Billy Joel and Bryan Adams delight fans in Rome's Colosseum

Rome - Rome's Colosseum provided the dramatic backdrop for the meeting of two grand masters of the international music scene Monday evening.

Piano Man Billy Joel and Canadian rock musician Bryan Adams delighted a singing and dancing mass of fans, who thronged the avenue in front of the imperial forum.

The concert was the musical highlight of the summer and what's more it was completely free.

Draped in the atmospheric light over the 26-metre stage, 46-year- old Adams belted out his greatest hits including Summer of 69 and Run to you.

Then it was the turn of New York super star Billy Joel, 57, who had not performed in Italy for more than 10 years.

Hits such as Innocent Man, the ballad-like Honesty, or the rollicking We didn't start the Fire lit up the hot, Roman summer night.

To cool the fans down, volunteers distributed free bottles of water in their tens of thousands.

For those who couldn't get as far as the Colosseum, 10 enormous screens brought them a view of the action.

Over the last few years, Paul McCartney, Simon & Garfunkel and Elton John have given free concerts at the Colosseum. The events have traditionally been sponsored by Italian telecom.