The work involved full replacement of the existing lighting equipment for the main stage, as well as innovative approaches to networking. The task was huge, and made even more challenging by the regulations governing the restoration of this historical building.
ADB equipment is at the heart of the system and includes Phoenix 10/XT and 5/XT control systems, interfaced via Ethernet directly with the computer running the modelling software, along with over 1,000 channels of Eurodim 3 digital dimming, controlled over ADB's Advanced Dimmer Network (ADN) and the related Dimmer Manager Software. A wide range of ADB luminaires installed includes Europe 2 kW PC, Fresnel and profile spotlights, as well as Niethammer 2.5 kW profiles.
DOKA Media also created a control system for staging and rehearsal lighting, based on Ethernet signal distribution, providing significant benefits including high speed signal transfer, expandability, high reliability, control from one desk, the ability to use any number of desks from multiple manufacturers, remote programme setting for all system elements, and system status monitoring from any location.
Anatoli Airapetiants, technical director of DOKA, also saw it as crucial for the success of the project to train and motivate the lighting technicians to understand every aspect of the system, allowing them to unlock its full potential.
The theatre's official opening began with the premiere of Mozart's Marriage of Figaro. Don Quixote, Carmen, Giselle and Eugene Onegin also feature on this season's schedule.
(Jim Evans)
