Conductor Grigori Penteleîtchouk originally commissioned the production for a small classical music festival - Festival des Nuits Sainte Victoire, in 2009. However, so successful was it that producer Franck Dompietrini and Maestro, Penteleïtchouk, decided to take an expanded version of the production across France and play to the largest audiences possible.
Mannaert used VL3000 spots and washes, as part of a traditional ballet lighting rig, he explains: "I use the Vari-Lite's for punchy key, back and side lighting. There are no props or scenery on stage except for a painted cyclorama that represents the elements earth, wind, fire, water and air. My mission was to bring the images and colours of the cyc out into three-dimensional space while avoiding the trap of delivering a pop or rock style light show."
Mannaert says that the VL3000 Spot Luminaires offered him boundless creative possibilities. "I spec'd both the washes and the spots for their sharp bright beams, smooth dimming and rich colour, all absolutely crucial in ensuring the playing environment was sculptural and atmospheric. The Vari-Lite gobos combined with accurate focusing allowed me to create specific, dynamic looks that worked with the music and the movement of the dancers."
With 228 artists, technicians and production staff on the road the show has toured to some of the largest venues in France including The Zenith, with audiences ranging from 2000 to 4000.
"My biggest artistic challenge is to ensure that all the performers have a perfect view of one another and of the conductor," explains Mannaert. "The choirs stand on each side of stage on risers and the ballet performance is staged in between, with the orchestra at the front. With a choir of 66, orchestra of 56 and 30 dancers, lighting was crucial. Not only to create the atmosphere of the piece but ultimately, to its successful delivery."
(Jim Evans)
