Italy’s Ministry of Culture recently unveiled “Pompeii is Art,” a program of 10 concerts set to take place in the ancient amphitheater of Pompeii Archaeological Park this summer.
Carmen Consoli (June 8) and John Legend (June 11) kick things off in June. After a short break, Russell Crowe in his Indoor Garden Party act will rev things up again on July 9. Il Volo (July 17), Biago Antonacci (July 18, 19, 20), pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi (July 12); 1960s pop band Pooh (July 22); and songwriter Francesco De Gregori (July 26) round out the program.
Crowe, in particular, has signaled his excitement. The Ministry of Culture reposted a video message on X (formerly Twitter) in which the New Zealand-born actor-turned-musician expressed thanks for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“What an incredible privilege,” Crowe said. “I can’t wait. It’s going to be really good.”
Undersecretary of Culture Gianmarco Mazzi said in a statement that musicians can be a “resource” for cultural heritage and monuments. “It is a natural alliance; they bring monuments to life, they are the first ambassadors of beauty and popular culture,” Mazzi said.
About the venue
Built in 70 BCE, Pompeii’s Anfiteatro degli Scavi is the oldest known Roman gladiator arena in the world. Predating Rome’s Colosseum by about 100 years, it’s believed to have originally held some 20,000 spectators — today it seats around 12,000. In 1971, the stone elliptical space was the site of British rock band Pink Floyd’s iconic concert film, Live in Pompeii (1972).
If you go
Tickets to most concerts are now available via TicketOne.
