Madonna attracts 1.6 million to free concert at Brazil's Copacabana beach
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - More than a million people thronged Brazil's Copacabana beach for a free Madonna concert on Saturday
braving the heat to see the end of her "Celebration" world tour.
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),
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.
"Rio, here we are, in the most beautiful place in the world, with the ocean, the mountains, Jesus," Madonna told the crowd,
Brazilian pop artists Anitta and Pabllo Vittar, as well as younger musicians from samba schools, participated in the show.