Rome: The newly appointed director of Rome’s most famous landmark has poured cold water on rumours that the Colosseum could soon be hosting raves.

Simone Quilici, who took charge of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum on 20 October, said his comments about bringing concerts and performances to the 2,000-year-old amphitheatre had been misinterpreted after social media posts suggested “massive EDM parties” were in the works.

Speaking to The Associated Press, Quilici said he had faced backlash from archaeologists and Romans alike, worried that the city’s cultural heritage would be desecrated. Even fans of electronic music, he noted, had expressed concern about the damage loud bass could inflict on the ancient structure — which still reveals new discoveries, such as the emperor’s secret passage reopening on 27 October.

What did he say that was misinterpreted?

“The music must be carefully controlled,” said Quilici, 55, in his first interview with foreign media since assuming his new post. “I mentioned certain artists — not by accident — who haven’t been ‘rock’ for some time, who play calm music and attract a calm audience, because the important thing is that it’s not a wild crowd. I joked about rock in moderation — that’s what I meant, a more subdued kind of music. But it was reported the opposite of what I said.”

Quilici said the Colosseum could eventually host acoustic or jazz concerts, citing Sting as an example, along with poetry readings, dance performances and theatre productions once the existing small stage is expanded. Also under consideration are historical reenactments of gladiatorial battles, rooted in academic research.

“There are people who are extremely knowledgeable about daily life in past eras, with a remarkable level of scientific accuracy. So these activities are very welcome within the Colosseum park,” he said.

He emphasised that these events would be the opposite of the costumed centurions who loiter around the monument at night, harassing tourists for paid photos. The Colosseum’s first performances, Quilici added, will take place no sooner than two years from now.

Tourism at Colosseum

Only a handful of concerts have been staged within the amphitheatre: Ray Charles in 2002, Paul McCartney in 2003 and Andrea Bocelli in 2009, all limited-capacity, special events.

“Unfortunately, as everyone knows, tourism is a commercial activity, an industry that does not always connect with culture,” Quilici said from the Colosseum’s uppermost balcony. “Bringing cultural activities into the mix would enrich this place, making it not only a site to visit, but also a place where one can experience and enjoy artistic events.”

The Colosseum welcomed nearly nine million visitors last year, up from seven million in 2022. Even in October, well beyond the peak tourist season, the site was packed, a surge driven partly by the Vatican’s Jubilee Year, held every 25 years, which continues to attract large groups of pilgrims.

Quilici acknowledged that the Colosseum is already at full capacity and wants to encourage tourists to explore nearby attractions instead. The park he oversees also includes the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, yet one-third of visitors only see the Colosseum despite tickets covering all three sites.

“Last year, tourists in Rome didn’t stay just two and a half days; their visits increased to four days. So there’s also the opportunity to use the Colosseum as a starting point for exploring less-visited places,” he said.

Among those lesser-known sites are the Circus Maximus, once the arena of Rome’s thrilling chariot races depicted in Ben-Hur, and the Appian Way, the ancient road that became a UNESCO World Heritage site last year.

Both the Circus Maximus and the Appian Park, which Quilici previously managed are free to visit. His broader ambition is to create better links between Rome’s archaeological sites, currently divided by busy roads, forming a more cohesive cultural area.

“It’s a collective effort, one that requires cooperation from all the different administrations,” Quilici said. “However, it’s more a matter of management than infrastructure costs. Choices that sometimes can be simple decisions like limiting traffic not necessarily involving major expenses, but rather a courageous choice to restore life to the heart of the city of Rome.”