The Stadio dei Marmi sporting complex, which stands next to Rome’s Olympic stadium on the Foro Italico, will be turned into a music venue for a series of concerts that will end this year’s Estate Romana.

Musical producer David Zard will transform the stadium into a 6,500-seat arena for “Opere Sotto le Stelle” between 4 and 29 September, which will host five productions by some of Italy’s most noted singer-songwriters: “Notre Dame de Paris” by Riccardo Cocciante and Pasquale Panella, “Tosca Amore Disperato” by Lucio Dalla, “Dracula” by PFM and Vincenzo Incenzo, “Pia de’Tolomei” by Gianna Nannini and Pia Pera, and “Federico II – La danza del falcone” by Antonio Maiello. Zard plans to extend the musical arena project for 2008 so that it will be open all summer, beginning in June.

The full programme for this year’s Estate Romana – a series of concerts, exhibitions and theatre events over the summer months funded predominantly by the city council – is due to be announced in mid-June. For updates check www.estateromana.comune.roma.it.