Lots of news these days, but let’s get straight to the most recent news.
During the television broadcast on Rai 1, all the singers admitted to Sanremo were invited to say the title of the song they will present at the festival.
The broadcast was live from the Sanremo Casino, where the Sanremo Festival was born.
The arrival of Il Volo at the Sanremo Casino.
Here is the title of the song that Il Volo will present in Sanremo and here is the moment in which they gave this news.
C A P O L A V O R O
AMADEUS= The next competing singers are other winners, they represent a 15-year history, a history of music, of friendship, of success all over the world.
After the victory in 2015 and third place in 2019, it is a great pleasure to announce Il Volo’s return to competition at the Sanremo Festival (applause)
G+P+I= Hello, hello everyone.
PIERO = (to Amadeus) You’re in great shape.
AMADEUS= Just don’t eat! You know, the energy!
IGNAZIO= Like dismantling the kitchen and assembling the gym!
AMADEUS= Good, more or less!
GIANLUCA= Fiore, (Fiorello, TV presenter), steals your job!
AMADEUS= I must say that the fact that someone says: “They won Sanremo….” but how many things have happened for you, we’re talking about a worldwide success, which continues to be worldwide, therefore also a notable commitment, because you really travel the world.
GIANLUCA= Yes, I truly believe that the secret, and it is a message that we also want to send to those who have followed us over all these years, is to always remain cohesive, cultivate friendships, even if we have not chosen each other, learn to know each other, not to clash the sensitivity of the other, I think this is really important, because being cohesive makes us stronger. Individuality is important, cultivating it, but I believe being a cohesive group is the key that has allowed us to reach 15 years of career.
AMADEUS= Absolutely. We talked about the victory at the Sanremo Festival, who doesn’t remember that 2015 with Grande Amore. (the video of the victory starts).
This is one of those songs that the public has taken over (it means that everyone knows it)
PIERO= But our expression makes you understand the emotion and adrenaline that the Ariston stage gives you, because many of you will know that we met on the Ariston stage, in the television program 15 years ago. It’s not the first time, in some way we were baptized on that stage, but every time it’s a new emotion, even though it’s the umpteenth time.
IGNAZIO= If I can spoil one thing, I’ll see you in 5 years because every 5 years we come to celebrate the anniversary, in 2019 10 years, this year 15 years, we’ll see each other again for the 20th.
AMADEUS= It’s true! I’m happy that it coincides with 2024 (it will be Amadeus’ last presence in Sanremo as host), which is why I extended it by one year.
And what do you bring to Sanremo?
GIANLUCA= Wait, let’s say it together?
AMADEUS= As you wish: one two three….
I+P+G= CAPOLAVORO (Masterpiece)
How exciting, and how beautiful they are, as you will have noticed they are also dressed in an elegant but informal way, in fact Amadeus’ wife, Giovanna, does not miss the opportunity to point this out in a nice way. 😁
GIANLUCA= How are you?
GIOVANNA= I’ve never seen you in a tank top…
PIERO= I’m not in a tank top.
GIOVANNA= Yes, you are in a tank top (and shows Piero’s tank top and then Ignazio’s), look, Il Volo in a tank top, a little transgressive! 😁
In fact, you will notice that the new image of Il Volo is certainly different from what we are used to seeing. They are followed by a designer (the most fashionable currently in Italy) Nick Cerioni, who is famous for giving a different imprint and has relaunched the image of several Italian singers.
Nick Cerioni himself published these words on his page:
“A project that I have always cared about, not only for the immense artistic luster that these three guys give to Italy but because they are three unique people.
I worked with Il Volo on the creative direction of the visual part of their new project and together we created a world (or rather a universe) that speaks of this new beginning.
The videos and photos are by the best of the good (yes, I’m biased) Leandro Emede (Nick’s husband)✨”
Here are some shots from Leandro Emede.
And I think this will be the cover of the new single:
For this evening, Il Volo wore Armani suits, as VANITY FAIR tells us.
Il Volo in Giorgio Armani
Black in three look variations, which demonstrate the desire to bring the three different personalities of the trio onto the stage. Ignazio Boschetto’s outfit is the most linear, Piero Barone wears a tuxedo with a t-shirt instead of a shirt while Gianluca Ginoble sports a softer outfit with an open shirt.
Other shots of the evening.
Greetings to Caterina Balivo (the one who presents another Rai program)
And in this video Piero, Gianluca and Ignazio tell us that this video is on Sanremo RAI’s Instagram and they ask us to let them know if we like the title of the new song and Gianluca specifies that it is not self-referential.
Many newspapers and broadcasts talked about the evening and this is just the evening in which the titles of the songs were discovered. As you can understand, there is a lot of visibility that revolves around the Festival and this is certainly what Il Volo was looking for when launching a new work.
It is absolutely forbidden to listen to the song before the Sanremo evening, under penalty of disqualification. Furthermore, as I have already told you, all the singers competing cannot appear on any television network other than RAI, the regulations are very restrictive on this.
And in this video, Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero jokingly communicate on the web the title of the song they will sing in Sanremo in 2024.
Instead, in this other video, Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero communicate that they have a Whatsapp channel and say to subscribe to their channel to be updated on the news. To sign up just open this link.
Robbie Williams, of whom Gianluca is a fan, was also invited to perform at the same private event and in fact there are several videos in which Gianluca and also Piero can be seen listening to Robbie sing, with Gianluca’s evident enthusiasm.
……and what you don’t expect is that Robbie, while he is singing Angels (the song that Gianluca sang with the soprano in the Arena), invites Gianluca to sing and gives him the microphone.
Gianluca was very excited and wrote on his page: “Last night was crazy with @robbiewilliams 🔥 and now who sleeps anymore.”
Shortly before the Monte Carlo event, the staff announced that Il Volo would return to concert at the Verona Arena in May, on 9-11-12.
There was an immediate rush for tickets, because advance sales began the same day as the announcement.
I already have my ticket and even if I didn’t manage to get the best seats, I will be in row no. 5 side, I can’t wait and I will definitely meet lots of friends.
Who of you will be there?
Meanwhile, my beautiful Christmas EP has also arrived. What a beautiful gift!!
On 15 December in Bologna the Donatello Restaurant (where Il Volo often goes) celebrated 120 years of activity and among the various guests at dinner there were also Piero Barone and Michele Torpedine.
At a certain point in the evening a beautiful duet was born between Piero and a soprano to the tune of the song “Non ti scordar di me.”
But let’s take a look at the new sweet engaged couple, here are some beautiful photos of them together in Milan, Ignazio and Michelle, but how beautiful they are!! ❤️❤️
For now there is nothing else, but soon it will be Christmas and therefore I take this opportunity to wish you my personal wishes for a beautiful Christmas, which will bring joy, health, happiness and above all in this moment, PEACE. ❤️
Best wishes to all of you!!
Daniela 😍❤️
Best wishes for a peaceful Christmas from all the Flight Crew staff:
Jana, Kelly, Daniela, Pat and Susan
🎄 MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🎄
And to celebrate Christmas we propose again the beautiful concert recorded in Jerusalem a year ago, when there was no war yet.
The time is 21:10… and the doors at Teatro Arcimboldi are still open but the light slightly dimmed. The audience starts clapping their hands and making noises for the third time. A certain tension has arisen.
At 21:15 sharp, however, the lights are turned off, the curtain slowly pulls aside and bathed in a spotlight, three young men appear.
Dressed in black suits and shirts, standing completely still in the silence. A roar arose from the audience. A single voice is heard. No music. No lightshow. A pitch black stage.
Gianluca’s honey-like voice has softly started up the first lines of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” but is soon joined by Ignazio’s emotional interpretation of the words and Piero’s warm and strong emphasizes of the highlights. IL VOLO has taken the stage! The audience is brought in an instant awe with this a cappella version of the legendary song.
We are spellbound and in their hands from the very first note! The audience goes crazy. Standing ovations. What an opening – and so unexpected! Actually, I had just told my husband that I was ready for a bet that they would start up individually in each corner of the hall with their new version of “Granada” – in similarity with the openings of the TV-shows in Verona. So much for that! Those guys understand to surprise us, so what now to expect?
Coincidences happen and opportunities arise…
It wasn’t planned at all. I wasn’t going to attend yet an Il Volo concert this summer.
Having enjoyed the “rainy” concert in Verona with Daniela on May 1st , well, I figured that it would have to do for a while.
So I had tried to ignore and forget all about the upcoming Italian concerts. However… when with only a few weeks’ notice it was suddenly decided that my husband and I would do a European self-drive holiday at the end of August/primo September – and I sat down to plan the itinerary in detail – an unexpected “door” opened.
I needed an overnight stop somewhere between Austria and Umbria (mid Italy) as too far to drive in one day.
I looked at the date – Sunday, September the 3rd – uh wasn’t it one of the days of the IL VOLO concerts?
And Milan – uh wasn’t it just more or less right along the planned route? Yes! OMG it could work!
My husband needed a bit of persuasion but had to admit that it wasn’t too bad an idea 😊.
Only, what about concert tickets?
At first glance the concert was all sold out – oh NO – but yet again, if we were willing to sit not exactly next to each other, we could find acceptable seats – at least we thought.
And voila – we were going to enjoy one of the “Tutti per Uno” Concerts in Milan! 😁😉☺. And here we are!
Trees do not grow into the sky though…
and everything did not exactly turn out as we had hoped for with this concert arrangement.
Reaching the theatre and finding our seats we realized that the lack of understanding the Italian language had given us an incorrect impression of the location of the same. Not only were we not going to sit together, but apparently these seats were not in the back of the floor on an elevation nor on the front row of same, as we had understood – but actually on the first balcony! So absolutely not the same as being on the floor with the opportunity of having the guys pass by when mingling with the audience and furthermore, my seat was neither near the middle of the hall as thought but rather almost at the very end to the left with my husband even further away. Hence, we went to the ticket office trying to explain the situation hoping that they might have received some last minute cancellations that we could upgrade to. Nope. Absolutely no mercy here. We were told that we could purchase new tickets (at a totally sold out concert?) and then try to sell the original ones by the door (half an hour before the start of the concert?).
Disappointed, we walked back to our seats pondering about what a study of the word “service” could have done in this connection… In spite of a totally sold out concert we did, however, quickly noticed none the less than a section of some 15-20 empty seats in a rounding just in front of us… When the doors closed and the guys had finished their opening song these seats were still not occupied… We signalized each other: Let’s make a go for them.
So we did end up sitting next to each other – still on the balcony – but now kind of in the front row with better views, while the theatre lost out on the income of the difference in ticket prices and not the least happy clients!
Sound Check…
Another point of disappointment relates to the “Sound Check” – or rather the cancelled one. Actually, having heard nothing from the official FanClub as to the possibilities of a sound check arrangement before we left Denmark, I did not anticipate that there would be any at all and had come to terms with that. But a few days before the concert I received an email gladly announcing sound check invitations to all the European concerts. Jihaaa – and a few minutes later I held a confirmation on my iPhone. YES, we were accepted to attend the sound check prior to our concert. My heart did beat a little harder – being the very best chance of meeting the guys. But not for long as shortly after I received yet another mail now telling me that all the sound checks in Milan but the very first one would not be carried through… for some rather unclear reason. My heart stopped beating for a bit. Oh no – why? Even worse, the next day I got a new email telling me that there would be a sound check in connection with the very last concert on the 9th of September to which we were welcome to attend… But on the 9th we would be far away from Milan without the slightest chance of attending. It was like a kick in the belly and a much bigger disappointment than if no invitations had been offered at all. I don’t know about that official FanClub… sorry to say. When in Rome at X-mas the sound check ended up with us standing for more than 1 hr. outside in the cold being let in only for the very last 10 minutes or so and with no following special “Meet & Greet” about the new book as clearly stated in the invitation. That did simply not occur nor did we get any info or explanation. And now we get an invitation – a confirmation – then it gets all cancelled followed by a “but you can attend another day”… I lack to understand what could possibly be a difference in technical conditions that could lead to a cancellation some days but functioning on the 2nd and the 9th of September?
Well, apparently it is just not for me to succeed in experiencing a well-functioning sound check. And for once I had ample time to take part and staying in a convenient hotel, just at 3 min. walk from the concert hall. Alas, one cannot win all battles, but I must admit, I was truly disappointed and sad at the time.
Back to the concert
As you do all know by now the concert was in many ways built up in the very same way as the big ditto ones in Verona, however, without guest stars. Each guy did about 5 solos, I think, and then a nice amount of their original repertoire together. Having some 60 songs to choose among, apparently the repertoire has varied from evening to evening. Daniela has most kindly made up and previously posted a list with all the songs performed during these 6 concerts – you can look them up. I must admit that my concentration was more on the show and performances than what songs were actually performed on my night particularly… sorry, so I did not make notes. But I recall some of those that I enjoyed the most.
Don’t get me wrong, I love all songs by IL VOLO but, of course, I have my favorites. All guys had a good evening and did great – but I recall particularly Ignazio in the good old Aretha Franklin song: “A natural woman”. In Verona he did it as a duet with one of the guest stars, but this evening he did it all by himself while likewise playing the piano. That song suits him well and he performed it with a lot of soul, emotion and the right amount of Motown ambiance. I loved it – and so did the audience.
Gianluca gave us his new Beatles medley, which likewise fits his soft voice really well and brings back good memories to me and my husband being big Beatles fans. He did also perform the old Freddy Mercury rock-´n-roll song and Elvis tribute “This crazy little thing” that seems to be his own favorite for the time being. It worked better for him than I recall from Verona and he is visually happy singing and performing it. His very embodied and emotional interpretation of the love song “Cura” did, however, capture the audience the most.
As anticipated Piero had chosen a selection of opera arias the names of which I do, unfortunately, not know or recall. One was, however, “Mamma quel vino è generoso”. But he is happy as a lark performing these songs that are all concluded with big wall-to-wall smiles clearly indicating that he has succeeded to his own satisfaction. One of the highlights to me was an operatic duet between him and Ignazio: “Miserere”. That duet he did with a rock singer in Verona – but Ignazio did a fabulous job taking over here – kudos to him. Ignazio has an incredible span in his voice and seems to be able to embrace almost any kind of musical genre.
Personally, I love when the guys sing together the most though – creating those awesome and beautiful harmonies that define the IL VOLO sound – and we were blessed with their core songs such as “Il Mondo”, “My Way” and, of course, “Grande Amore”.
Mingling with the audience
Is no doubt something the guys enjoy themselves tremendously – hence their choice of the smaller Teatro Arcimboldi according to themselves – giving them the opportunity to get close to the audience and their fans.
Therefore, to the tunes of the traditional Bel Canto song “Volare” they climbed down from the stage, opened the gate to the hall and wandered singing out among the audience who were lucky to get handshakes, selfies and even hugs while they sang their hearts out. The audience on the floor went crazy and embraced them standing, while we could only watch the fun from our closed balcony seats (said the sour grape being truly jealous of those having been able to obtain orchestra seats on the floor).
But there can no longer be any doubt to anyone that these guys are highly loved by the audience and their fans!
There was an incredible atmosphere in the hall – a true party – and lots of fans must have returned home with great memories of close encounters with the guys.
Due to our seating I was generally not able to take any good photos or videos – too far a distance for my old iPhone camera to deal with – but in spite of same I did try anyway to capture these emotions.
On top the attached little video from the same clip shows – apart from roof, floor and other uninteresting objects – that in the very back of the hall you do actually find Michele Torpedine and Barbara Vitali standing, enjoying it all.
The easiest guy to follow was Gianluca due to his white suit at this stage – I caught a glimpse of him getting up to them to say hi, and back again into the mass of people – while at the very end of the clip a split second Piero among the fans at the first row appears. Sorry for the quality and mess in this clip, but I thought you might enjoy seeing it anyhow.
Piero takes it all – almost…
It has been interesting to follow Piero over the last 3 years or so as he seems to evolve technically and artistically from concert to concert – this time no difference. In Verona he proved that he was ready for the bigger opera scenes and this he repeated this evening. His arias seemed flawless and he delivered them with great confidence.
And this did not pass unnoticed! The audience loved him and gave him one big standing ovation following the next. Kind of interesting to note as no doubt only few in the audience are true opera fans, but Piero understands to capture everyone’s heart. I myself am neither much into opera – but I do most certainly appreciate the efforts and the perfection with which Piero performs his songs.
Hence, it is not incorrect to say that Piero did take most of the praises home this evening – in fact so much that my husband at a stage, after Gianluca had performed “La Cura” and earned a big standing ovation, commented: “Phew, I am glad that – finally – he did likewise get a huge recognition”.
My husband did actually feel a bit sorry for both Gianluca and Ignazio for not receiving the same overwhelming appreciations as Piero. Or in other words, he found all three equally worthy of standing ovations. 😊
and then it was all over…
All good things come to an end and in no time 2 hrs. and 10 min. had vanished and it was time for the guys to bid us good-bye which they did in their traditional way by singing “Grande Amore” while thanking the conductor, the orchestra, their own musicians etc. etc. and Ignazio doing his backwards countdown “3-2-1” and taking a big jump and away they were without the audience being able to bring them back to stage for “extras” in spite of long lasting standing ovations. I always find myself in an awesome vacuum following such an intense and much looked forward to experience and I need time to digest it all.
Luckily, we had a lovely little balcony to our hotel apartment so husband and I had the opportunity to sit down in the warm, mild Italian summer night and enjoy a glass of wine and take it all a bit better before calling it a day.
Teatro Arcimboldi, Milan
The guys have clearly expressed their excitement about Theatro Arcimboldi – based on the intimacy and possibility to get closer to their audience – and I can follow their thinking to a certain degree.
At the concert Ignazio did highlight another positive angle – no worries for rain 😁.
Having said this I do, however, find that there are pros and cons at all venues and in this case – apart from being stock if seated on one of the balconies and hence not able to join in the “fun” when they mingle with the audience (read, if you go be sure to purchase seats on the floor) well, then I missed thoroughly “big screens”. I didn’t realize until then how much they add to the experience. Seated high on my balcony I could hardly see who was whom – just 3 little “ants” moving about – and I had no idea as to whether Ignazio was having a big beard or a goatee only; what kind of glasses Piero was wearing nor if Gianluca did still have his signature curl or… Even worse, I could not see and enjoy their gorgeous smiles nor perceive their little sweet antics such as giving each other a high five, a caring hug or a kiss on the cheek… – these things that are so special for the IL VOLO guys.
I do now realize how much more I enjoy their music being able to watch their facial expressions and hence, admittedly, you get more out of watching a video or TV-transmission than being present at a live concert – unless you are seated in the very front rows and/or big screens are provided for. Add to that the difficulties of getting to/from Teatro Arcimboldi. It is located in a suburban area next to a University some 25 minutes by Metro from downtown Milan and with few hotels in the close vicinity only. Ignazio mentions in a video that you can easily access the theatre by train – that is true, but he forgets to mention that there are few or no trains leaving from this regional station after midnight, so no way of getting back home the same evening by this means of transportation. The Metro runs a little later but personally we do not feel comfortable using it late at night – after all Milan is a big city – and getting hold of a taxi could be difficult, so we ended up purchasing the most expensive accommodation on our entire trip just in order to be within close walking distance of this venue. And without the big screens… I am not sure that we will choose Milan for our next IL VOLO experience. Verona seems like a much more attractive venue in a lovely environment with many accommodation options and easy access – so in spite of the possibility of rain, well, I think – as a foreigner and tourist – that I will prefer to go there. (in Arena)
In the footsteps of IL VOLO.
Luckily, the concert in Milan was only the very beginning of our 2-weeks long holiday in Italy, so albeit having to leave Milan and IL VOLO behind the following morning, we were having some great and lovely experiences to look forward to. Having visited the major Italian tourist areas several times before we had decided to do something new – and inspired by the IL VOLO guys – I had planned an out of the ordinary Italian holiday itinerary including among others a visit to The Frasassi Caves (where they filmed the Storaro documentary singing Morricone), we enjoyed refreshments at the town square in the lovely town of Ascoli di Piceno, (where they performed a fantastic al fresco concert this summer and Gianluca un-announced appeared on his own at a special event), enjoyed swimming and lounging at the inviting sandy beach of Roseto as well as explored the beautiful and awesome landscapes and hidden medieval towns in Abruzzo (Gianluca’s home base).
So IL VOLO was not out of mind in spite of out of sight, the following weeks and we learned a lot new about Italy. Next time we must explore Sicily – a region we have yet to visit too. The IL VOLO guys ought to receive a price of honor – namely the one of being fantastic ambassadors of their country!
Prior to the Milan concert my husband and I did likewise have the opportunity to meet up with Daniela for a very lovely evening in Brescia. Only sad that she could not join us at the concert the following evening, but it is always great to meet up with fellow fans. The IL VOLO guys most certainly connect us regardless of nationality, age or social backgrounds. This is exercising international understanding in the very best way. 😉
Thank you so very much for taking the time to read my story – I hope you have enjoyed my comments and reflections. Warmest greetings – KIRSTEN❤
I was translating Il Volo’s long interview on Radio 102.5 for you, but I stopped momentarily to translate this nice review on the Milan concerts for you.
As I already told you, after the concerts many articles spoke well of Il Volo and also many news programs,…… is something changing?
But first read this nice interview published by the DEJAVU blog and written by Cristina Rampini . I will translate it for you all.
IL VOLO: unique, sensational, amazing at the Arcimboldi Theater in Milan. Our review.
“The theater is a more intimate place that brings us closer to the Italian public who has followed us from the beginning and whose great support we always feel.”
IL VOLO with their show “Tutti per uno” will overwhelm the audience at the Arcimboldi Theater in Milan for six dates: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9 September!
It is the first time that Il Volo performs in a theater in Italy, thus establishing a special bond with the audience in a more intimate atmosphere. “Tutti per uno”, shown for the first time in June at the Verona Arena and broadcast on Canale 5, winning the prime time share, is a show that creates a magical harmony, transporting viewers on an unforgettable journey.
On stage, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca, accompanied by the Orchestra, in addition to performing their classics that have now entered the hearts of fans, take turns giving the public their solo voices.
We at DejaVu were present on September 3rd and we are still intoxicated by it.
THE SHOW
By joking with each other and telling anecdotes related to their careers, the trio creates an atmosphere of familiarity that envelops the entire theater.
Among the songs in the setlist there is no shortage of “Ecstasy Of Gold”, from their latest album “Il Volo Sings Morricone”, their hit “Grande amore” and the classics of Italian song such as “Il Mondo” and “Io che non vivo” and of operas such as “Nessun dorma” and “Luceavan le Stelle”.
OUR REVIEW
When you say “know how to sing” you really can’t help but say “Il Volo”.
Three young artists who overwhelm the audience with vocals that are absolutely different from each other but of a disarming quality.
A mastery of the stage that is intertwined with a vocal and expressive ability of true Big that overwhelms the audience in a show lasting over two hours.
This new “Tutti per Uno” format highlights the musical tastes of the three and gives us a glimpse of the history of incredible international music.
PIERO, a lyrical range and technical precision that make him ready to take on great roles in Italian melodrama. In particular, he leaves us speechless with his interpretation of “Mamma, il vino è generous”, an aria taken from Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana. (I’m sorry for those who dispute this simply because of archaic mental prototypes).
IGNAZIO, or “the voice”. Disarming vocal extension with a tightness even in the high notes that leaves you speechless. The star of the stage with his jokes and his irony who also doesn’t fail to make us cry with a splendid reinterpretation of “At least you in the universe” by Mia Martini.
GIANLUCA, always fascinating (but since super in love also very tender) takes us into the world of the Beatles, of the legendary Elvis Presley without leaving out precious jewels of Italian song such as “La cura” by Battiato of which he does an intense and highly emotional revisitation with a voice that enchants you from the first notes also for its truly enveloping timbre.
Great music, great voices, great stage performance… a show to absolutely see.
The only sadness: very few young people in the audience and this must make us reflect a lot on the fact that it is necessary to “educate” the new generations about good music by giving them the critical ability to distinguish the difference between real music, real artists and pseudo artists.
And finally a truly truthful review, which leaves nothing to chance.
The writer does not report “hearsay”, she was present at the concert and was impressed in a very positive sense. ☺
The comments on the voices and personalities of Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca are very beautiful and spot on.
I had the impression, reading this review, that the writer did not have any restrictions or impediments to write what she saw at full speed.
I was very happy, even elated, it’s been a long time since we read such a beautiful and accurate review.
In recent days, after the concerts in Milan, there have been many positive comments and even good reviews, but this is certainly the best.
There was another nice review, but in that one, I had the impression that whoever wrote it, while paying many compliments to the boys, justified their success because they use “popular” songs that aim for the heart and harmonies to very long times……..well, I don’t agree, being successful in Italy with the repertoire that Il Volo presents is not at all easy, in fact it isn’t easy at all because here, everything that it is part of our tradition is considered old, out of fashion. And what about their harmonies…. they are unbeatable and I challenge our other Italian singers to do similar ones.
The final reflection of the article DEJAVU is very beautiful, it’s true, our young people are not used to listening to beautiful songs even by recent song writers, if they don’t have rap or urban rhythms, in short rhythms that are successful now here in Italy.
Our young people don’t listen to Il Volo at all, also due to the denigrating campaign that Il Volo has had from the press which has always defined them as “old”.
But people are tired of the new rhythms, which have also brought rudeness, vulgarity and inelegance.
Something is changing and our favorites are getting more and more support and this makes me really happy.
In the meantime, you will think that Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca will be deservedly resting, after 6 concerts and in view of the concert in Zurich on the 17th………. this is not really the case.
Three days after the concerts in Milan, Gianluca gave a performance, singing Hallelujah alone during a fund-raising square party in Ascoli Piceno.
“Just over a month after the concert with Il Volo in Piazza del Popolo, I find myself here in this wonderful city for a special appointment with Dardust. Please follow us, there will be lots of guests.”
And here are some brief pieces of the song.
This event is organized by Dardust (he is a pianist, as well as an excellent modern composer and producer well known in Italy). It is a memorial in memory of a boy who died of leukemia and the proceeds will go to AIL, the Italian Leukemia Association.
In his performance, Gianluca is accompanied on the piano by Dardust (it’s a stage name, in reality his name is Dario Faini).
GIANLUCA= Thank you for your presence and solidarity, the goodness can also be perceived from here.
DARDUST= Thank you.
GIANLUCA= And then thank you also for the welcome and love you gave us in our concert which was held here in Ascoli with Il Volo almost two months ago. Thanks so much for the support, thanks again.
(A warm hug between Dardust and Gianluca)
Gianluca with Dardust and Saturnino . On the fifth evening in Milan, Saturnino performed as a guitarist, accompanying Ignazio in the song “You Make Me Feel”.
In this photo, Gianluca is next to Giorgia, a very good Italian singer (the song E POI that Ignazio sings in concert is hers). Giorgia performed in the final part of the event.
In this photo Gianluca hugs Giorgia and shows the photo taken with Giorgia 15 years ago on his cell phone.
Well done Gianluca, even participating in this event honors you.
But that’s not all, Il Volo has announced that on the evening of Saturday 16th he will be in Verona and will participate in the Tim Music Awards.
So on Saturday evening we will see them on TV together with many other singers and the following day they will be in concert in Zurich………in short, never a moment’s break!!
Speaking of the concert in Zurich, Il Volo was interviewed by RSI musica, a truly beautiful interview, activate the English subtitles and rejoice. ☺
I really liked this interview, the place chosen was beautiful, the interviewer Isabel Piazza was good and our dear Ignazio, Gianluca and Piero were wonderful and very relaxed, they answered exhaustively and always with education and depth to the beautiful and interesting questions. TOP! ❤❤❤
And after this nice interview, I can go back to translating the RTL 102.5 interview.
Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca are on summer vacation, but in the monthly LA FRECCIA, printed by the Italian Railways, a nice interview has been published which I am now translating for you, and what about the wonderful cover?? ❤❤❤
Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero. Three different characters, three different depths of thought, three personal voices which, thanks to a truly special chemistry, made up of glances and nods of assent, complement each other perfectly merging into a single voice, that of the Il Volo group.
At less than 30 years old they have lived unique experiences, bringing their passion for music all over the world. Simplicity is true elegance and Gianluca Ginoble, Ignazio Boschetto and Piero Barone are full testimony to this.
For 6 days, on 2,3,4 and then on 6,8 and 9 September, they will be at the Arcimboldi Theater in Milan with Tutti Per Uno (All For One), a show where their voices will come together to tell their story and their values, directly contact with the public.
Those who come from far away and don’t want to miss the event can take the Frecciarossa, the official concert train.
What does ALL FOR ONE mean to you?
IGNAZIO= It is the desire to show our three personalities. We presented it at the Verona Arena with two episodes on Canale 5 and it was a great television success. In September we take it to the theatre, a more intimate place, which allows us to have the spectators close.
GIANLUCA= We love our audience, who have been following us for almost 15 years. The great fortune is to be able to go on stage and express who you really are. We were born as child prodigies, over time we have evolved, proving that we are not meteors. Now the time has come for artistic maturity, to show what we are individually. We are three leaders, each with its own identity. It is important for us that the public perceive it.
What is left of those three children?
PIERO= Fortunately, the child in each of us is still there, capable of being surprised by each concert, by each result obtained.
Without him, the passion for this profession would also end.
We have a great fortune in common, that of always trying to think big, all three of us committing ourselves in the same way. All for one was a great commitment, because we wanted to highlight our individual vocal characteristics without distorting the sense of the group.
There is no perceived “routine” in your shows. It’s different every time.
PIERO= It must be like this, the saddest thing is getting used to it. Every time you look your audience in the eye from the stage, you know they are there to share your art.
GIANLUCA= We are constantly evolving, every day we see things with different eyes and we try to convey new emotions.
What are your best qualities?
IGNAZIO= Surely the stubbornness, stubbornness and discipline in achieving a goal. This characterizes all of us. We are three independent artists who always want the good of the group. Sometimes it is normal that we go a little out of line, but the beauty is in transmitting authenticity with our music.
GIANLUCA= It was difficult to consolidate success. Our need, in this phase of our career, is to demonstrate that we are not just three tenors, also because my vocality is a baritone, but three singers. This is the goal for the next few years, especially in Italy. You started and continued with a popular repertoire, was it a choice?
PIERO= Honestly, at 14 it’s very difficult to choose what to sing. We met by chance on a TV show, nothing was planned and someone decided to put us together. We didn’t even know each other, let alone decide the repertoire. We achieved our first successes thanks to the popularity and strength of the songs we sang, transmitted by our grandparents and part of Italian culture.
Growing up we felt the need to have our singles and some unpublished works, such as Grande Amore, from 2015. Today the repertoire also depends on the country in which we perform: in Japan they love classical music more, while in South America they prefer our unpublished works.
GIANLUCA= The concert schedule in Warsaw is totally different from that of Mexico City. In Tokyo we sing with symphony orchestra, while in South America we are accompanied by band and orchestra.
In the United States we range from aire d’opera to Elvis Presley. And an incredible thing is that in 2011 we had a nomination for the Latin Grammy Awards with a Spanish repertoire. The public likes this dynamism.
IGNAZIO= Among other things we have a lot of fun, because that’s what we like to do. It is the fortune of those who have transformed their passion into a job.
How do you divide the tasks among you?
GIANLUCA= There are those who deal more with management, those who have a more creative and artistic vision, those who dedicate themselves to sound. There are roles, but everyone can intervene on everything. We have respect and esteem for each other: after all, only in this way can we move forward.
How do you always agree?
IGNAZIO= You have to be intelligent, have the ability to accept the ideas of others and look for a meeting point when you are in conflict. Wanting the good of the group has always been our strength.
The next goal?
PIERO= We would like to expand our repertoire of unpublished works. Grande Amore was a turning point that allowed us to do a lot, leading us to duet with great guests in Tutti Per Uno, to create something beautiful together, always with the aim of surprising our audience.
What is the beauty of life for you?
GIANLUCA= Having special people next to you, who allow you to grow, make you better every day and are able to listen to you.
IGNAZIO= Being able to feel alive every day, with enthusiasm and energy. At our age, everything should be fine. But we grew up fast. We are aware of the great opportunities we have had and, precisely for this reason, we try to aim higher and higher.
PIERO= The beautiful thing in life is to enjoy it. We rush too much, sometimes we need to have the strength to stop and reflect to identify the real priorities.
You don’t have star attitudes.
PIERO= They often define us as three humble boys, actually, I think the right term is educated. We are the reflection of how we grew up, of the values that our families have passed on to us. And we are very similar in this.
GIANLUCA= For people of our age it is important to understand that a secret to living more peacefully is to really put yourself in the other’s shoes: knowing how to respond to a message from a parent who asks you how it’s going or to that of a colleague who could be disappointed. Open up to sensitivity and empathy.
Did your families support you?
IGNAZIO= They have always been part of our growth and our career. And it is still like this today. They have helped us to be consistent, to make efforts and sacrifices without resting on our laurels.
Where did you grow up?
IGNAZIO= Traveling (laughs). I was born in Bologna, then I moved to Sicily to return to the Emilian city (Bologna) after the victory of Sanremo in 2015. Moving from here is more practical.
GIANLUCA= Me near the sea, in a small village of 600 souls called Montepagano, a fraction of Roseto degli Abruzzi, in the province of Teramo. Every morning I had coffee with my grandfather and his friends, who played cards. I have wonderful memories of summers cycling and walking on the beach. We had a normal childhood, then, upset by the sudden change in our lives, we matured quickly.
PIERO= I was born, raised and continue to live in Naro, a municipality that is part of the Agrigento consortium. Knowing that you have a place where you can regenerate after long tours is very important to me. Here people are sincere, they don’t know what ambiguity is and they see me as one of them.
What is the perfume of your childhood?
IGNAZIO= For me it is that of the land behind my house, in Sicily, where I used to play with my cousins building huts, soccer goals and motocross tracks to be covered strictly by bicycle.
GIANLUCA= I perfectly remember the smell of the donut that my grandmother used to prepare when I went to her house. Today my mom does it and the perfume always reminds me of the euphoria I felt going to my grandparents’ house, a bit like the madeleine for Proust. It is my personal search for lost time, for that infantile part that will never die.
PIERO= For me it’s the smells that the ground gives off after the storm, it’s the scent of being in the countryside with my grandparents. A mixture of earth and rain combined with the citrus aroma that came from the lemon and orange trees. Indescribable and never found elsewhere. Perhaps these are precisely the reasons why I can’t adapt to a big city.
IGNAZIO= I know that magic. When I was little and it rained, in the morning my friends and I went to collect snails.
GIANLUCA= And if he ate them raw (laughs).
With your concerts you have had enormous success in big cities of the world. What does it feel like?
GIANLUCA= Being able to express your passion exponentially and knowing that from New York to Tokyo there is someone waiting for you is the most beautiful thing that can happen to an artist. We hope, thanks to our audience, to be able to travel and open our minds to new horizons for a long time to come.
Speaking of travel, what emotion does taking the train arouse in you?
IGNAZIO= I’ve always been passionate about planes, but I must admit that today, the best way to travel in Italy is by train. It is also one of the reasons why I moved to Bologna, with the high-speed train you are in Florence in just over half an hour and in Milan in about an hour. In less than four you can reach Rome and Naples. Once, during a trip on the Frecciarossa, I was able to visit the cockpit, a sort of spaceship. Very cool. I also remember a train journey from New York to Washington as particularly exciting.
PIERO= In Japan we also got on the Shimkansen, the Japanese high-speed trains. But our Frecce are no different, a real Italian pride. We need to stop complaining about the things that don’t work and appreciate the things that work. The Italian railway service is of the highest level and if I can choose which means to travel with, for me it is always the train.
GIANLUCA= I would then add that there is no train without a book and there is no book without a train. Getting on board also means dedicating some time to yourself to think and reflect, read and get lost. You can fall in love on the train, it’s a true metaphor for life. (Piero and Ignazio smile)
What impression did it give you to know that Silvio Berlusconi was a big fan of yours?
PIERO= When in 2015 we participated in the Eurovision Song Contest, he supported and supported us. Many ideas and projects were then born from his ideas, so much so that our manager Michele Torpedine defined him as the fourth member of Il Volo, always present behind the scenes. We recently closed an agreement with Mediaset for next year. A perfect harmony has been created with the company and knowing that those who have always led it appreciated us, is a reason for great happiness. We are sympathetic to the family for the loss they have suffered. You can have all the talent in the world, but if you don’t have someone who believes in you, it becomes very difficult.
Which foreign country stole your heart?
GIANLUCA= In my case Japan. Eastern culture allows you to experience something very different from what we are used to.
IGNAZIO= Every country leaves us something. In South America, for example, fans chased after our cars for a photo with us.
PIERO= In my opinion you can steal something from every culture. It has to do with that attitude that drives us to look for the best in each country and take it away with us. The entrepreneurial mentality of the United States, the great respect towards the neighbor who lives in Japan. South America’s ability to face life with a smile. Of Italy, a foreigner would undoubtedly appreciate the quality of life.
Can you always find time for selfies and autographs?
GIANLUCA= An artist has to worry when they no longer ask him for a photo together.
IGNAZIO= We are first of all people and then characters. Sometimes you have days in which you are dazed, as we say in Sicily, moments in which you have little energy and appear less available, but that is not the case. We are always happy to meet our audience.
What do you love in people and what do you hate?
GIANLUCA= I borrow the words of Erich Fromm, the great German psychoanalyst. He said he couldn’t bear people who were amorphous, soulless, incapable of having a constructive dialogue or sharing ideas. Here, also in my opinion, those are the negative people. Instead, I love to surround myself with those who allow me to grow artistically and personally.
IGNAZIO= There are many people like those described by Fromm. If Amedeo Modigliani were still alive, today he would have painted thousands of faces without eyes.
PIERO= Instead I appreciate more than anything else the education that rewards and will always reward.
We conclude by thinking about one of the joys of life: food. Are you more for the table or for the kitchen?
IGNAZIO= I prefer to stay in the kitchen all my life.
GIANLUCA= I, on the other hand, am more of a table type. I like starred restaurants, two or three hour tastings accompanied by a good glass of wine. We had lunch in Massimo Bottura’s restaurant, an unforgettable experience.
PIERO= I have a wonderful relationship with food. I need to eat, I play a lot of sport and I don’t give up anything at the table. I run often, I’m also preparing for the NYC marathon.
IGNAZIO= It’s true, we don’t know who he’s running from, but he always runs.
Gianluca, Andrea Radic (interviewed), Piero e Ignazio.
Here instead is the video made by Andrea Radic who interviewed Il Volo and in the end, after meeting them, wanted to say a few things.
RADIC= Dear friends, Il Volo in its splendor, Gianluca Ignazio and Piero, from September 2 at the Arcimboldi in Milan, the first time in a theater in Italy, with a wonderful show, you can’t miss it, and in August on the Freccia (the train), our chat.
I really discovered how much humanity, passion, professionalism there is in these gentlemen.
GIANLUCA= See you on all trains, then.
PIERO= You can read our interview on all Frecciarossa trains.
IGNAZIO= And if the newspaper is on the seat, first remove it, don’t sit on it!
RADIC= Exactly (laughter). Great.
GIANLUCA= See you at the theater!
To go from Bologna to Caserta, Ignazio also used the Frecciarossa train, and guess what he found on the seat? 😁
And in this video, Ignazio promotes Italian trains a bit.
IGNAZIO= Frecciarossa arrived. I’m in Florence, I’m going to Naples (Reggia di Caserta).
This is one of the reasons why I travel with Frecciarossa: comfortable, it avoids queues on the motorway, I hate traffic. Crazy, then it’s easy to reach Milan for our concert in September at the Arcimboldi, from any city, Turin, Bologna, Rome, from any city Frecciarossa, come to Milan, stroll around the Arcimboldi theater, perfect!
And then I must say that they have good tastes (he shows the newspaper with their interview) 😁
And here is the promo video published on the Facebook page of the Italian railways, which presents the newspaper that all the people who will travel on the Freccia train in the month of August will find this newspaper for free.
Truly a beautiful interview with excellent questions which our sweet young men answered as always with maturity and great knowledge of things.
In spite of “just” having been in Rome back in December to enjoy the guys’ last concert in 2022, I did immediately get very excited when reading the announcement that IL VOLO would come to Verona primo May. A new craving arose… My husband would be away working in Norway these dates, so should I try to fly down on my own… Well, albeit Verona isn’t exactly around the corner from Copenhagen, Denmark, where I live, it is still “just” some 2½ hrs. away by air, so… And with concert tickets running half of the prices in my country and budget airline Ryanair offering very reasonable tickets to Italy, it didn’t take me long to convince my husband, that it would be a perfect thing for me to do while he was gone 😉. Talking it over with my good Italian friend Daniela – as you all know so well here – it was soon decided that I should come and she would help me with the ticket and practical arrangements. So she was on her toes at 10:00am sharp when the pre-sale opened and succeeded in getting us good seats on second row. Top! Jihaa – once again I was to experience IL VOLO live. 😀 💓
That the weather wouldn’t be particular good in Verona didn’t come as a surprise… I had followed the forecast for more than a week before my departure – but yet again, last June when my husband and I were in Verona it did likewise rain on the very day of the concert but cleared totally up in due time, so why shouldn’t it do that again? I was optimistic. Having said so I did, however, pack my long, warm woolen winter coat – in spite of Daniela having told me that it would be way too much for a spring day in Italy – but to-day I am truly glad I did and thanks to same I believe I avoided catching a huge cold or pneumonia as indeed it came in handy! Both on my arrival day – and on the very day – the weather was, however, pretty acceptable with a mild temperature, slight overcast and a tiny bit of drizzling only, so things were looking quite promising for a while. Till the very moment we set out for Verona. The first bit of rain drummed on the windshield. Well, it would pass, no doubt. But having reached Verona, parked and walked the short distance to the lovely square in front of the Arena, it was no longer just drizzling, nor a little bit of summer rain – it started pouring seriously… One hour before the concert we were admitted to the Arena, but everyone crowded together in the dry shelter under the historical buildings as by now it was raining cats and dogs! The street sellers had a big night exchanging their toys and souvenirs with a range of small umbrellas and rain covers – and the demand was huge. Soon we were a group of hooded people in all colors letting no-one detect the fine clothing that we so carefully had chosen to wear at this event and now all hidden by rain gear! We couldn’t be standing there forever, however, and we were directed into the beautiful Arena and to our seats.
Last time here I did almost lose my breath from the lovely sight and the wings of history when entering these more than 2000 years old roman ruins, but focus this eve was on everything else – namely on all the people working on and around the stage trying to swipe off waters from same and re-organizing entrance areas and covering up cameras etc. The possibility of a cancellation was still rather open, so I followed each single move carefully. Fortunately, most of the stage is covered by a big roof, but it was obvious that several meters into the stage the floor was wet and would continue to be so… And what about microphones? The lightening? And the instruments? Would they be able to work in the now more than heavily pouring rain? Daniela and I had planned to meet up with several fans from Italy and abroad, but it was simply not possible to move around under these conditions. Once seated I did actually not get up a single time as it would mean your seat getting all wet again and water from your rain cover would drip down and sneak in under same. So sadly we had to give up on that. Luckily we had met a few people while sheltered by the entrance and others made a round in front of us waving a big hello. But a great social get-together never occurred. All the while the rain got worse and worse… Soon drops from my hood ran down my face and clouded my glasses only to flow further and down into my lap forming little pools that evidently flowed over and made little waterfalls down to my knees and legs and soon made me soaking wet where not sheltered by the cover. Trying to take photos/videos meant having to get your arms and hands out in the free and allowing waters to sneak in from the sides, so in general I gave up on doing it as it was likewise more or less impossible to press the buttons or zoom with the by now drenching wet hands. Unfortunately, it did likewise mean, that clapping my hands would not be an option unless it was under the rain cover where it could hardly be heard… Well, but few minutes before 21:00 hrs. the musicians did, however, start to enter the stage – and a voice announced that the concert would go on and carried through to the end. What a relief 😁!
The stage was already lit up in a bright blue setting but few minutes later a big “fanfare” sounded and Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero marched in on stage from the right – most likely not as planned as at the second show they had a separate entrance ceremony – but, finally, caught in the bright spotlight, were our 3 beloved guys immediately setting in with the first tones of “Granada”. That this concert had a very special purpose did quickly show, as following Piero’s usual classical interpretation of this song Gianluca did suddenly step aside dragging an oldfashioned microphone across the scene changing the mood of the song into a typical crooner-swing style version before in the end Ignazio took over and the mood once again changed – now into a more modern pop/rock song. Yes, they had a message! Add to that their appearances. Albeit all dressed in black they were so absolutely not on the same page. Piero wore a fine black tux with a bit of bling-bling and a white rose looking exactly as elegant as one can expect of an opera singer. Gianluca wore a suit of the finest soft leather from top to bottom including a pair of rather tight fitting trousers with that typical 70-style sway at the feet that most of us recall so well and looking stunningly sexy, while Ignazio had jumped on the bandwagon of the latest trend wearing an oversized jacket and way too long baggy trousers true 1930 style, that in all honesty didn’t do him any good but made him look pretty heavy. Knowing Ignazio though he doesn’t really care what he wears and the choice must have been the one of a stylist and not particularly one of his, I believe. The whole scenario did, however, immediately signalize that this show was all about the IL VOLO guys showing and introducing to us their individual characters and personal choices of music genres and to prove that IL VOLO is much more than just 3 guys singing “O Solo Mio” together. A grand opening!
Not knowing what to expect of the show having just a few weeks prior to same learned of the fact that the guys would have a load of local Italian guest-stars join them, I was curious as to how that was going to function – but shortly following the guys singing a couple of their traditional songs the very first guest was asked to the stage – and it would appear that these guests were not to perform on their own but rather in duets with one or more of the IL VOLO guys. Coming from Denmark – and hence being a foreigner – I must admit that I had never heard of any of the invited Italian artists before, so I am sorry to admit that I cannot tell you whom they were and what they were singing.. Sorry. But there were quite a number of artists and having no program at hand, I cannot remember who was who. I trust, however, that Daniela will fill you all in as to this issue in her article. These artists performed their own hit-songs joined by one or more of the IL VOLO guys – and according to the response from the audience they were well known by the locals who were happily singing along in the rain, so we are talking about rather popular artists loved by the Italian people. And all of absolute different characters as well as representing various musical genres. Some were great – some gave the duets an synergy effect and raise the songs to a higher level – while yet others admittedly didn’t exactly sound too good due to the voices not truly suit each other. I tend to think that some of these guests most likely were invited out of a planned strategy. Namely to show and prove how fantastic singers and performers the IL VOLO guys are no matter whom they are coupled with nor what kind of genre of music they are introduced to. The guys shined throughout the evening and did most certainly show that they master it all including showmanship and hosting.
A few of the duets did stand out though – and I should like to mention among others the tall singer Mario Biondi with whom i.e. Ignazio did a fabulous soul song: “You make me feel like a natural woman” by Aretha Franklin and the Russian opera singer Aida Garifullina who coupled with Guianluca in a beautiful duet: “Angels” by Robbie Williams and looking stunningly pretty in a pink dream of a dress. Gianluca looked almost star-struck at her and did obviously enjoy singing with her. But first and foremost when Aida joined Piero in a piece from “La Traviata” a major highlight was born!. A brilliant match for Piero who in her got a partner of his own caliber – or above – inspiring him to perform better than ever. And did they ever look good together! Like a prince and his princess. Piero’s fine tux was in place! And they were about the sweetest when in the end they did a bit of waltzing. Piero shone as the brightest star!
Ignazio Boschetto (Il Volo) ft. Mario Biondi – You make me feel like a natural woman
Aida Garifullina & Gianluca Ginoble (Il Volo) – Angel
As indicated in the name of the show a larger number of songs by our guys were anticipated – and I believe we were pampered with some 4-5 songs from each of them. Some we have heard before but also totally new ones. Piero delighted us with several opera arias the names of which I do, unfortunately, not know. But he delivered them brilliantly and did once again prove that his many hours of studying opera have so absolutely not been in vain. He is improving for each time I hear him. Very soon he is going to reach his next goal – to stand on the famous La Scala stage in Milan. He is ready! Bravo Piero!
Ignazio had chosen to show us various types of songs including one in which he accompanied himself by guitar – and then he did once again go down the lane of interpreting a mega hit song by a world famous female singer, and this time none the less than one of Whitney Houston’s, namely: “I will always love you”. Who would ever dare follow in the footsteps of Whitney Houston? Our dear Ignazio, of course. And boy did he ever nail it! I don’t know what it is with Ignazio and why he wants to sing songs by these famous female singers, but he is capable of making the songs “his” – taking ownerships of same. Fantastic! And I heard that he was singing Celine Dion’s immortal “My heart goes on” Wednesday night. Likewise with great success. He is awesome…. A rascal you do never know what to expect from, but you can always be sure that he delivers!
Gianluca had a ball on stage not letting us forget that he is a great admirer of Elvis Presley and that type of music and next to his beautiful version of “Can’t stop falling in love with you” (probably song to his girlfriend seated in the audience) he went down the same road singing the popular 60th rock tune “Crazy little thing called love” by Freddie Mercury/Queen dragging the microphone behind him and imitating moves and steps from Elvis/Travolta/Mercury’s 50th and 60th shows. I don’t think we have ever seen him so freely and loose on stage before – and he loved it. No doubt he has been working hard on these performances rehearsing steps and moves over and over and crossed some personal limits too doing so. Personally, I don’t know what to think… His voice is so beautiful and he sings fabulously – but dancing is not his force and these performances seems more like fantastic resemblances of his idols rather than Gianluca showing us the best of himself… I know I am a bit harsh here. In Denmark we have a saying: “Whom you love you chastise” – and I cannot hide that Gianluca is my favorite Il VOLO and I love him in all aspects. So out of love to him I wish he would have more confidence in himself and the courage to interpret the chosen songs in his very own way instead of resembling others. To me Gianluca has a much greater voice and a much larger potential than any of the singers he tries to imitate. He has been given a voice beyond compare – a unique gift – and he owes to himself and the world to make good use of it. Hence, if he feels more comfortable sitting on a chair with closed eyes fully emerging into a song – then let it be. I recall with great fondness his version of i.e. “Mi Mancherai” – standing totally still on the stage but having the audience fully in his hands and giving me the chills. He mesmerizes us when he becomes one with the song. He is capable of much more and ought to challenge himself further in songs like i.e. “New York, New York” (by Sinatra) or the main theme of “The Phantom of the Opera”. Sorry, Gianluca. I’m giving you assignments ;-). Having said this, he enchanted and surprised us all following with a Beatles medley – beautifully performed. I have always thought it would be interesting to have the guys sing Beatles as actually many of these songs have some extraordinary cords/harmonies that – at the time – you did not normally hear pop groups use or sing. And I bet IL VOLO would be able to do something awesome with these songs. Well, we didn’t get the harmonies but we got a lovely medley beautifully presented by Gianluca. Kudos!
In similarity with others I had a certain extended fear that the special concept of this concert might have given us less IL VOLO and more other Italian artists. I couldn’t have been more wrong! The extended length of the concert – 3½ hrs. – gave them ample time to not only sing duets with all the guest performers but likewise to sing more individual soli than normally while likewise pampering us with a large selection of their regular repertoire. So many that I cannot even recall them all, but among others: Il Mondo; The Ecstasy of Gold; Telefonado; Amore Così Grande; Volare; Grande Amore, A Chi mi dice, My Way and many others. So we were in no way let down – on the contrary. We got more than a “normal” IL VOLO Concert while all the guest performances were true VALUE ADDED BONUS! So we need to have full confidence in the guys knowing that they will always deliver! On top we got a full 24 piece symphony orchestra, an opera choir, a beautiful light-show, a lovely TV hostess who didn’t take over but filled in the gaps in a fine way and as such: A BRILLIANT SHOW! And in spite ending up soaking wet and cold – would I have done it again? You bet I would! It was worth all the trouble and each single rain drop. My only regret: I would have loved to clap my hands red in excitement and giving standing ovations over and over – but I didn’t due to the rain and the effect that would have followed. So sorry guys.
Credit to owners of all photos and videos.
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
