So the only photo you get from this morning's exertions is of the Circus Maximus.
I finally escaped the bus back in Rome and happily walked from then on. Had a pizza near the Coliseum, went home for a nap, started packing, then ventured out again.
Piazza Navona with Bernini's fountains was glorious, despite the heat. I was desperate for somewhere to sit down in the shade but the church with steps had, in a very Christian way, fenced them off!
Then I walked a circuit right around the staging area and found this welcome oasis.
Welcome because I hadn't had dinner, so a sandwich and glass of wine helped.
The opera had a modern setting. So much so, that Carmen took a selfie with Escamillo, the bull-fighter! This set, for Acts 1 and 2, is at the US and Mexico border. I expected a Trump reference any moment, but it didn't happen.
And for Acts 2 and 3 we are in the mountains, and you can see the background has been removed leaving the stark ruins of the Baths. Onto these, actual mountains were projected, making the whole thing very real. They played with it a bit - well more than a bit - at one moment the presidents' of Mount Rushmore were projected.
It was a magical night at the opera.