(ANSA) - Pop superstar Elton John, who dismissed the recent Live 8 concerts as "boring", appears intent on making sure that his show at the Colosseum in Rome on Saturday goes down in history.
He has already said he sees the free concert in front of the ancient Roman monument as one of the highlights of his 30-year career and he has been preparing the details with almost maniacal zeal. "I can't wait to be in Rome to play in front of the
Colosseum," he said. "I'm honoured by this chance I have to perform in such a special place and in such a special city."
The pianist, singer and showman has puffed out his normal collection of songs so that the concert will last a good three hours instead of the usual 90 minutes. He is expected to run through most of his greatest hits, including classics such as Your Song, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Crocodile Rock. He is having a huge, aluminium-and-plastic stage built in front of the Colosseum. At 22 metres by 16, it's twice as big as a normal outdoor concert stage. Organisers say that the construction - complete with 20 tons of lights - will be practically transparent so that the ancient Roman gladiators' arena will dominate the view.
The 58-year-old performer is so keen to get the lights and special effects right that he has built an identical stage in the grounds of his mansion near London. That way he will be able to assess and tweak the planned light show while he is still at home. Elton John, born Reginald Dwight, is reportedly desperate to see that his Rome gig is no less spectacular than ones given in the same place by Paul McCartney and Simon & Garfunkel.
Those two acts drew crowds of 500,000 to their concerts in 2003 and 2004. "I know the show will be unique because my italians fans are the best," the star said in a message released at a presentation press conference in Rome. As part of the build-up to the event, Elton John has also revealed that he will perform a duet during the set with a mystery guest from the world of show business.
Speculation over the identity of the guest has thrown up all manner of names from opera singer Luciano Pavarotti to Madonna. With the added threat of terrorism, security will be tight at the concert, which is due to start at 9 pm. The nearby Colosseo metro stop will be closed from the morning and traffic in the area will be diverted from the previous evening.
There will be a massive police presence, with many officers in plain clothes mingling in the crowd. An extra 240 private security guards have also been called in to help.
