The weather forecast for August 31 indicates that there will be a maximum of 35 degrees in Agrigento. But it is also the day on which the Il Volo concert in the Valley of the Temples will have to be recorded. The audience will therefore have to respect a precise dress code: “preferably black or dark-colored clothing, trousers, long dresses and skirts, long-sleeved shirts for men, outerwear or shawls for women”. In fact, the event will be televised on Christmas Eve, on Channel 5. And so, customers are asked to wrap up warm despite the blazing sun. And, preferably, leave children under 14 at home. Finally, “the filming, publication, distribution of photographs, films, digital images or audiovisual recordings” are categorically prohibited.
The controversies
The instructions were given to all those who bought a ticket for the show, promoted as part of the Agrigento Capital of Culture 2025 initiatives, and quickly sparked controversy. But this is not the only aspect of the event that is causing discontent: the costs – equal to one million two hundred thousand euros – and the closure of the archaeological site for 48 hours, from August 31 to September 1, are also in the spotlight. The fact that only those who had been invited could access the public (1,600 people for two evenings) was also controversial. At least that was the initial idea: after the demonstrations, in fact, there was a turnaround. Tickets were then sold for 80 euros, the proceeds of which will be donated to charity.
The word of Coopculture
But as for coats, there is no hindsight. On the page created by Coopculture for the sale of tickets, they try to be ironic: “A layer of snow on the Valley of the Temples? We won't get to that point, but the Christmas atmosphere will reign supreme… that's for sure. So much so that Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca (Barone, Boschetto and Ginoble, the three members of Il Volo ed) ask the public to respect the “dress code” appropriate for an international show which will then be broadcast during the holidays”.
A production “strongly desired by Schifani”
“Joking aside – continues the note published on the organization’s page – the dress code is strongly recommended and the spectators will be filmed, they will have to applaud at key moments, as in any self-respecting television shoot – Il Volo is preparing one of the most exciting performances of his career not to be missed, which, with the Temple of Concordia as a backdrop, will be unforgettable. It will be a real television show, filmed entirely live and then broadcast on national and international networks. A production strongly supported by the President of the Region Renato Schifani to promote and launch Agrigento as the Italian capital of culture.
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