More than a million people packed Copacabana beach on Saturday night, turning its vast stretch of sand into a massive dance floor for a free concert by the pop star, which marked the end of her world tour.
“Here we are in the most beautiful place in the world,” said Madonna, 65, to the crowd, pointing to the view of the sea and mountains, adding: “This place is magical.”
In preparation for the show, the city was bustling, with fans lining up in front of the imposing Copacabana Palace hotel in hopes of catching a glimpse of the star. The city’s airport received about 170 extra flights, welcoming fans from all over Brazil and the world.
Municipal authorities estimated that 1.6 million people attended the concert, some watching from well-lit apartments or hotels overlooking the beach, while others watched from boats and anchored sailboats nearby.
The singer performed classics ranging from ‘Like a Virgin’ to ‘Like a Prayer’, featuring dozens of backdrops and costume changes.
She also paid tribute to “all the bright lights” lost to AIDS while singing ‘Live to Tell’, with black-and-white photos of people who died from the disease as a backdrop.
Brazilian pop artists Anitta and Pabllo Vittar, along with younger musicians from samba schools, also participated in the show.
The concert, which Madonna’s official website described as the largest of her 40-year career, marked the final stop of her Celebration tour. Giant screens and 18 sound towers were spread along the beach to ensure that the audience could enjoy the event from wherever they were.
Source: The Guardian