Verona's amphitheater concerts criticized
International concert gigantism seems to be reaching its limits. In Italy, a fierce debate has flared up about the sense and nonsense of misappropriating ancient buildings.
According to a report in the Austrian newspaper "Standard", Vincenzo Tiné, the director of the arena, is calling on Verona's mayor Flavio Tosi to be more cautious with permits for large concerts in the amphitheatre. The monument is endangered by the numerous events. Tosi takes a different view. He points out that it was precisely the major events that made it financially possible to renovate the arena.
The straw that broke the camel's back for Tiné was the finish of a marathon in the theater, which is not actually allowed to be open for sporting events, and a fireworks display after a Paul McCartney concert.
Alongside the Colosseum in Rome and the Arena in Capua, the Arena in Verona is one of the largest ancient theaters that can be used for performances. It has space for 22,000 spectators and excellent acoustics.
