My sisters (Carol and Debbie) and I Took off for Friday’s concert on Tuesday. It’s a seven hour drive so we decided to take a short vacation and tour D.C. while there. Leelee flew in from Florida and met us there. First night was dinner with Michele. You know, we have emailed or Skyped or phoned each other almost daily for over a year and have never met still…hearing Michele’s voice coming out of the person standing in front of me took some getting use to! Spent a few more days touring and having fun in DC, but what you really want to know about is the Boys!

 

 

Before the Concert:

We arrived really early at Wolf Trap. In the parking lot we could hear music. After we parked I snuck toward the back of the theatre. Just to the front side of the stage. There was Gianluca rehearsing. I was eventually joined by Debbie and Leelee. We stood there quietly behind a post for about 15 minutes. Finally Wolf Trap security spotted us, looked at my Flight Crew lanyard and said, “I see you have backstage passes” Not wanting to lie to the man I crossed my fingers behind my back and said, “uh-huh”. So he said, “still, you can’t stand here during the final sound check” and led us out to where we were close, but couldn’t see. We were still pretty happy until Il Volo security showed up. Our badges didn’t fool him and we were asked to leave. Shucks!

When Michele arrived we rode a tram from the parking lot to the ticket window to get our tickets. On the tram a woman in front of us turned around spotted our badges and said, “I follow the Il Vollo Flight Crew! What are your names?” We told her and she said she knew who we were and seemed pleased to have met us. Hello Jean, Renee and Judy. I didn’t meet any other badges but my sister did.

 

 The Concert:

I have to begin this part by saying that Ignazio did not sing “Ti Voglio Tanto Bene”. He mentioned it, but didn’t say why he didn’t sing it. (You’ve got three more chances Sweetie!! Do it!)

Ignazio – That wonderful “edgy” voice made me melt into my seat! You have all heard about the many fun, silly and endearing things he does during a performance, so I won’t repeat them though there were plenty. You’ll have to see for yourself. Ok! One thing! He had a blast with the drums.

At one point he sang part of Maria to the woman seated directly in front of me!

I don’t care what you say! Ignazio is the most handsome man on the planet!

Piero – This young man looks all around at his audience. He looks directly at as many people as he can with the most genuine and sincere smile you can imagine. He sings while reaching out to you figuratively and literally. His voice…Oh his voice! It was powerful enough to shake the Wolf Trap rafters and gentle enough to make me tremble.

 

Gianluca – Soooo Smoooth! When he sings in that deep baritone you just hold your hand over your heart and swoon! He did Elvis better than Elvis!

My sister remarked that they sound the same as on their CD. Meaning no studio backing and blending, no re-takes. But really Carol, (an Il Volo Concert novice) there were many wonderful differences! A new pause here, a change of tempo there, etc., etc.

 The man sitting next to me kept shouting, “O Sole Mio”. I would shout “No”. The man must have thought I hated the song. I knew it was their signature song and would mean the “Painfully Beautiful” end to this extraordinary evening.

The Meet and Greet:

The M&G was held in a large room beneath the stage. We were all lined up waiting and watching. I have to say that everyone I saw took some time with the Boys before staff ushered/pried them out.

I happened to notice Barb and Mrs. Ginoble sitting off to the side. I walked over and actually had a conversation with Barb. She does speak English and understood everything I said. At least she said she did. I thanked her for answering my emails and doing me a favor a while back. I asked if I could take her picture and she said only if I was in it too. So I said ok and she handed my camera to Mrs. Ginoble who took our picture. Then Barbara took the camera and Mrs. Ginoble and I got a picture together. I’m going to keep those to myself for a while. They then let me take this picture of them both. What gracious ladies! Mrs. G is a tiny thing she actually made the first move to hug me. Barb hugged me too and thanked me for helping to promote Il Volo. Oh Yeah! She knows who we are!

It was finally my turn with the Boys! You will all be happily surprised to know that I behaved myself. I hugged and kissed each one of them on the cheek and thanked them all for being alive in my world!

Yeah that’s me being deliriously happy. No, my hair doesn’t always look like this. With 97% humidity in an outdoor theater, in the rain I tend to take on the look of a French Poodle.

I pulled my Flight Crew Badge from it’s lanyard and they all signed it!!!

As you know, four of your Flight Crew Board members are meeting in Chicago. The other one, like some of you, can’t make a concert this year. I explained that to the boys. As you can see it made Ignazio sad!

 

 

Then Ignazio got down on one knee in front of me. I’ll give you three guesses as to what he was doing down there:

1) He was proposing marriage.
2) He was begging me not to grab him and run.
3) He was taking a picture of my tattoo.

I’m hoping for #1 at the next concert. No, I didn’t tell any of you about my tattoo. I figured you all thought I was crazy enough anyway. Barb also took a picture of it. I know there will never be a reason I’m sorry I have it. What are they going to do – Kick puppies? Next year I plan to tattoo my entire body with “Il Volo” – Oh, not really!

OMG did I go on or what? A couple more things then I’ll let you all drool some more over those pictures of THEM!

My sisters are great travel companions as always. They put up with a lot of Il Voloing. At the end of our time there they adopted the loving and funny Leelee and wanted to trade me for her. Yes they did! I send you a big red banner of love Leelee!

Looking forward to meeting Elaine and Kelly as well as some of you. Michele, see you in a few days for our three concert road trip!

Ineke, I’ve got your shirt.

 

Bottom Line:

If you haven’t attended your concert yet you need to know that it is worth every dollar you spent, every hour it took you to get toThem and every night before and after you will spend without sleep! Those of you who have already gone know this.

If you are unable to attend Their concert this year, you MUST go next year! You must see and hear Them for yourselves!

~Marie