The production involves a circular stage and uses 3D animated film in place of traditional scenery. The Alpha 1500 Beams were chosen by the designers for their ability to provide powerful but high-definition mid-air beams. They form the key component of the lighting rig, and are used as a complement to the cinematic scenery - in one instance the Alphas' well defined beams evoke architectural columns in a scene set in a church, while in another they are used to represent cannons in an artillery scene.
Lighting designer Petr 'Panki' Volek, from Prague-based lighting and sound production company Pink Panther, created the lighting design independently of the film sequences, but programmed the colours and timing of the lighting cues to match the animated films.
"Our company rented Alpha Beams last year, which we tested on several live shows before, and we find them an incredible tool for our opera," said stage designer Radek Havlicek of Pink Panther.
Premiered in Prague, the production will be taken around the world in 2011, touring in China, Japan and the US among other countries.
(Jim Evans)
