The Tokyo Ballet at the Caracalla Baths

Our final musical event on Zoe's birthday was to the Tokyo Ballet at the Caracalla Baths, just south of the Circus Maximus. The second largest Roman public baths, built in Rome between AD 212 and 216. They would have had to install over 2,000 tons of building material every day for 6 years in order to complete it in this time. Between huge pillars, a stage had been constructed for the dancers. It was a magical experience - starting at 9pm in the dusk and gradually getting darker, with the lights coming on. The program featured 3 ballets - a set of Greek Dances by composer Mikis Theodorakis, Variations by Chopin on a theme by  Mozart, ending with the Rite of Spring which was quite ferocious. However it needed more color and scenery, it was rather bland with the off-white costumes.