There were three intermissions during the Aida performance, two during Carmen and one during Madama Butterfly.

Before each intermission (‘interval’ to you) there is a ritual in which the singers take their bows from the center of the stage, then all walk over to the right side and bow again, then back to the center for more bows, and then the same on the left, which is where they finally exit.

When this ritual is over the floodlights go on and the air is immediately filled with eager young voices calling “Gelati! Ice Cream!”

“Gelati! Ice Cream!”

One night some of the people behind me were annoyed about this, calling it a “Stilbruch” (they were Germans, obviously), but I find it just one more charming aspect of a night at the Arena.

“Gelati! Ice Cream!”

Making a sale

Making another sale

Business is booming

An ice cream girl and an usher in sector D

Here one of the ice cream girls (in a yellow T-shirt) was talking with an usher (in a blue blouse). From what I understood of their conversation, it had to do with the necessity of holding the ice cream box on or above her head part of the time so she could get through the crowds.

Selling ice cream in sector C before the show

There were several young black women selling ice cream in the Arena. In this photo the numbered seats below are still empty, because they haven’t even opened up those gates yet. (They don’t have to, because the numbered seats are reserved, so these people can take their time and have a leisurely supper or aperitivo before entering the Arena.)

The floodlights are starting to dim

Here one of the ice cream girls is hastening to get out of the way as the floodlights start to dim and the spectators light their candles.

My photos in this post are from 2006. I revised the text in 2018.

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