kids, where there is the novelty of three kids who have an important voice, an adult voice, so now is the time to work, to develop new ideas. With our manager Michele Torpedine, we always try to renew ourselves, we lock ourselves in a room for days to understand what is the best thing, the next step to take.
There was the Arena di Verona, and we are already thinking about another project, so we must never stop.
PV = About the Arena, a great recent triumph, we will talk very soon, but let’s go back a little to the beginning.
(the video of O Sole Mio, starts)
PV = (voice) It was 2009 when three provincial kids, with an extraordinary voice, two Sicilians, Piero and Ignazio and one from Abruzzo, Gianluca, made their debut on the RAI stage in “TI LASCIO UNA CANZONE,” a program by Antonella Clerici, directed by Roberto Cenci, who, in meeting the three “child prodigies”, immediately came up with the brilliant idea of putting them together.
R. CENCI = I followed the casting directly and in this second edition, I found these three guys and took them individually, because I got Ginoble because he had a voice very similar to Bocelli, not as a tenor, but when he sang normally. Ignazio had what I called “canna” (high tones) and Piero was the only one I had doubts about, whether to take it or not, because he was really a “tenorino” (small tenor) and the year before I had already had a boy with the tenor voice.
In the end, after two or three episodes, I spoke with Bibi (Bibi Ballandi, Italian TV producer) and I said: “Look, I have an idea, I want to bring them together and call them – Tenorini – to make the beautiful songs, the Italian bel canto.”
It was an immediate, incredible success.
He called Tony Renis and said, “Guys, but these three are very strong, in my opinion in America, they could win,” and I said, “In my opinion, the only one who can help them in this sense is you, if you want I can put you in contact with the families,” and in short, from there, let’s say that he accompanied them in what is their journey under full sail.
(the video of THE WORLD begins)
PV = (voice) Launching three very young Italian tenors into the world seemed an impossible mission, but considering the previous successes of producer Tony Renis, who for the occasion wanted, at all costs, at his side, the former manager of Bocelli, Michele Torpedine, the operation was a challenge to attempt.
Especially since together with the lawyer Peter Lopez, mister “Quando Quando” (Tony Renis) , he convinced the legendary Italian-American colleague Jimmy Lovine, to make an album with the Italian “tenorini”, very different from the rappers he launched, as a tribute to its Ischian origins.
And so it was that the three boys found themselves in Hollywood, among the elite of showbiz.
It was February 2010, on the eve of the Grammy Awards, or the Oscars of music.
PV = Gianluca: this first experience in America.
GIAN = It is a great emotion, we hope it is a starting point, because it is an incredible thing to be in America.
PV = Ignazio: in the footsteps of the great masters who made the history of world music, here in Los Angeles.
IGNAZIO = Being with Tony is beautiful, we have fun, we spend beautiful days together.
PV = (to Piero) You are already preparing an album, which will soon be released, also made with Umberto Gatica, therefore: Tony Renis, Umberto Gatica, Torpedine, one team …..
PIERO = Really strong, we get along very well with them, we communicate with them and we express ourselves well with them.
(start the video of UN AMORE COSÌ GRANDE – Live The Americana)
T. RENIS = Very strong, they are conquering the United States. The Americans are going crazy for these three kids, who are phenomena. They sing, they sing, really, they know how to sing.
(start the video WE ARE THE WORLD 25 FOR HAITI)
PV = (voice) That trip to Los Angeles, with their uncle Tony Renis in 2010, marked the turning point for Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero, in fact, the famous producer, also managed to convince his old friend-colleague Quincy Jones to let his three new ones enter as pupils, in the video in favor of Haiti, which re-proposed WE ARE THE WORLD by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.
TORPEDINE = It was a great dream, also because I came from a long experience of Andrea Bocelli, after 16 years, let’s say it was easier for me to continue this discussion.
PV = What place do Il Volo occupy in international music today?
TORPEDINE = I believe that after Andrea Bocelli, who clearly today we are talking about a monument, we are no longer talking only about an artist, immediately afterwards, they are there, because they are present in all countries of the world, as a publication, as a live, as a performance . Today Il Volo, together with Andrea, clearly Andrea becomes almost unattainable, because the recording market today is almost infinite, in general, but on the live part, they have the same capacities, in some countries, in others they don’t, but let’s say they occupy a huge space.
GIAN = Let’s say that, certainly the novelty was that, as Ignazio said, of three children singing pop-lyric, because it was the first time, so let’s say that from this point of view, we have always tried to be unique, and to propose to the public, to the people who follow us, something different.
Then, it is clear that over time, it is necessary to demonstrate and consolidate success, because being the novelty, it is also easy to be a meteor, therefore, as Ignazio said, sorry if I repeat myself, we must renew ourselves, with hard work, with constancy, with sacrifices and always staying on track, this is important. I must say that there is not only a working relationship, but also our friendship has been consolidated over time, and this helps us to be cohesive, strong and to develop ideas that allow us to renew ourselves.
RED RONNIE = I want for them, a good of the soul, because even if they joined almost by chance, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, they have three totally different personalities, who together have a crazy cohesion, so much so that they have invaded the world.
I hope they enjoy the happiness they deserve and are experiencing, because …… because they are still spontaneous, they still have the desire to see with their eyes what happens and, this is important, also with the heart. They are perfect when they are elegant, at the Verona Arena or on an important stage, or when they are like this, a little “discarded” when they come into my programs and let themselves go. Because they are three guys, very lucky, and very alive.
PV = (voice) Red Ronnie says well, three very different guys, who complement each other on stage, three particular characters, united by their common talent and love for music: Piero the professor, Ignazio the philosopher and Gianluca the seducer, two Sicilians and an Abruzzese.
After all, they are three young people of today with the ancient passion for opera, to be merged with pop, a characteristic that makes them fascinating in a transversal way to the different civilizations crossed in their first twelve years of common career in the world.
The result of the intelligence of the Italian province, which over the years has established itself, not only in music, but in every sector of society, as the journalist and writer points out: Pierangelo Buttafuoco.
P. BUTTAFUOCO = It is up to the village boy to “take flight”. If that of IL Volo is the story, or rather the novel, or better still the epic, of those who, like the guys, know how to go away.
Because the commandment given to the country guys is always the same, and it is this: “Who goes out, succeeds” (pun to say that whoever leaves the country, succeeds, that is, is successful, in life), and said in Sicilian it becomes: “cu nesci, arriesci”.
ANTONELLA BORALEVI(writer-journalist) = What is special about Il Volo?
Meanwhile, this name, because already hearing it, this name, takes you somewhere else, and then the fact that, we never say Il Volo, but we say “the boys of Il Volo”. I think that the three members of Il Volo group will have to get used to being called “boys” even when they are 70 years old.
But above all I would like to thank them, the guys from Il Volo, because they have the characteristic of giving joy. The guys from Il Volo put you in a good mood. The guys from Il Volo, you look at them and you feel better, you listen to them and you hum them and you feel better. So, as they say: go go go, guys from Il Volo and thank you for the joy you give us.
PV = (voice) All mad per Il Volo, it could be the title of a docu-film about the life of the three boys who continue to reap successes and attract fans of all ages, especially women, in the many countries already visited by three young people, they enchant the spectators and seduce, in particular, the fair sex, with their typical Italian charm. That’s right, it was for Pavarotti, it is for Andrea Bocelli, it is for Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero, of whom also three collaborators of Milly Carlucci have an excellent opinion and who had the pleasure of training Il Volo, for a special episode of Dancing with the stars.
OB = (dance teacher). Piero dancer mmmmhhh. Piero dancer, determined, very stubborn, I remember that he always wanted to try the steps, always perfect the rhythm. Obviously: he Sicilian and I Sicilian, we had a great time, I have wonderful memories, both of Piero and of the whole group. We had a lot of fun in our beautiful tango.
LL = (dance teacher) Gianluca dancer was a real discovery. But I think that in the tango, it was really exceptional, because in reality it represents it a little. Tango is very technical, and in my opinion Gianluca is precise, like tango, like all professionals, on the other hand. He is sensual, mysterious, captivating and intriguing, but above all, tango is elegance, and he is a very, very elegant person, and this is a gift that few people have, and that distinguishes him above all.
MG = (dance teacher). Ignazio was a great revelation and certainly as a dancer he was exceptional that evening at Dancing under the stars, when we did the tango together and I must say that it was really nice to see how, in a short time, this guy really learned the main things, of this dance, which was the tango. He tried to really express himself 100% and I was really very proud and proud and happy to have danced this dance with him.
R. RONNIE = Happiness could be …. such a wonderful place, surrounded by nature, relaxation. But you are missing something, you miss sharing it with the person you love, and then happiness is not living a beautiful thing, but sharing it.
Happiness is giving to others, it is giving, making people feel good. For me, happiness is giving space to artists, emerging groups, giving a voice to those who don’t have it.
In the end, we remain, for what we have given, not for what we have had, so happiness is giving.
(There are some scenes with Pavarotti)
PV = (voice) The myth of Luciano Pavarotti, after the docu-masterpiece of the Oscar winner Ron Howard, hovers in the dreams of all of us and above all in those of Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble, alias Il Volo, who during the years they also managed to make friends with the friends and colleagues of a thousand adventures of Big Luciano (Pavarotti), the Spanish tenors Josè Carreras and Plácido Domingo. Especially with the latter who, as an indomitable lion, has also granted his three grandchildren (Il Volo) the honor of stepping on the same stage.
But what does it feel like to follow in the footsteps of three legends, who started the history of opera-pop? Feel the thought of Il Volo about it.
PIERO = The three tenors, Pavarotti, Domingo and Carreras, were the three who cleared opera, classical music, outside the theater and brought it to the general public.
Let’s say that we are trying to follow, humbly, without emulating the three tenors, we are trying not to let this music die, which will never end, because classical music, the classical term, is synonymous with eternal. We were in Florence, in Piazza Santa Croce, it was not a normal evening, it was a Magic Night, in fact it was the title of that project that we have taken on tour everywhere.
Clearly when we conceive a project, if there is no trust on the part of someone, there is no encouragement. When the idea of doing the Tribute to the Three Tenors was born, there was the foundation of Pavarotti who supported this idea, many messages with Josè Carreras, but the maestro Plácido Domingo did us the honor …..
IGNAZIO = Besides, he is a great friend of ours!
PIERO = ……he did us the honor of accepting our invitation, coming to Florence, conducting and singing that repertoire with us, so having his support gave us so much strength.
GIAN = I would also like to add that we have just done the concert at the Arena di Verona, the Tribute to Morricone, and there too, as Piero said, there was support, and of course it continues to be there for this recording project that will be released soon, by maestro Andrea Morricone and the whole Morricone family.
So this gives us that encouragement Piero was talking about.
PV = I must tell you that at this moment I am having a bit of the chills, because the first part of my artistic career began in the myth of Luciano Pavarotti, Josè Carreras, and Placido Domingo, I have followed them, ever since in 1990, together with maestro Zubin Mehta, they trod the Caracalla stage for a concert on the occasion of the Italia 90 World Cup, and from that moment, I understood the power of Luciano Pavarotti, and his two Spanish friends, to go and communicate the great international music, but above all Italian.
Finding myself today, with three very young friends, Italians, who are on that road, frankly, gives me, on the one hand, the feeling that I am getting a little old, on the other hand the joy of seeing that Maestro Pavarotti has drawn a really important road that you guys are following very well, isn’t it Ignazio?
IGNAZIO = Look, I tell you the truth, even with this Morricone project, we never wanted to be a copy of something, we want to try to be the means, to ensure that this music is never forgotten.
We are moving towards an era where the music changes every year, the charts change.
GIAN = (says in English) This legacy will never die, you know?
PV = You understand, the boy from Abruzzo who now speaks with an English slang!
PV = Piero, at this moment I have a flash, I remember a magnificent summer evening, in Piazza del Popolo (Rome) with the master Ennio Morricone who directed you in that wonderful song E PIÙ TI PENSO . In those days we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy, it was your first great performance, face to face with the legend of legends, the master Morricone.
PIERO = The first meeting with master Morricone, took place in the FORUM studios in Rome, in 2010 during the recording of our first album.
We were just recording E PIÙ TI PENSO and the master was passing through the studios and came in to listen, so he was the first to listen to our work.
We, fourteen, fifteen, still did not realize the importance, the greatness of the master. When he listened to E PIÙ TI PENSO, he decided to conduct this song live, on the occasion of a concert in Piazza del Popolo …
IGNAZIO = 150 years of the Unification of Italy.
PIERO = ….. 150 years of the Unification of Italy.
Today, we are not ashamed to say it, we have realized the importance and prestige of that event.
PV= In fact, Ignazio, having reached personal success, having arrived at a personal encounter with the legends, you so young, did not immediately make you understand what magnificent world you had entered.
How do you relive the memory of these events today? We talked about We Are The World and then 150 years, and in any case you are still at the beginning of a prestigious career.
How do you relive those passages that have taken place in the international arena and that seemed so unimaginable?
IGNAZIO = Look, I try to be brief. I think they will be indelible memories, which we will never forget, perhaps in those times, thanks to naivety, we lived everything more serenely. But they will be memories that we cannot help but take with us, tell them to our children, our grandchildren. Surely a very important thing is that we have learned a lot from them, the experience with Barbra Streisand has taught us a lot. In the end, when you relate to artists and people, because they are mainly people, you learn humanity, you learn humility, you learn how much dedication they put into their work, how much effort, how many sacrifices, and therefore we only learned from them.
GIAN = And then, these experiences that we have lived, we feel three privileged, those experiences that, like pieces, form the personality and that give sensitivity, empathy. These strong emotions that we have lived together have been a continuous personal growth, which has allowed us, really, to experience these things at a young age, with a naivety and a beauty, with a purity and we are truly proud to have lived them together.
Being on stage together, knowing that there are companions … I look at them (Piero and Ignazio) and they have experienced things that not even our brothers or our parents can understand, because there is this union between us, which makes these things truly special.
I wanted to translate this long interview, because it seemed interesting to me.
I’m halfway through the work, there are still many interesting things.
Tell me if you want to find out what will be said in the second part and, with a little patience, that too will come.
Daniela
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