The annual Raymond Gubbay opera in the round opened at the Royal Albert Hall on 21st February, with a brand new production of Carmen. Autograph has supplied sound and communications for the past four Gubbay opera productions at the Royal Albert Hall. This year's opera is using a large Meyer Sound loudspeaker system, comprising of over 60 UM-1s for vocals and two arrays of MSL-4 and PSW-4, for the orchestra mix, while D&B E3 loudspeakers are located in and under the stage as front fill positions.
Early March sees the launch of BBC Four, describing itself as "a world class cultural centre to drop in on every evening." It will be screening a wide range of musical, visual and factual arts programmes. One of its premier musical events will be Fidelio, Beethoven's sublime opera, which will be performed in modern dress, by the Birmingham Opera Company live from Aston Hall - Birmingham, a flamboyant Jacobean style mansion built in the 1600s.
Autograph Sound Recording will be supplying a radio microphone system and foldback facilities to the BBC. Nick Lidster, an Autograph sound designer, will be production engineering the broadcast and has chosen to trial the new Sennheiser SK5012 transmitter, which is half the size of the well established and original SK50. Nick has also selected his favourite lavalier microphone, the DPA 4060, due to its clarity and residence to sweat. Fidelio will be broadcasted live and clear on BBC FOUR at 7pm on 16th March.
(Lee Baldock)
