Il Volo – Page 5 – LuceStellare

Il Volo at Wallingford CT, September 29, 2013

*While this review is a bit dated, it’s a chronicle of attendance to Il Volo concerts.

This has been my third Il Volo concert attendance in two years. The first was at the BOA Pavilion, Boston MA in September 2012. The second was BOA Pavilion, Boston MA September 14, 2013. The last performance was so extraordinary an event, that I followed my heart and purchased a ticket for the 2^nd concert held in New England in 2013. I am fortunate to live a reasonable driving distance to both venues. This was the last show in the USA on this extensive tour of the Americas.

To have Il Volo (IV) in front of you moving, swaying and singing is to be in a bit of a dream. They live and breathe Italian style in every move, wiggle and wink. IV are sophisticated, playful, curious, but most of all warm in heart. However, the first impression after the opening number was they were subdued not tired but a little low in energy. Barone, who seems to always be in motion, only wiggled lightly to the beat of the music. Unlike the previous concerts, IV took a ten minute break after the first hour and came back even more mellow and sweet in song.

Ginoble’s body language in song is gritty, he plants his feet firmly on the floorboards and leans into his voice. Known as the philosopher of the group for his frequent contemplations on Twitter, I was impressed when he made a social statement to the audience about the purpose of their tour and the banner of “We Are Love”. It’s not just a song, but a way to live life. But, Boschetto’s infectious sense of humor pervaded. During Ginoble’s solo performance of “Night and Day”, Barone and Boschetto appeared on stage behind him and started to slow dance as two lovers caught up in the magic of the song. It was hilarious! Ginoble kept going, stayed focused and gave us a fabulous performance.

Barone was stunning in his performance of “Non Peude Se” and “Where do I Begin”. Where I appreciate his technical skill, tonight he took a step deeper into his emotional range and presented the mortification of a pierced heart and later on that of one in delirious joy. His voice rippled around the theater. The man behind me said all night, “they are all remarkable, but he gives just a bit more.”

If I never see another show in my life, I can say that twice I witnessed an Italian Art being crafted at the moment. I did capture the song on video for an addition to my personal library. Something happened during the recording I cannot explain. No matter what I did, I could not focus on Piero. He remained as a blurred image in the camera. There are lights of green and red all around him, but the camera refused to bring him into focus. The audio is magnificent. Curious how the camera conveyed that one only needed to hear this to recognize brilliance. The lights in the lens reflected that brilliance and surrounded him with the glow of passion and growth. I confess to a mysterious admiration of his presence, he is a cat, a sleek, unusual pixie. However, I have come to understand that Piero can be extraordinarily endearing in unexpected ways. When he realized there was a camera projecting their image onto a larger screen for the folks sitting up in back, he leaned in, examined the lens, looked at the image, looked back, winked away and leaned in to kiss the lens kissing us through it. All at once, he is a cat, curious, unpredictable and a sweetheart. To me he will ever more be piccioncino. My little lovebird.

Boschetto once again displayed a rambling sort of humor that although scripted, veers into nuttiness at any moment. È il mio biscottino. My little cookie. His voice was clear and crisp, he sings such bittersweet melodies and managed to draw tears from me during “Memory”. He reduced Barone to giggles several times calling him Mr. Red Glasses, running to the extreme back of the theater to find his “Maria” and being called Igna by the guys. After escorting his Maria safely to her chair, he came back and did a theatrical roll up onto the stage. There is a giddiness about him that is infectious. In body and spirit, he often reminds me of an otter.

As I read their tweets and watch the bits of video shared with fans, they do act like brothers, one minute bopping each other around, the next serious and supportive. One person in line for the meet and greet was recognized by the organizer as being at her fifth show. Il Volo does that. I was dazzled at the Boston performance only a few weeks ago. So much happened in one night that I simply had to see them again.

Il Volo: Fan Appeal to the Heart of a Quiet Feminist

Il Volo (IV) are cultivating a remarkable musical presence in today’s competitive highly marketed, managed and commercialized field of entertainment. As a fan beginning midsummer 2012, I was at first captivated by the charisma of Piero Barone, Gianluca Ginoble and Ignazio Boschetto. The sincerity as artists who take themselves and their craft seriously was abundant in language from the body and eyes during the performance of Il Volo Takes Flight: Live from the Detroit Opera House. The complex combination of charm, style and natural musical talent sparked my interest. Since I became a fan, I have followed their trail and attended several concerts, participate in on-line forums, started this blog and am organizing a unique tour in Italy through a Facebook group called: Star Crossed Voyagers: Il Volo Fans Tour to Italy. I am firmly fixed in my appreciation of them as artists who are in transition with their music. The key to Il Volo’s success for me has been the emerging acknowledgement of them as men who can appeal to the heart of a quiet feminist.

I am of an age to remember the strategic push of the women’s voice in the 1960’s, 70s and beyond. Since we found our voice, the goal of equality of place in society has been a constant struggle and cause for unrest. Women hold a precarious position in attempting to balance needs at home and in the workplace. We take primary care of the home, and provide for our children, elders and husbands with every part of our emotional, physical, and economic well-being. Women provide, and attempt to thrive in a still male-dominated society. Women are reaching higher and higher and strategically gaining ground as well as earning respect in politics, business, science, sports and the arts. Having grown up under the umbrella of women emerging and campaigning for equality, I am refreshed by IV’s unspoken and sophisticated acceptance, understanding and support of women on stage and reflecting out to their audience.

IL Volo simply adore women and enjoy mingling with their wide range of fans across the Americas, Europe and beyond. IV audiences are largely dominated by women ranging in age from 5 to 95. One of the reasons for my consistency as a fan is that having been raised in the tone and tenure of the feminist movement, I recognize their consistent collaboration with female artists. With every concert and performance, the feminine is brought to balance with their heady, sexy Italian energy.

Women artists IV have collaborated with include:

Belinda

With every performance, every tweet, photo op, and day that goes by, my appreciation for them as men, artists and quiet feminists grows. As a fan, I look forward to a prosperous and abundant 2014 filled with exciting concerts, recordings and moments of natural grace.

IL Volo in Concert: Boston MA 2013

While this review is dated, it was the second live performance of IL Volo I have attended. This a character study rather than a musical review. These are my own impressions of Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto and Gianluca Ginoble.

Location: Bank of America Pavilion, Boston, Massachusetts

Date: September 14, 2013

Almost a year ago to the week, I attended my first IL Volo concert at this very location. It was a leap of faith that brought me to the first concert and based on remembrance, I can say without doubt that IL Volo (IV) made an artistic leap in presentation and song for 2013. Barone, Boschetto and Ginoble were wonderful in every way. The Boston audience was delighted with two full hours of non-stop exciting entertainment. IV twirled and sang up a spell of enchantment under a bright, crisp waxing harvest moon.

The Italians have a phrase and sense of living called Bella Figura. La Bella Figura as defined in EyeItalia: “Bella figura goes well beyond image, visual beauty and presentation…it also is defined by behavior: knowing how to properly and graciously interact with others in any social or public situation. Exhibiting good manners, tact and gentility is an essential component of “cutting a beautiful figure”.

I came to understand the visual meaning of this phrase during this concert. From head to toe, the cut of the hair, the drape of the fabric, sheen to the shoes, the physique and aura of class was present in each artist. The opening number, “Quest’Amore“, with the soothing, stirring strings of violins ushered in the silhouetted images of the guys. As each artist was projected onto the screen, the excitement began to build until the beautiful moment they walked towards us on stage singing with strength and confidence.

Barone was magnificent in voice, so graceful, powerful and clear. In live performance, his rich tenor can be overwhelming and conveys not only a beautiful sound but a virtual aura that can surround the senses. I truly think if he keeps on developing his art, he will have one of the finest voices of his generation. He has a tremble, con voce tremante or delicate weep at times in his voice. As his eyes hold that naturally down turned tilt conveying a bit of sadness within, so does his voice in song, all at once it is hope, sorrow and joy. I watched him extend such courtesy to fans and was surprised at his genuine attempts at inclusiveness. He came off the stage towards my section of the audience to find his Maria. He tried to select a little girl from deep in the row of fans but was thwarted by the crowd. With grace he kept the show moving forward with a quick flexible timing. Towards the end of the show, I was so overwhelmed by the experience that I went to the very edge of the stage as IL Volo were shaking hands with fans. I threw aside my normal bashful ways and went right up to Barone and smiled, extending my hand. He paused, looked down and reached down a cool hand to greet me.

Ginoble was debonair incarnate. Frank Sinatra was popular before my time but I have memories of his success as a singer and actor. Ginoble’s rendition of “Night and Day” was smooth, relaxing and sexy. I love that way he puts his whole body into the notes. He sat on the stool and crooned to us. He just has such style and presence. My hope is that given his age and beauty, he will continue to explore and popularize a more sophisticated manner for young male artists. In stance alone, he manages to convey what the French call: C’est si bon. Or, better in Italian: Molto elegante. At the end of the show, I stayed close to the edge of the stage after shaking hands with Barone, I was as close as I could be when the guys sang a cappella a portion of “Smile”, the look of satisfaction on his face, the light smile, and the look of love to the audience just radiated out. He was well pleased with the show.

True confessions, until Saturday night, I did not appreciate Boschetto. Perhaps the show last year caught him at the wrong moment for me as a fan. I saw a teenager, uncomfortable at times and out of sync. Tonight, he was fantastic. I loved his funny bone, his flirtatious, loving manner with the guys and of course all of us. During the song, “Granada”, Boschetto pantomimed winding up Barone as if he were a watch or toy, letting go of the key the moment Barone finds his long musical note in the song. He also revealed his savviness and intelligence as a performer. He knows how to make us all feel welcome. Beyond that, his skill as an artist was remarkable. He hit all the notes, held them long, and sang from deep in the body. I was able to film him singing “Memory” and continue to enjoy this personal memory of his gift. Unfortunately, he did not come to the side of the stage and I was not able to shake hands or share my joy at discovering him as a man and artist. I more than admire his growth as an artist and look forward to following his career.

There were several moments of musical brilliance on stage. During the song “Surrender” on the “We Are Love: Special Edition” CD, Barone hits an exciting high note. In performance, at this very moment, the three twirled closer together on stage and hit their highest note all at the same time. The notes were held for several seconds. The harmonics were pure IL Volo. The closest approximation I can relay is the sound made when a large crystal bowl is played. The tone and vibration carry outward and through the entire body. They are so compelling as people, joyful and sincere.

For the Boston audience, there was a moment of courage and support in recognition of the Marathon Bombing that had taken place in April of 2013. Barone started talking to us about Boston Strong and remembering what happened. IV sang the National Anthem to recognize the fallen and go forward empowered to face the worst of fears.

Meeting the fans who come from far and wide to attend the show is a part of the experience. In line waiting for the gates to open, I met a couple from Austin, Texas who had decided to take a vacation in Boston as well as attend the performance staying after the show for the Meet and Greet. They came so far and this was the highlight of the trip. I wish every fan could attend a live performance. The guys stand in front of the audience and look out at each person, look around slowly and take their time to catch your eye. As they gaze at you with a smile from the heart, so do you reply in the same way. At the moment the eyes meet, the connection is formed. They are on stage, but could easily walk off stage and be by your side. Somehow, they invite every heart be a part of it all. The theme of the tour is perfect: We Are Love. The secret of IL Volo is their message of love; as it is something to be given, it is something to be accepted and returned.