US pop icon Madonna (65) gave a free concert in front of tens of thousands of people on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
According to the city administration, 1.5 million visitors were expected at the show on Saturday evening.
It was initially unclear how many there were in the end; Pictures showed large crowds of people.
The Brazilian singer Anitta and one of Madonna’s daughters were also on stage. It was announced on Madonna’s website as the “Queen of Pop’s” biggest concert. It was the conclusion of the world tour “The Celebration Tour”, with which Madonna celebrated 40 years of her career. The tour began in London last October.
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Rio City Hall expected 1.5 million spectators, more than ten times the number of Madonna’s record concert of 130,000 at Paris’ Parc des Sceaux in 1987.
EPA/ANTONIO LACERDA
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How many people actually came was not yet known after the concert ended.
AP Photo/Bruna Prado
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In Rio de Janeiro people have been preparing for the performance for days.
EPA/ANDRE COELHO
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According to media reports, fans blocked several lanes of the Avenida Atlântica coastal road on the famous Copacabana Beach on Friday.
AP Photo/Bruna Prado
The “Queen of Pop” began the show with her 1998 hit “Nothing Really Matters.” The crowd pushing against the barriers cheered her loudly. Others watched from apartments and hotels along the seafront promenade. “We are here in the most beautiful place in the world,” Madonna told the crowd.
Tax money for Madonna’s salary
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What caused discontent before the concert was that, according to media reports, around 60 million reals (10.7 million francs) in taxpayers’ money were spent on the event, including 17 million reals for Madonna’s fee. However, according to the city administration, revenue of 293 million reals was expected for the state treasury, mainly due to an expected influx of tourists.
The organization of the event was similar to that of a New Year’s Eve, according to the town hall of the South American metropolis.
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