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The
sand and oceanfront boulevard around Rio de Janeiro's famed
beach were filled for several blocks by a crowd the city
estimated at 1.6 million.
Many had been there for hours or even days to get a good spot,
while richer fans anchored in dozens of boats near the beach and
onlookers crowded beachfront apartments.
Firefighters sprayed water before the concert, when temperatures
exceeded 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), to cool
fans gathered near the pop queen's stage, and drinking water was
distributed for free. Temperatures were around 27 C (81 F)
during the late night show.
Madonna, 65, performed songs such as "Like a Prayer", "Vogue"
and "Express Yourself" for over two hours from 10:45 p.m. (0145
GMT on Sunday) as she wound up the greatest hits tour that
started late last year.
"Rio, here we are, in the most beautiful place in the world,
with the ocean, the mountains, Jesus," Madonna told the crowd,
referring to the city's huge mountaintop Christ the Redeemer
statue. "Magic."
Brazilian pop artists Anitta and Pabllo Vittar, as well as
younger musicians from samba schools, participated in the show.
More than 3,000 police officers were deployed around the concert
area, where the Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart have also drawn
million-strong crowds. The authorities used a crowd-management
strategy similar to their handling of the city's famous New
Year's Eve celebrations.
Brazilian authorities have stepped up their vigilance over
heat-related health problems after a young Brazilian fan died at
a concert by Taylor Swift last year due to heat exhaustion.
Rio's state and city governments said they spent 20 million
reais ($3.9 million) on the concert, while the rest was financed
by private sponsors. The authorities estimate the concert could
bring about 300 million reais to Rio's economy.
($1 = 5.0722 reais)
(Reporting by Leonardo Benessato, Renato Spyrro, Rodrigo Viga
Gaier, Sebastian Rocandio and Sergio Queiroz in Rio de Janeiro;
Additional reporting by Andre Romani in Sao Paulo; Editing by
Cynthia Osterman and William Mallard)
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