On 21 January Il Volo was a guest in an episode of the Brazilian show CALDEIRAO DO MION presented by Marcos Mion.
The show was probably recorded before the Christmas holidays and only now broadcast.
Gianluca Ignazio and Piero are in excellent shape, dressed in informal clothes, beautiful, good and nice as always.
Here is the video.
(I start by saying that I can’t speak Portuguese, but I’ll try to translate roughly the sense of the pleasant conversation between Il Volo and Marcos.)
After the beautiful presentation, Il Volo enters the scene and immediately sings Volare.
At the end of the song Ignazio thanks in Portuguese, Marcos is amazed that Ignazio speaks Portuguese and Ignazio confirms that he speaks Portuguese and then there is a nice exchange between Ignazio and Marcos, because Ignazio tells the Marcos that he doesn’t understand why in Brazil, but also all over the world, when people try to speak Italian, the voice goes “eeeeeee” and they move their hands (and Ignazio imitates the way they move their hands).
IGNAZIO= But the Italians don’t do that. 😁
MARCOS= It’s my technique, because I have been in Italy for a long time with my family. (Marcos speaks alternating even a little in Italian)
GIANLUCA= You speak well (he means in Italian, while Ignazio makes fun of Marcos for the way he speaks Italian – laughter) 😁
(An exchange of sentences begins between Gianluca and Marcos who finish the sentences in the Italian and Portuguese way)
IGNAZIO= (he introduces himself into the discourse between Gian and Marcos) Do you know that ….OA…it’s the typical Sicilian way?
MARCOS= Yes, good, good.
IGNAZIO= (he says a few sentences in Sicilian marking the final ….OA)
MARCOS= You sing a lot…
IGNAZIO=…we are singers!!! 😁😁😁 If we were dancers, we danced a lot. 😁
MARCOS= Yes, you sing a lot, what music????
IGNAZIO= Music!!! 😁😁
MARCOS= Do you sing a capella?
IGNAZIO= Ah, a cappella… (and Gianluca immediately intones a piece of Il Mondo, great applause)
MARCOS= Bravo!! The audience gets up to applaud Il Volo.
PIERO= Thank you!
MARCOS= (addressing Ignazio) Translate for them (but then invites a translator named Marcelo.)
MARCELO= He (Marcos) asks if you can help him make a presentation in Italian.
PIERO= The important thing is that he talks like this (tightening the pronunciation)
MARCELO= (to Marcos) Don’t close the pronunciation.
MARCOS= Okay (Ignazio suggests something to Marcos. The writing in Italian appears on the bottom: CALDERONE CON MIOZZONE )
Open the tarpaulin CAULDRON WITH MIOZZONE
(Then the music of an Italian tarantella starts and Marcos re-enters the stage saying and singing in Italian)
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to CALDERONE , I am the hottest presenter on Brazilian television.”
IGNAZIO= You know what I say, that you are the best presenter of Brazilian television.
MARCOS= Ladies and gentlemen, they have arrived, sing again!
IGNAZIO= Yes, we still sing, we know that there are many fans of Roberto Carlos (famous Brazilian singer-songwriter) here.
MARCOS= Wow wow
IGNAZIO= And so we’re going to sing COMO VAI VOCE (their new single is a song by Roberto Carlos) .
MARCOS= COMO VAI VOICE, it’s very nice, and it’s the first time.
PIERO= It’s the first time we sing in a TV program in Portuguese, so please forgive us for the pronunciation.
MARCELO= (translates what Piero said)
MARCOS= It will be black. Go sing. Ladies and gentlemen, here at Calderone, Il Volo. (start the song)
MARCOS= Marvelous, it was beautiful….(he embraces everyone).…I am ….as they say fascinated…
IGNAZIO = in love
MARCOS= I’m in love, it was beautiful, impressed.
GIANLUCA= Thank you very much, thank you.
IGNAZIO= You are invited to our concert this year and all of you to the concerts (Piero intervenes)
PIERO= I know the dates (and he list the dates)
MARCOS= It was very exciting, there was also a show in the audience, very beautiful.
IGNAZIO = Thank you very much.
MARCOS= Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca: Il Volo!! Thanks, thanks, thanks.
Then, Il Volo was interviewed via video by a Brazilian journalist for the newspaper Metropoles.
Or rather, Piero and Ignazio have been interviewed, because Gianluca is not present. The interviewer and also Piero speak in English, so I try to translate Ignazio’s answers, who replies in Portuguese.
To the first question, Ignazio replies that for Il Volo it has always been said that their music is a combination of opera and pop, but in truth they are three singers who sing traditional Italian music and traditional music from all over the world, such as in this last single where we sing the music of the great maestro Roberto Carlos, “Como vai voce”. They have always sung traditional music from all over the world, so that the new generation can get to know it.
To the third question, Ignazio says that it will be the first time they sing in Portuguese on tour, (Piero corrects Ignazio by saying that it is only a song in Portuguese) and as always there is a lot of emotion, but they are also happy because the pandemic had forbidden them to sing in Brazil.
To the fourth question, Ignazio replies that they haven’t had much time to visit Brasilia, they have only seen the hotels where they were staying, but they want to take some time to visit Brasilia, which is also the capital of Brazil.
At this point the interviewer apologizes to Piero but wants to have a word with Ignazio in Portuguese. So he tells Ignazio that he speaks Portuguese very well and understands it well and then asks him if he understood what the song “Como vai voce” means for Brazilian culture.
Ignazio replies that almost two months ago, they came to Brazil for a private event and the first thing he said to Piero was “I feel at home”, he has a strong connection with Brazil, because he had a sweetheart, now he doesn’t anymore. He had lived Brazil, not only in terms of tourism, but like the Brazilian people and he understood a lot about the sensitivity, the happiness, the naturalness of knowing how to live with little, he understood a lot about how they face life, it’s different, it reminds him a lot southern Italy, and perhaps for this reason he feel at home and have a strong connection with Brazil.
When asked next, Ignazio says that music can help to get through a difficult moment. Il Volo uses different languages, they’ve always done the Spanish language versions, because they have to create a connection with the people, it’s very important. Singing in other languages is not very difficult if there is training. To sing in Portuguese they had a Brazilian coach in Milan, and it wasn’t that difficult.
The only problem is that Ignazio learned Portuguese from Carioca (hence with a markedly different pronunciation), but it was nice, and so he asks if he has any advice for him?
Sufficient!
To the following question the interviewer asks Ignazio if he loves samba and pagode (type of music) and Ignazio confirms that he loves samba and all Brazilian music, he says that he has listened to a lot of music of that kind.
The interviewer asks if there will be a version of Il Volo with pagode, so Piero asks what pagode is and Ignazio explains that it is like a typical Brazilian reggaeton.
Finally Ignazio sends a greeting to the fans in Portuguese, he says that they are very happy to come and give a concert in Brazil, especially after the pandemic, and will also come and sing in Portuguese for the first time, even if only one song. They thank a lot for the support of the fans, who are always very present.
Final greetings from the interviewer.
Very nice this collage by Frances Cummings!
And these instead are the beautiful words of Gianluca in another internet interview.
Always looking for something interesting to offer you, while I finished the translation of the Bosky TV video for you, I found this beautiful and interesting interview that Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca had before the American tour.
It was written by Umberto Mucci and published by WETHEITALIANS.
Maybe not all of you have read it and so here it is.
Enjoy the reading. ☺
TWO FLAGS, THREE HEARTS 💗💗💗
In 2015 I attended my first National Italian American Foundation Gala in Washington, DC. Somewhat intimidated by the size of the venue, the 2,000 hosts in tuxedos or evening gowns, and the importance of those in attendance, I discovered that at my table were CEOs and managers of the highest caliber, with their respective spouses.
My surprise, was great, when the time came for the musical performance, I saw them snapping to their feet and dancing enthusiastically. Driving them crazy with joy and Italian pride were three young very talented Italian boys, Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero: Il Volo. I will never forget it, which is also why I am happy and proud to welcome them on “We the Italians”, on the eve of their new prestigious fall tour in the United States.
Ciao ragazzi! Thanks for being on We the Italians. How did you meet and how did you start singing together?
We met in 2009 on a RAI television show called “Ti Lascio Una Canzone” (I Leave You a Song). The producer of this television show heard these three boys with adult voices and decided to put our three voices together and remember the three tenors in a nice way, asking us to sing “O Sole Mio”. That was the first song that we sang together, and from that Italian program that had great success with the audience and online shares, we were catapulted into the American market, signing a contract with a major American label, Iterscope, part of Universal Music. Ours was 100% the famous American dream. We signed the American contract and recorded our first album, Il Volo. And from there our artistic journey began.
Were you in love with America since you were children?
For sure the greatest curiosity, as children, was to see the cars and the streets, and the yellow taxis, because we had always seen them in films and television: the first that comes to mind is “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” So the yellow taxis, the immense six-lane roads, and the huge cars are the first memories as children that we have of the curiosity to one day see America: we are from three different parts of Italy, none of which had these things.
We were very small. It was difficult to dream of anything else at that age. Obviously even as a child thinking of going to America was difficult, we wondered how many hours the trip lasted … but when we were children we also listened to Elvis Presley and of course Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, because our parents also passed on to us the passion for American music. Some of us also have some relatives in America, like a large part of the Italians living in Italy. It all seemed so far away then, but instead then in the end we lived it and we continue to live it every day and it’s fantastic.
What names do you give me, if I ask you yourfavorite Italian American singer or group?
The greatest Italian American singers that we admire are Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, and also Michael Bublé, who even though is Canadian sings in English and it’s the same continent. Moreover, two of us, Ignazio and Piero, are Sicilian like Frank Sinatra and Lady Gaga, while Gianluca has Abruzzese origins like Perry Como, Dean Martin and Michael Bublé. Instead Tony Bennett is of Calabrese descent.
How many concerts have you put on in the United States up to now? What memory do you have or your past US tours?
We think we have put on about 350/400 concerts in America, in our 13-year career, considering that our first tour had 55/60 dates, and then we did tours of about 20/30 concerts every year. The nicest thing is that obviously the descendants of the Italians who emigrated are, everywhere, our first fans, and they always show us a lot of affection.
The tradition of Italians abroad is exceptional, even subsequent generations retain the Italian blood, the attachment to our country. But it is also true that our type of music, as Pavarotti and Bocelli teach us, manages to conquer not only the Italian abroad but also the real American or the Japanese or Brazilian who have no Italian origins. This is sometimes striking. When we travel the world, of course we find many people who have Italian origins, however most of our audience is not Italian and it is amazing how the strength of this type of music – like when you sing ”Nessun Dorma” – is that it completely breaks through any cultural and linguistic barrier. This is the strength of Italian music, of our vocalism, of the Italian musical genre.
Is there an anecdote, a curiosity, something nice that you want to tell about your musical adventures in America among Italian Americans?
Well, it was exciting to meet Dean Martin’s daughter in New York. Perhaps the best anecdote happened in Los Angeles. We were there on our tour with Barbra Streisand, and we were in this barbershop for men but also hairdresser for women to get our hair cut. Next to us a lady was looking at us from the mirror and at one point she told us: “Ah, tomorrow night you will be performing here in L.A.”. We say yes, not knowing who she is. And the hairdresser, who was cutting our hair, trying to signal us without being seen by the lady, wanted me to understand that this lady was a famous person. We ask the lady if she will come to see us, but she does not answer us. In short, in the end the hairdresser reveals that that was Priscilla Presley, Elvis’s wife. In the end we invited her to the concert and a great friendship was born from there.
Let’s talk about the 2022 tour. Let’s remind our readers the dates and cities of your concerts and how they can purchase tickets if they haven’t already done so.
They can find all the details and can purchase tickets for all the dates on our website. The tour was originally planned for the spring of this year but was postponed to September and October because of Covid.
The tour starts in Canada and arrives in Detroit, MI September 10; Cleveland, OH September 12; Chicago, IL September 13; Indianapolis, IN September 15; Uncasville, CT September 17; Boston, MA September 20; Atlantic City, NJ September 23; Oxon Hill, MD September 25; New York, NY September 27; Bethlehem, PA September 29; Atlanta, GA October 2; Fort Myers, FL October 4; Clearwater, FL October 7; Sunrise, FL October 9; Phoenix, AZ October 13; and finally Los Angeles, CA October 15.
What is your favorite song to sing in your American concerts? Is there one that you do as a tribute to an Italian-American artist?
Perhaps one of the most beautiful moments is when we sing “Smile” by Charlie Chaplin or “Caruso” by Lucio Dalla, and of course also “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. Perhaps the most exciting moment is “Nessun Dorma”. Because now, we are sorry for those who perhaps think differently but we believe we must be realistic, “Nessun Dorma” is now considered a song. When our fans hear “Nessun Dorma” they have been waiting for it from the beginning of the concert, and they know that this is the ending. When we finish singing it there is a great standing ovation. For us it is really a great joy to sing it, always, but we understand that it is the same also for those who came to hear us.
Il Volo sings Morricone: a great success dedicated to an extraordinary and unforgettable Italian master. Can you tell me the emotions you felt in paying homage to such a gigantic Italian?
It is authoritative, elite music, which gives great prestige to our repertoire, brings us a musical level up that expands our repertoire, which is already an elegant and varied repertoire. This further upgrade for us also means a new and greater responsibility and musical maturity, progress. In our repertoire we try to represent Italian music but not only that, we also sing “My Way” by Frank Sinatra and “Smile “by Charlie Chaplin, in addition to ”Nessun Dorma” and “O Sole Mio”. So in addition to representing Italy, we try to represent what it is the bel canto from all points of view. Now let’s add these incredible soundtracks that have been a fundamental and beloved part of the most important films in the history of cinema. For us it is a matter of pride to give a further touch of prestige and elegance to each project.
Would you like to send a greeting to the many Italian-American readers of We the Italians?
Of course. Obviously we are very young to know directly the stories of these people, who are sons and daughters and grandchildren of courageous people who emigrated from Italy to America with a lot of courage, trying to find luck and their way. We have enormous respect for these Italians and their ancestors, and it will certainly be nice to be able to meet them around America at our concerts. We will see them in September or October, depending on which city they live in. We want to thank them for the great support they have always shown us in our 13-year career.
Meanwhile the staff of Il Volo continues to announce new dates for the 2023 tour, here is the ever-increasing list for now…………of course I’m crossing my fingers for some Italian dates!!
Here are the confirmed dates to date:
Furthermore, the date of May 27 in Krakow, Poland has already been confirmed.
It is clear that from the end of March to May, other dates will be added, and will you go to any of these concerts?
Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca are also working on some new projects or music, as Gianluca tells us in this photo:
And then, as already anticipated in December, Il Volo released a song by Roberto Carlos, entitled COMO VAI VOCÊ, available only for Brazil.
Very sweet song!!
And from this video message from Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio announcing the new single, we are waiting for a surprise for February 17th!!! ❤❤❤
Last thing. I found this short piece of “I COLORI DELL’AMORE” sung by our boys, from which the musical base has been removed, and therefore we only hear the voices……..chills…..those wonderful voices!!! 😘😘😘
Really nice interview, I really liked the introduction and the title: “Two Flag, Three hearts”, very apt indeed .😊
Your interpretation of Roberto Carlos’ song is very beautiful. 😊
“Guys, we hope for new music and we are here ready to listen to what you will do and it will surely be well done!!” 😘
Your South American tour will be fantastic, your fans have been waiting for you for three years. 😊
Then there are rumors, for now, that speak of a presence of Il Volo, as guests in an episode of an Italian television program ….. we will keep you updated. 😉
That’s all for now, see you soon:
Daniela🤗
Credit to owners of all photos and videos.
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
