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The 2,800-year-old arena, one of the ancient
world's biggest public entertainment venues, has needed weeks of
preparation but its generous dimensions and natural structure,
akin to ancient Greek theatres, makes it an ideal site.
"The Circus Maximus is transformed from a circus to a theatre,
an opera house in this case," Rome's Opera House technical
director, Francesco Arena, told Reuters.
"It is returning in a way to its origins and its function as a
show venue."The ancient Baths of Caracalla, where the Rome Opera
normally holds its summer season, is also outdoors, but it
cannot guarantee the distancing afforded by the Circus Maximus,
less than 1 km (0.6 miles) down the road.
Temperature checks, widely spaced seating and an especially
large stage, are intended to provide security for both opera
goers and performers.
"We tried to transform the limits of interpersonal distance into
new forms of representation with great use of technologies that
allow us to bring the artists closer to each other and the
artists closer to the spectators," said Carlo Fuortes,
superintendent of Rome's Opera Theatre.
Last-minute construction work and rehearsals have been going on
feverishly ahead of July 16, when 19th-century Italian composer
Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto will kick off the season.
Fuortes said the virus was forcing theatres around the world to
come up with creative solutions and he was confident the
experience would be a rewarding one for opera goers starved of
live culture during the lockdown.
But it will be a very different atmosphere from the rowdy crowds
cheering on their favourite charioteers in ancient times.
(Reporting by Cristiano Corvino and Gabriele Pileri; Writing by
Fabiano Franchitti: Editing by James Mackenzie and Janet
Lawrence)
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