May 1st, Arena di Verona, the first of two Il Volo concerts – TUTTI PER UNO and I was there!!!
MAGNIFICENT! 💗💗💗
This single word encompasses everything and must make you understand in a moment my personal opinion on what I have seen, and even if we have seen a beautiful show under an incessant rain, it was wonderful, but now as usual I describe everything from the start.
Unfortunately the forecasts predicted rain and cold for the evening of the concert, but, as usual, we hoped it wasn’t like that.
Instead, all predictions have sadly came true.
The morning started with big clouds and some light rain but nothing special.
Some friends who were already in Verona wrote to me that it was cloudy but not raining and so I was very hopeful for the evening.
As the time to go to Verona approached, the clouds became more and more and it started to rain, a light but insistent drizzle.
We left for Verona, me, my husband, my son’s mother-in-law and Kirsten from Denmark, who came especially for the concert.
Shortly after the finish we entered the Arena and under the ancient vaults, sheltered, all the people put on rain ponchos, in short, we all seemed hooded but we all took our seats and waited for the beginning of the show, unfortunately the rain became more and more insistent.
I tell you right away that I took a few photos and a couple of short videos, because it was difficult under the rain and then I thought after that there would be a good TV shoot.
Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca entered the stage, and………. boy, what an entrance, what a fantastic scenography, all very well organised. They started right away with Granada, but not the usual song, or rather, the usual song but sung in three different ways, right away it was clear that Gianluca, Ignazio, and Piero wanted to demonstrate three different styles, three ways of singing the same song, in fact Piero interpreted in a classic way, then Gianluca in a more swing way and Ignazio in a more pop way, beautiful!! Their clothes were also different and respected these styles, Piero very elegant in a classic way. Gianluca with a full leather suit and Ignazio with a very baggy and soft suit that didn’t do him full justice.
I had prepared a pen and paper to write down the title of each song, and you will have understood that I could not do anything, but there were so many songs, three and a half hours of show without any interruptions and with our boys always present on the stage.
There were a lot of guests, but they didn’t take time away from our boys who duetted with each of them, Italian songs, many unknown to you, but it would be the same if they were new songs.
Some duets have been really fantastic, sweet and important and when there will be the television shooting I will explain better.
Knowing then that Ignazio, Gianluca and Piero believed a lot in this hard work, which was organized entirely by them, I felt particularly proud of the three of them.
Casual, beautiful, kind, and extremely good, they have shown so much talent, so much skill and to be able to range in different styles and not be relegated to performing pieces only for “mature people”, as the Italian audience often thinks, well done, well done !!!
Some parts touched the heart, for what was said and how some songs were sung, but, as promised I’ll explain better later, because some songs have really special lyrics and our boys especially felt this from the bottom of their hearts.
I am referring to Il Volo’s duet with IRAMA, a young Italian singer-songwriter. He presented his song dedicated to his missing grandmother in Sanremo, these words were also perfect for Ignazio and Piero, in fact all four performed the song.
“Wherever you are, wherever I am, in every gesture I will look for you. If you will not there, I will understand it and in silence I will listen to you”, these are the beautiful words of the refrain, which Ignazio sang placing his hand on his heart.❤
The choice of songs was varied, but also modern, all songs that have deep meanings and which I will explain well later.
Ignazio used his beautiful and very high voice to perform songs sung by women, women like Whitney Houston and in some moments he showed his rock side by performing songs by Loredana Bertè, accompanying himself on the guitar.
Piero duetted a splendid MISERERE with Mario Biondi, performed the Cavalleria Rusticana solo and the toast of Traviata in duet with the beautiful and talented Aida Garifullina.
Gianluca dedicated his voice to Elvis, but he also remembered the Beatles and amazed me with the duet with soprano Aida Garifullina singing a splendid Angels.
But these are just a few small examples, because the songs, the duets, the solos were very many and then Il Volo, united, also sang Grande Amore, A chi mi dice, Musica che resta, My way, Ancora, Il Mondo, Caruso, L’amore si muove, Ecstasy of Gold with the choir, in short, lots and lots of music quality.
It was a different concert, but let me tell you, a big step forward our young men have proven to be very good showmen, as well as excellent performers and their voices have always been in the foreground, even with the numerous guests. Even the presence of the Canale 5 presenter was not at all invasive of the time and the little monologue of the actor Edoardo Leo, well done.
As I told you I have made very few videos, but I don’t want to spoil the surprise, there are already many videos on Facebook or YouTube, but wait and you will have the whole show perfectly filmed and explained by me.
I also want to tell you that on this particular evening I was able to notice, and surely Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca also understood it, the great love that the fans of Il Volo have for their favorites, because they resist for a total of 4 hours under an incessant rain and even cold, means to love them very much. And il Volo understood this message, because the following day they wrote:
Thank you Verona, that was wonderful!🙏🏻
Despite the rain that stayed with us for the whole show, you welcomed us and supported us from start to finish with incredible warmth.🤩
We are three very lucky guys and we love you!💗
We’ll see you tomorrow, Wednesday May 3rd for the second “Tutti Per Uno” show, here at the Verona Arena!
The only complaint, the rain, incessant. ☔ This made me very sorry, not only for the discomfort, but for the fact that the audience was unable to fully demonstrate its approval through applause and standing ovations, impossible to get up and the applause was there but under the poncho, really too bad about that!
And now I want to remove a small pebble, because before the concert, when the names of the guests were published, there were many, very many boring and insistent comments protesting for a concert where Il Volo would not have given its best due of the numerous guests, even some offended fans said they wouldn’t come or they would to selling the ticket, and that they was sadness at feeling betrayed.
A good pull on the ears would be good for these people, because they didn’t believe in Il Volo, which has never betrayed us, which has never offered us bad things!!!!
Of course, as I said at the beginning, this is my personal opinion, and when there’s a television video, you’ll tell me yours too.
Another important aspect of the Il Volo concert is the possibility for me to meet Flight Crew friends who live far from Italy, but who have come to Italy for their concerts. The rain prevented some of these meetings, but some happened all the same.
Kirsten from Denmark
Jolanta from Poland
Susan from the U.S.
And then our beautiful nonna Maura, even she, 93 years old, held out until the end of the concert.
I also met Judith from Canada, then Laura and Ugo from Trieste, but I wasn’t able to take a picture with them.
I’m sorry I didn’t meet Maija and her daughter from Minnesota, and our Chinese friend Keisyuu who lives in Rome.
Il Volo is also this, it unites friends from all over the world.
I’m closing like this, concert at the top and now there will be the second part, with lots of other songs, because the program won’t be the same.
Thank you Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca for your beautiful voices and for always being so good!!! 💗💗💗
At the Verona concert, I met some friends of Flight Crew, not many this time, because most of them went to the concert in Taormina, how lucky !!
To friends who came to Verona, I asked them to tell me their impressions of the concert, as I did with Kirsten who did a long review that everyone liked.
The others weren’t that lengthy in their comments, so I’ve grouped them all here.
LAURA and UGO = They are Italians, from Trieste, but I met them through the Flight Crew blog that they always read.
I don’t have a photo with them, but here’s their comment:
“They were amazing, beautiful, elegant and talented. You know that we love classical pieces very much and it was very nice to hear LA DONNA È MOBILE and several pieces taken from operas. The voices were top!”
SUSAN and her brother = They had the tickets for June 4th and I for June 3. We couldn’t meet by a whisker, but it’s like I saw them and hugged them.
Here is Susan’s comment:
Hi dear! What a wonderful concert !! I LOVE the song “Hallelujah”.
The concert was truly fantastic. The orchestra was smaller and the guys seemed different…still as wonderful as ever but more mature….more settled in their skin. They seemed more comfortable with themselves.
The difference in them, after two years without live concerts, was unmistakable.
They are professional men at the top of their game! It was wonderful to hear new tweaks on familiar songs and I especially enjoyed the “montages” they did on several songs with a part of a song leading into another. The duet Gianluca did with Ignazio “Hallelujah” was really good. I never cared much for that song but the way the guys sang that song makes me hope they will include it on an album.
The audience was really involved in the concert..singing along to their favorite songs. There were also quite a few people who attended both nights, the guys asked.
A beautiful evening!
Here is a picture I took.
This year, together with my husband and me, my son’s mother-in-law Mariella also came to the concert.
It was the first time he had come to an Il Volo concert and that he entered the Arena. Here she is with me.
And here is her comment.
Hello dear Daniela. Thank you for inviting me to the wonder of the evening at the Verona Arena with the wonderful trio Il Volo, I have never experienced an evening like this !!! In addition to the skill, which I already knew, I discovered their sympathy, which I never would have thought !! I lived almost three hours, and if I remember correctly 27 thrilling songs. For me, it was the first time of their concert, but now I think it is the first of a long series …. Thanks to Il Volo and their organization ….❤❤❤
Here is my video of the concert finale!
Now I want to tell you some gossip about things that happened during the concert.
First of all Torpedine, it was just a few rows in front of me, I managed to take this photo of him.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t at the beginning of the line, so if I wanted to get up and say hello to someone, it meant getting several people up, and I did it once, but I knocked over the bottles of water of the people who were next to me, so, then I never got up to avoid making more disasters.
The concert was starting, the orchestra was already on stage, and 4 people were advancing in front of me and I recognized them immediately.
I took a picture, it’s not very clear so I’ll explain it to you.
Behind the man with the blue shirt, there is Ernesto, Gianluca’s brother, so Rachele, his girlfriend, can be clearly seen, behind her, you can only see the raised arm of Eleonora, Gianluca’s girlfriend, and after her, Eleonora, Gianluca’s mother.
Without being too conspicuous, they sat two rows in front of me, and never moved from their position.
While Gianluca was singing and descending into the audience, he passed behind them and bent down to give a light kiss to his brother, his girlfriend and his mother.
Everything was done very delicately and without giving too much emphasis. When the concert ended, immediately after the confetti was thrown into the air, I realized that the four of them had already gone out, without being noticed, they were gone, they took advantage of the final moment of distraction to go out.
The same scene was repeated the following evening, but perhaps Gianluca and Eleonora took more courage and Gianluca exposed his love for Eleonora more to the audience.❤❤
I find them adorable !! 😘❤😘
Another nice thing that made me laugh a lot was another thing that happened at the second concert.
During one of the dialogues between the boys, Ignazio teases Gianluca, imitating the expression on the face that Gianluca makes while singing. Laugh watching this video, while Gianluca sings Il Mondo and Ignazio moves his face and mouth.
Some of you have asked for Maestro Grani, he is a good pianist, but also a good conductor, usually abroad he directs the orchestras, but above all he is a great friend of Ignazio, Gianluca and Piero. He always helps them and keeps their voices trained throughout the tour.
I got to know him in Florence during Notte Magica. I was wearing the Il Volo shirt, which he immediately noticed, he said words of great esteem for the boys. We took a picture together.
These are the words and the photo he posted immediately after the concert in Verona, on his Facebook:
È iniziata alla grande !! It got off to a great start !!
Bruno Farinelli, the drummer, is also part of the band. I interviewed him (search for the post named INTERVIEW WITH THE DRUMMER OF IL VOLO) and he had very nice words of esteem for Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca.
Here is his comment and his photo posted on Facebook after the concert.
The two concerts at the Verona Arena with IL VOLO were, as always, a unique emotion !!
A special thanks goes to all the staff, the orchestra, the band and the artists who have been and are simply magnificent !! ❤️
However, I believe that the biggest thanks goes to the 20,000 wonderful fans of IL VOLO, who filled the Arena with love for two days !!! ❤️❤️
Now I want to tell you about a fortunate situation.
After the concert in Verona, on my way home, I read the various comments on the concert on Facebook and I saw the comment of a person who is my friend and who lives near my town, Donatella.
I immediately got in touch with her and asked her if she was at the concert and she replied that she was there with her husband, Maurizio whom I know very well.
She told me that their children had given them concert tickets for Christmas and it was the first time they had come to hear Il Volo in concert and they were thrilled.
What few people know is that after the second concert in Verona, therefore on Sunday 5th, Gianluca and Piero went to Gardaland.
Gardaland is Italian Disneyland, it is the most beautiful amusement park in Italy, and is located near Verona and also in Brescia.
Also Donatella and Maurizio, on Sunday decided to go to Gardaland and you guess with great surprise who they found ????
Gianluca, Piero and Barbara!
I saw the photos posted on Facebook and the comment below says so:
“When you decide to go to Gardaland, and meet Il Volo, a welcome meeting.”
I immediately called Donatella and asked her to tell me about her experience, here are her words:
It was a stroke of luck, because we usually enter Gardaland from the main entrance, but this time we parked where the buses are and entered from the side. We saw them right away and I said to my husband: “Look, Maurizio, are those the guys from Il Volo?”
The guys heard her question and answered, “Yes, it’s us!”
I asked them if we could take a picture and they immediately said yes.
Look Daniela, I didn’t think they were like that. I was really surprised, it seemed to be talking to our children, they were very kind.
Piero told Gianluca: “See he (Maurizio) will ride a roller coaster and she will follow him out of love, I’m sure it is.”
They told us that Gianluca had already been to Gardaland years ago, but he was very young, while Piero had never been there.
They asked Maurizio: “But if you go on a roller coaster, do you go in front or behind?” And he replied “I’m going in front.”
I was stunned, I didn’t think they were so humble, you know, the notoriety, I thought they pulled a little, instead nothing. We were really delighted to have met them.
Wow, what luck Donatella !!!
I’m so happy for you !!
I hope you liked these last things about the Verona concert, now the tour has continued and therefore we will soon talk about Taormina !!!
Plus, coming soon, there are two short translations in TV shows where IL VOLO has participated in !!
I met Kirsten in Verona on June 3, inside the Arena, ready to listen to the concert.
Kirsten is a member of Flight Crew, she comes from Denmark, first time hearing the Flight in concert.
Our meeting was short but really nice, she introduced me to her husband, with whom she will make a nice trip to different Italian places, and I introduced her to my husband.
Here we are at our meeting:
I asked Kirsten to write down her impressions of the concert.
She sings in a choir, so she is familiar with the use of voices. Here is what she wrote to me and also some of her photos. She was very lucky, at the beginning of the concert her place was on the road crossed by Ignazio, who greeted her and hugged her, what luck, I’m happy for her.
Congratulations Kirsten, you did a nice long review so a full post was born.
Next time there will be short reviews and gossip about what happened during the Verona concerts.
Kirsten, it was great meeting you and your husband.
A hug: Daniela 😘
I AM STILL FLYING HIGH after the concert in Verona Arena Friday
I’ll start with the conclusion: It was a fantastic and awesome evening in all aspects! A magic night I shall never forget! It fulfilled my wildest expectations and more. Their voices were exactly as I have heard them on videos/albums – stunningly beautiful. The chosen songs among my personal favorites and a mix of the songs on their 10 years jubilee album and the new Morricone one. Add to that the most awesome setting – a more than 2000 year old Roman Arena – seated under the stars in the warm Italian summer night. What could possibly be better? I was mesmerized – and on top of it all I got a personal handshake of Ignaziowhen he came singing down the aisle…
When finally I entered the Arena after 10 months waiting I was a bit overwhelmed and out of focus… was it really true? Was I actually going to see and hear our guys live? There had been quite some obstacles to overcome since I purchased the tickets last summer. At first I could only get one good ticket (all good seats sold out), so I planned to go on my own and fly down to Verona, but a couple of weeks later I found yet another good ticket just a few rows and blocks from mine, so now my husband could come along too, and we decided to take the car and drive all the way and combine it with our summer holiday.
We live in Copenhagen, Denmark, so it was quite a drive and actually we left home already on May 31, to have sufficient time and arrive a day before the concert. Never having been neither at the Verona Arena nor to any Il Volo concert I needed help in planning and hence I took contact to Flight Crew and Daniela was so kind to help me and we agreed to meet up at the concert. Yet another great thing to happen! But the Coronavirus returned to Denmark at the end of December and stayed active till spring and I feared that we could travel nowhere until June. But luckily Denmark was past the pandemic my by end March and hope was back.
Just a week before our departure some serious illness hit our family and we thought we should have to cancel the entire trip and we got very sad….but things turned around at the very last moment and we could start driving. For weeks I had kept an eye on the weather situation in Verona and it looked very good up to the night before the concert when suddenly it changed and rain was to come in the afternoon and stop around 20:00 hrs. Oh NO this could not be true.. but it could. So the last couple of hours up to the concert I was a nervous wreck with stomach pain. But then it dried up and hubby and I walked the few meters to the Arena and entered one hour before the start. Walking into the Arena and suddenly standing in the middle of this epic historian place made me almost loose my breath.. what a place!
A few minutes later we met Daniela and I started realize that this was no longer a dream but reality. I was indeed going to experience a concert with my beloved Il Volo guys in this stunning place!
Time flew away and suddenly the lights and the music started… it was so exciting – and in a few moments the guys would be on stage. Well that did actually not happen – but suddenly I heard noise and screaming behind me and there up by the entrance a spotlight beamed on a person – Ignazio!!!
The guys had decided to start in three different corners and sing their way down the aisles and enter the stage this way. While singing they were greeting people in the audience and shaking hands and suddenly I realized that Ignazio would pass straight in front of me!!! For seconds I was all bewildered but then here he was just next to me taking my hand and looking me right into the eyes… I could only barely say that I was happy to meet him and he was gone. It was a firm and real handshake – I was truly excited. What a great start of the concert! And then everything exploded on the stage – the light show blew the entire back of the stage up with blue “flames/spots”on black which immediately gave a fantastic ambiance. The boys started to sing for real and I felt drawn into each single song.
You feel captivated as their emotions reach you and embrace you… from that moment I forgot everything around me and simply enjoyed each single minute. People around me were likewise all engaged and sang along on several if their songs – and so did I, only la la as I know no Italian at all. The latter left me out of the jokes and what ever they told the audience, but it did not matter much. Practically all songs were known to me and I love the way the sing a classic song one moment followed by a pop song or a Bel canto – never experienced such a variety in the one and the same concert. All the guys sang fantastic – I am truly impressed by their strong voices that never fails them. They looked extremely happy to be on stage and they were smiling more than ever – so good to observe. There were a huge response from the audience – not the least in connection with their solos. I believe Piero did get the biggest standing ovations for his two classic songs – but he did most certainly also sing fantastically!
The song that touched me and the audience the most was the old “Hallelujah” that felt so proper in a Europe in war. That went straight into the hearts of us. I enjoyed Ignazio’s “All By Myself” tremendously – what a beautiful interpretation! Likewise did Gianluca sing his new solo very, very beautifully. But they were all great and I loved each moment of the concert! For two hours I was mesmerized!!
Hope this is in line with what you would like? Sorry for the length – I could not stop myself.
It was all wonderful, a magnificent evening, despite the afternoon all the sky had clouded over and it had started to rain, the evening reserved for us a time without rain, a beautiful temperature, and a fantastic show.
It started on time and it was 2 and a half hours of songs, 27 songs, without ever a break.
Every now and then some comic joke or some serious dedication, made by them, and the respect, always between the three of them, so evident, as well as the affection that surrounds them.
A small premise, the seats of the Arena are very narrow and in front of me there were two ladies who every now and then blocked the view to the camera with their heads.
I have not taken all the songs, and of some I have only taken a small piece, because I have noticed that Sony freezes the complete videos. That said, sorry if the videos aren’t great, but being there in front of them is hard to keep quiet and unmoved to get good videos !!
The glance of the Arena, full of people, is always absolutely priceless.
The start of the concert, was a surprise start, after the entrance of the orchestra, we all waited for their appearance on the stage, but no, they appeared in the audience, from behind, on the three ways between the seats and little by little they advanced, people got up, and shouted: ”they are there, they are there” and the three of them surrounded by people, slowly went up to the stage to sing ECSTASY OF GOLD.
People seemed crazy, all standing, nothing could be seen and even the camera’s focus was compromised,
Luckily my friend Francesca Brazzale was also in the audience, who makes beautiful videos and which many I will attach here, with her approval, thanks Francesca. 😘
Immediately after they sang the intro, then starts NESSUN DORMA. They prefer to put this song at the beginning, because you need all the power of their voices not yet tired from singing.
Note Ignazio who continues to wave his hand to the fans he recognizes, he reminded me of the kindergarten children who greet their parents from the stage, at their first performance, very sweet Ignazio.❤
Immediately after, IL MONDO followed, always beautiful and that makes everyone sing, and listen to it from the voices of Il Volo, wonderful!
Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca were almost never still on stage, they went from one side to the other to please the audience and it was difficult to follow one or the other.
The choreographies that alternated on the big screens behind them are very beautiful.
At this point, after three songs, Ignazio, Piero and Gianluca take a breath for one of their spoken skits that I will translate for you.
Always witty our three men !!
IGNAZIO: Let us take off the headphones to hear your voices and greet you.
PIERO = After two and a half years.
IGNAZIO = Welcome again, we met last night, right? (Because on the evening of June 2, Il Volo sang a tribute to Lucio Dalla in the Arena, together with many other artists).
GIANLUCA = We met yesterday, but it’s incredible, after two years, two and a half years …..
IGNAZIO = But they are not the same people as last night, they are different !!! ???? (Ignazio says so, because the press often wrote that Il Volo sang in pizzerias, or that they used the photos of other singers to show how many people there were, therefore, Ignazio says it ironically, to emphasize that these people are not the same as the previous day.)
GIANLUCA = No, they weren’t the same, and…. I sometimes forget that I am a singer ……
PIERO = But sorry, because let’s say 2 and a half years, if last year, June 5th, we did a concert ?….
GIANLUCA = Yes, first of all …. excuse me for a moment (he says to Ignazio, but Ignazio won’t let him speak)
IGNAZIO = But that was a taste, they were all left with the desire in their mouth … like a small taste of vodka, just one, that’s enough.
GIANLUCA = We are a little rusty, we haven’t played concerts for a long time, so forgive us for the gaffes, let’s start like this. (applause, my voice is heard saying “bravo”)
PIERO = We are very happy.
GIANLUCA = It’s nice to see you again after a long time …. (Ignazio raises his hand and asks to speak) … what is it?
IGNAZIO = You feel rusty, it’s you who are rusty, I went through the rust inhibitor this morning (laughter)
PIERO = Now, here, whatever you say … in three, in three (in the sense that Gianluca speaks in the name of all three), you, speak in the singular.
GIANLUCA = (to Ignazio) You never change !!
IGNAZIO = I know, but the thing we have in common is that we are always hungry … (laughter)
PIERO = Today in an interview, I said: “I’m very peaceful tonight, excited, I’m just afraid of one thing, of him (Ignazio – laughter). 😁 So, forgive me, but I’ll put my hands forward….
IGNAZIO = But you, you’ve been afraid every time for 10 years …
PIERO = Will there be a reason ???😁😁😁
IGNAZIO = I understand but, either you resign yourself to the idea of fear and let the fear pass by yourself …..
GIANLUCA = By now you know us well, we are like a big family, some of you know us really well, we finally feel at home.
PIERO = Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we will sing for you….
IGNAZIO = Excuse me ….
PIERO = Tonight we will sing for you the songs that have accompanied us in these thirteen years of career. This project will include some songs from the last project (Morricone) and also from the project from three years ago, it will be a summary and a journey, during these years.
These years of friendship ….❤
GIANLUCA = Of music 😘…. and of
IGNAZIO = And to … (he makes the gesture of hassle) 😁😁
PIERO = How is the translation of this gesture ….. ah beautiful !!! 😁
Master…
Starts SE TELEFONANDO, but the video ends before the song
They continue with a very sweet moment, approach the piano where Maestro Grani is and begin to sing the beautiful song SE, taken from Nuovo Cinema Paradiso.
After the song Piero says some beautiful words, that he gets very excited when he sings this song, because it is about a Sicilian who …..
PIERO = ….. to pursue his dream as a director, he leaves his homeland, he is forced to leave his homeland. Every time I leave for a tour, fortunately I am a privileged guy, when we leave our homes, our cities, we leave them for good things, for what we are doing tonight, but there is always that …..
IGNAZIO = Melancholy ….
GIANLUCA = That basic nostalgia ….
PIERO = …… that incurable nostalgia and therefore I cried a lot, (watching that movie) because I see myself in that child. When I sing this song, those who know me well, see me quite moved by it.
Now, with a beautiful accompanying choreography, Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca sing the sweet YOUR LOVE.
In the end, Ignazio rolls his eyes upward, and sends a sweet message to those who are no longer there.
The solos begin, and the first to perform is Ignazio who explains that he wants to propose a new song….
IGNAZIO= (Between one song and another, the lights were sometimes turned off, to allow the change of place)
I need to speak to the light man, if he paid the bill, nothing, because the lights go out every time, (the lights come on) thanks Manu! (Ignazio blows a kiss)
So, we find ourselves here, after a year, having to do another solo, and I asked myself:
“What am I doing this year?”
Also because it is not so simple to choose a song, because it can be too obvious, or too ambitious, therefore, I follow in the wake of what I have tried to do in recent years, I sing what some men have never sung, so if I do a bad figure, I’m the only one, understand?
But also this year I decided to sing a very famous song, which we all know and after you will help me sing, by a great artist, which I hope sooner or later we will have the honor of singing with her.
Ladies and Gentlemen, taken from the Celine Dion album Falling into You:
ALL BY MYSELF
Really very good Ignazio, what a thrill, what a voice, what a passion …. a beautiful standing ovation for you. ❤
But here Gianluca is ready, sitting on the piano, it’s his turn: YOUR SONG by Elton John.
Gianluca is also very good, a beautiful interpretation and her warm velvety voice ….Another standing ovation. ❤
And now it’s up to Piero, for him E LUCEVAN LE STELLE from Tosca.
All up for Piero, we know this air well, but every time Piero is always better, Piero, very well !! People were enchanted. ❤
The next song is presented. (I only picked up one piece of the song)
But first, Ignazio makes a nice speech that I have only taken up at the bottom, but which I remember well. He says that they have to thank the fans, not only for the great affection, but also because coming to their concerts doesn’t just mean spending money on tickets, but for many people, also spending on travel and hotel expenses ….
IGNAZIO= ….. and therefore we thank you for always being with us and we dedicate to you:
UN AMORE COSÌ GRANDE
It’s time for duets and Gianluca and Piero begin with the always beautiful:
MY WAY
(It’s just a short piece of the song)
We have heard it many times, but every time, Gianluca and Piero amaze us, this song seems to be made for the two of them and people like it very much. ❤❤
Here too Ignazio explains that he and Gianluca often made duets …..
IGNAZIO = What have we done ??
GIANLUCA = We made Maria from West Side Story.
IGNAZIO = West side story, and then, what did we do?
GIANLUCA = We also did …..
IGNAZIO = He doesn’t even remember … (laughter)
But this year we decided to change again and sing a very significant song, especially for us, it was in the pandemic, and it is today too.
Let’s pretend it is a prayer, a prayer for everything that is happening and that has happened in the past months and that continues to happen, unfortunately.
So we want to address this prayer to those who are not making it, to those who are suffering, to those who are more unfortunate than us, unfortunately. (applause) ❤
HALLELUJA begins.
We are all speechless, what a wonderful duet, what a wonderful song and sung with so much love.
Amazing to see the looks of satisfaction that pass between Gianluca and Ignazio and in the end, that nice hug, I think they were both moved, the scenography behind them evoked the stained glass windows of the cathedrals and the whole Arena was full of beautiful lights, and the audience gave a nice standing ovation. ❤
The time has come for the duet between Piero and Ignazio and another surprise, Piero says that when Ignazio proposed to him to do this duet he replied that he was crazy, but then they tried to do it by themselves and they had fun, so they called the management and proposed singing the aria from Rigoletto:
LA DONNA È MOBILE
The people all stood for the standing ovation.
Incredibly, I never thought that opera arias were liked so much and Ignazio and Piero were fantastic !! What voices, what interpreters, wonderful. ❤❤
But how beautiful is the final embrace between Ignazio and Piero?
A song also to make people sing, and we all sing for:
IO CHE NON VIVO SENZA TE.
You know it too, it is also sung in an English version.
A nice medley of two beautiful songs from Il Volo follows.
I liked the idea of merging them, it starts with:
L’AMORE SI MUOVE combined with MUSICA CHE RESTA(in the video only Musica Che Resta, the video at the end is blurred)
It’s the turn of three other solos, and this time Gianluca begins.
GIANLUCA = It’s strange to be here without the other two. 😁😁
Tonight I will sing a song that was part of my adolescence, of my musical inspiration. I grew up listening to many singers, from Andrea Bocelli, of course, but I was also inspired by the great American voices like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, but above all the great Elvis Presley.
I have been singing this song for years and I have grown a little with her, because she has also formed me a little artistically.
Tonight I want to dedicate it to a person who is here ❤ (he points to Eleonora, his girlfriend), and I will sing:
CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE
How sweet Gianluca, you gave the best of yourself.
During the well-deserved applause he also sent a kiss to his beloved 😘
Piero follows with his workhorse, the magnificent:
NO PUEDE SER(which I have not registered)
Ignazio, instead, does not play a second solo.
The boys ask the audience to stand up, it’s time to dance and sing with:
VOLARE(which I have not registered)
Another nice medley:
SURRENDER and O SOLE MIO. (In the video there is only a piece of O Sole Mio)
Very nice the idea of the medley between two songs that have the same theme.
According to my sequence of songs, we got to the finale, but I already told you that I didn’t record all the songs, and not having recorded them, I don’t remember what order they were in, but they, definitely sang too:
GRANADA
DELILAH
LIBIAMO NE’ LIETI CALICI from TRAVIATA
and then three more that Francesca Brazzale recorded and therefore I propose to you:
CARUSO that Il Volo sings divinely!
HERE’S TO YOU, sung among the audience.
Kristen, who is a member of Flight Crew, I see very well how you hugged Ignazio, I hope you will send us the photo!!
We are at the final, the beautiful GRANDE AMORE could not be missing, in the new more rock version, with which Il Volo closes the magnificent evening.
A beautiful shower of golden confetti in the air and it’s all over.
Great applause and all the people were very happy with this beautiful concert.
What can I say, the Il Volo concerts are magnificent and the three of them are adorable, elegant and polite. ❤❤❤❤
The Filarmonia Veneta orchestra and its young conductor are very good, as are the members of the band: maestro Grani on the piano, Bruno Farinelli on drums and the two guitarists.
All summarized in this short video.
Please click on the photo below to view the video.
Concert Compilation
Tomorrow everything repeats itself and then Taormina and then slowly, the road to get to you becomes shorter and shorter!
And the adventure continues….we got up early and walked a few blocks to the nearest McDonald’s. Was interesting for me, as we had to order through a kiosk and then pick up our order and drinks on the other side there. Just after we got there, I guess the student tour entered and it was filled with “kids!” Older teenagers I guess, maybe college-aged… we had a nice breakfast and had some time to stop for some souvenirs of Verona after, at a little store. Bought a few postcards, magnets, and a mug for my neighbor who was taking care of my cat. We managed to find our way back and decided we needed to pack up and get to the train station. It was a sunny/cloudy day, so far. We had wanted the owner to call us a cab, but for some reason, I still do not understand, he said he couldn’t. I was afraid my limited Italian would be fruitless, so they said to just wait down by the taxi stand. Ok, I was ready first, so I went down to make sure I could get a taxi and wait for the girls.
(I realized through this whole ordeal, I did not take any pictures!!)
Remember this was a Wednesday morning, about 9a or so. Lots of traffic around and lots of taxis. The taxi stand was just the other side of the Arena di Verona. There were several people standing there waiting for a taxi. The girls finally made it, the others were starting to give up, as no taxis were in sight! Everyone left except for us and it was getting late. There was this one poor guy from the middle east who had lost his passport and he needed to get to an embassy or something, we felt bad for him. We waited a bit longer and then we finally gave up. It was getting late and we were going to miss our train, if we stayed much longer. I got out my trusty Google Maps again. It seemed the train station was not too far away, so we decided to walk. We did not have much choice. Unfortunately, we did get turned around a few times and everyone we passed, we asked about a taxi and the few people I saw, kept saying the closest taxi was the train station, which is where we were headed! As we walked, and walked, we realized we were definitely going to miss our train. I contacted Daniela in a crisis mode, but she said she could not come and get us. So, we kept trudging along. I felt bad for Lorna, as she was hanging behind both Rose and I. Every so often, we had to stop and wait for her to catch up. After some more twists and turns, we finally made it to the train station – I swear we were walking for over an hour or more. We were so exhausted by the time we got there! We had definitely missed the train. The only positive thing was that the train to Desenzano was like a commuter train and it left every half hour or so. I had contacted Daniela and was concerned our pick-up time had changed, thinking we were going to be on a later train now. Ok, THIS is bizarre…. As much as I had most everything planned down to the last detail, I somehow had sent Daniela the “wrong” time to pick us up from the train – or so I thought!! Ironically, I had sent her the “right” information, so she had already planned to come and pick us up at the “later” time of our arrival! So, all in all, it worked out well. Was it fate we missed the first train??
I was still not feeling all that well and was still taking it quite easy. I was walking slow and Lorna, even slower. It was a pleasure to finally meet Daniela and she helped us with the bags, etc. and she took us to our hotel. Desenzano is a beautiful city. The sun had come out and it was a gorgeous day. I’ve already decided, if I ever go back to Italy again, I’d love to spend a few days around Lake Garda and maybe go around the perimeter of the lake in a few hotels.
Our hotel was very nice, although the room was not all that big. The bathroom was almost as big as our room! Daniela took Rose and I up to the roof view – very spectacular, although there was a slight haze over the lake. Lorna was completely exhausted by the time we got to the room and just plopped in the bed and did not move. I think Daniela had some bigger plans for us when we got there, but I was not feeling well and Lorna was stuck in the room, so instead, we had lunch at a restaurant next door to the hotel, and then walked up and down the boardwalk of the lake for a few hours. Lunch was very nice, had pasta, salad, and wine.
Much to our surprise, Daniela’s English was very good! She kept telling us she really did not speak English very well. Let me tell you, her English was WAY better than our Italian!! We got by pretty well and I threw in a bit of Spanish, which she also understood. Every so often there would be a word she did not know, so Google Translate to the rescue! We were out there for several hours and then stopped off at the little store where they sold gelato and bought a few snacks, to go along with our gelato. We ate that, and went back upstairs to join Lorna. We had also brought her back our leftovers. She ate a little and her gelato and cappuccino we had brought back for her. We were pretty tired after that, so we said our goodbyes to Daniela and she left, as she had to get back to Brescia, which was about an hour from there. We wished we could have seen more of the city and surrounding areas, but things don’t always go according to plan – even as good as mine were! Haha!
Our nap lasted til quite late and we really never ate any dinner and just snacked on the chips, etc. we had brought back to the room. Later that night, I was feeling really, really, bad. So bad so, that I was looking to see how I could leave early and go back home. Unfortunately, there was no logistical way I could get back to any city to catch a plane and head back home early, so I just took it easy. I almost went to an urgent care there! I managed to have breakfast. Rose had called Daniela and Daniela called the hotel and told them I was not feeling well and they might need to call a taxi to a hospital. Luckily, there was one not too far away. One funny little thing, the concierge person came over to me, not realizing I was the one that was sick and asked me about me – lol! I told him I was the one not feeling well. They were very nice. I managed to have breakfast and a bit later Rose and Lorna came down to join me. We sat there for a while, until I felt confident enough that I felt ok and did not want to go to the hospital. Again, it was a beautiful day and a bit of the haze had lifted and I was able to get in a few more good shots of the lake. I was sorely disappointed in the weather though. Although gorgeous, it was still hazy and you could not see the beautiful mountains, I knew were there! (Luckily, Daniela had checked out the Hotel Aurora for us earlier and took some beautiful pictures – so I have included them as well!)
We had called the taxi and it was there to take us to the train station. Very small little train station area. We got a snack for later and then waited for the train. Of course, the train was late…. But was glad when it finally got there and we were on our way back to Verona. We had a few delays along the way there, also, but had nowhere to get to, so no big deal.
It was after 1p or so by the time we got back to Verona and we had a few hours to kill. The Verona station is nice, so we ate at the little café and I bought some chocolate bars and had a glass of wine. It was finally time for our train to arrive. It was nice to finally get on the train and relax a little, on the way back to Rome. The last few days had been exhausting for both Lorna and I. Rose, many years older than the two of us, was in much better shape!
It was late afternoon by the time we got back to Rome and our last hotel. We had been so exhausted after the last walking tour, we had cancelled the last tour I had planned for Friday. This last hotel was a bit strange, as it was encased in this grotto of sorts. You had to go through this big gate with this security code and they hadn’t given it to us. Luckily, someone was coming out and we got in. They were a bit wary of us as we didn’t know the code, but I guess we looked harmless. Lol! After a bit of confusion, this lady finally came down and took us up to the hotel, which we later found out, really only had like 4 or 5 rooms. They had expanded and taken over this other area, also another hotel. When we finally reached our room, it was really small. It had a queen size bed and a twin size rollaway. So nice Rose didn’t mind the twin bed! We did kind of have a balcony, but it was dark inside the covered grotto area. Not the best design. We left the heavy drapes closed for most of the time we were there. Again, a really nice bathroom. Tiny fridge and coffee maker.
The room was kind decorated in an art deco style with mirrors and gold, and a diamond-like mirrored light fixture.
After a short rest, we went down for dinner at the little restaurant recommended and down the street from the hotel. We ate outside. Had a nice dinner, then walked across the street to a gelato place. Believe it or not, I was too stuffed to even have any gelato! ☹
I think we turned out the lights shortly after that!
Next morning, breakfast was at 7a and we were up shortly after that to get ready, as it was only served until 9a, which I thought was not very long… for once, we got to enjoy breakfast and not have to run for a train! Lol! Breakfast consisted of a grouping of sunny side up eggs, lots of breads/sweets, rolls, of course cappuccino, various juices, some fresh fruit, etc. It was pretty tasty. We got there on the late side, but others were coming in after us!
It was a beautiful day, so we decided to explore the city! I was so glad I had cancelled that other tour. You always want to pack in as much as you can, so you can see everything… but this was really the only day we had of “had to ourselves” to explore what we wanted, without any other obligations – trains or tours!
So, we asked for some directions and they said we could go either right or left out from the hotel. We chose left and started our walk up the street. There were lots of people out, it was a lovely, sunny, Friday morning! Shortly after our journey started, it seemed to slow down and this HUGE crowd of protesters gathered and were blocking the streets! I guess you could say it was peaceful. It mostly consisted of young people, college-aged, likely, holding signs about pollution and being a part of the solution, not the problem, etc. We had planned on walking to St. Peter’s square, but apparently, that was where the crowd was going. There were also polizia cars, trying to move the crowd along. You could barely cross the street! We finally gave up and did cross the street, as there were shops over there. OK, we hit a few souvenir shops on our way back and I did a lot of “damage” at this one Murano glass store. Nice older lady – found out (later when we went back) she was actually Jewish! Bought 3 little Murano glass clocks, some necklaces, and little pendants. Then as we made our way back to the hotel, I picked up a scarf, a few t-shirts, a purse, and I think that was it! Did buy a few Murano glass pendants at the first shop. 😊
We got back, exhausted, but happy. Rose was in such better shape than Lorna and I. We had to keep yelling for her to wait for us! 😉 I’m sure we must have eaten something when we got back, but I can’t remember now. (ok, it HAS been over a year! Lol!) I do know we just rested and took a little nap. I’m sure we had a snack of something. We may have raided the little goodies in the room. Lol! After our rest, I kept thinking and thinking about that Murano glass shop. Lorna was still tired, so Rose and I ventured out again. When I went back, I bought those other items mentioned and bought myself a large necklace of Murano beads in amber/black. Gorgeous of course, as well as pricey! But, I figured, I may never come back here and what is a few more dollars spent!? We got back and Lorna was still resting. I think we decided to have an earlyish dinner and ate at a different restaurant down the street. Inside, this time. 😊 Rose treated Lorna and I. I had pizza, and I think Rose and Lorna had some kind of pasta. We also ordered a bottle of Moscato. I was still not feeling well. (I had no idea at the time, my affliction was really acid reflux and all the tomato-based stuff I was eating, was what was killing me! – as I just found that out THIS January 2020!) So, again, after dinner, they went for gelato, and again, I was not feeling too keen and didn’t get any. I did take some pictures though! 😊 I didn’t even finish my Moscato! ☹
An early departure again, for us. Again, I think we missed breakfast again, since our flight left about 11a and we had to get to the airport. Luckily for us, this hotel called us a nice taxi, was more like limo ride, in a older model Mercedes or Lincoln. Nice, sane driver, even in a suit. We had no idea, we were so close to the coliseum! We had only gone a few blocks, and around a few corners, when it popped into view! It was a sight to behold. So, took my last picture on the way to the airport. The driver took a bit of a scenic route to the freeway, through a park of sorts. It was very pretty….
Since Lorna was not feeling well and walking a bit slow, and I was not my best, we requested wheelchairs for when we got back to Detroit. They asked if we wanted them for Rome, as well, but we said no. After our at least mile plus walk to get to the terminal, I wish we HAD asked for wheelchairs.
We finally had a chance to get a bite to eat at a little café area near the gate. I got a sandwich and a chocolate filled croissant for later, and a bottle of water.
It wasn’t long before we could board the plane. Rose was not feeling well and wanted to upgrade to first class. Luckily, I think there were only 2 seats or so left and she was able to get one of them. So we kind of said goodbye and we boarded the plane.
Ah, finally on our way…. As luck would have it, there was a delay! Like, an hour delay! Oh man, I was so miserable. I was having another attack. Fortunately, at least the movies were working, so I chose some dumb movie, I don’t even remember what it was. I was so miserable until we were finally airborne and I was able to get my prosecco! It’s the oddest thing, they say that carbonated beverages are a trigger for the acid reflux, but the prosecco calms mine down! So, nearly 2 hours of feeling miserable, I finally got some relief! We were finally on our way. Lorna and I were sitting next to each other and Rose was in first class. Lorna put on a movie and then dozed off. I did the same, on and off. It was an extra long flight, with the hour delay on the ground, but I think the pilot made up some time, as I don’t think we were that late coming in. I think Delta buffers in a lot of extra time, for delays, etc.
Our good friend Chris, picked us up from the airport and dropped us safely to home. As always, there’s no place like home and I was so glad to get there and see my kitty!
All-in-all, we did have a good time and I hope Lorna and Rose Marie, agree! I just hope, the next time, if there is one, I am a lot healthier! No surgeries, 6 weeks prior, no acid reflux – trying to control with diet, was on Prilosec for like nearly 6 months, until I was reading and you really are not supposed to be on it for more than 2 weeks!? And no more blood clots (this past January, so now on coumadin for likely life..). Seriously, I’m so tired of being sick and doctors and hospitals! I know I’m not the only one with health issues, but these past few years have been so rough, with my job depression, then the hysterectomy, the acid reflux, the blood clots (found another one in October on TOP of the other one that will never go away), and chronic, intermittent leg aches and pains from the blood clots. I would just like to be able to go and enjoy myself and be healthy at the same time. If I go again, I’d of course like to see Sicily, perhaps. I’d also like to spend more time around the Lake Garda area. It was so beautiful and the little town we stayed in was so quaint. Of course Brescia is beautiful and I know Daniela was disappointed she could not show us around her city. I love meeting my new Italian friends, Daniela, Dani, and Veronica. Sadly, I missed seeing Veronica this time. Would love to visit the Adriatic coast again, as well. I know there are so many beautiful places to see in Italy and you can only do so much in a week or so. Hopefully, the world will be a better and healthier place in the next few years!!
Thank you, Daniela, for being so gracious and understanding to Lorna and I. We wished our health had been better and we could have done more while in Desenzano! But it was lovely to just walk along the lake and sit in the sunshine!
Until, next time??? Ciao a tutti!! 🙂
Jana
Come in and share the love of life, friends and Il Volo!
Kirsten from Denmark
Jolanta from Poland
Susan from the U.S.
And then our beautiful nonna Maura, even she, 93 years old, held out until the end of the concert.
