It has already been called the greatest concert in history. Around one million six hundred thousand people invaded the Brazilian Copacabana beach yesterday to attend Madonna’s free concert, the final stage of the “Celebration” world tour. The crowds on the sand and along the oceanfront boulevard around Rio de Janeiro’s famous beach stretched for several blocks. Many even arrived days before the start of the concert to secure a seat as close as possible to the over 800 square meter mega stage. Others enjoyed the show from the sea, aboard dozens of boats at anchor; still others from the balconies of the buildings facing the sea. Firefighters sprayed water before the concert, when temperatures soared above 30 degrees, to cool fans near the pop queen’s stage, and bottles of water were handed out free of charge. During the late evening show the temperature dropped to around 27 degrees. Madonna, 65, performed her great hits such as “Like a Prayer”, “Vogue” and “Express Yourself” for over two hours from 10.45pm (3.45am on Sunday in Italy) to conclude the tour which began at end of last year.
Mauro Denigris
