Barbra Streisand canceled her concert in Rome next month — a move that followed protests by Italian consumer groups angered by what they said were excessively high ticket prices.
Concert organizers indicated the decision was not connected to the outcry, saying that production delays had forced them to scrap the June 15 concert in the capital's Stadio Flaminio, what would have been the singer's first concert in Italy and the start of her European tour.
"We deeply apologize to the fans in Rome," tour promoter Michael Cohl said, adding that ticket holders would be given a refund and given the opportunity to book a spot for one of Streisand's other European concerts.
Last week, consumer groups Codacons and Adusbef protested as "absurd and shameful" ticket prices ranging from just under $200 to more than $1,200, calling on authorities to deny Streisand use of the 24,000-seat stadium.