The demo took place on 20 November 2009, in two parts: the first entailed a "live" show, presented by Durham Marenghi using the rig put together for the Classical Spectacular, which took place the same week at the Royal Albert Hall. The Classical Spectacular is produced by Raymond Gubbay and has now nearly reached its twentieth year (the anniversary will be celebrated in 2010). It is a blend of classical music with a light show.
LD Durham Marenghi, has always been very attentive to technological progress, and often uses innovative technology for his own work with big names in the music business, theatre world and television. The motorised rig for the Classical Spectacular was provided by Stage Electrics, and Clay Paky lights included 12 Alpha Spot HPE 1500s, eight Alpha Spot HPE 700s, 112 Alpha Beam 700s and 14 Alpha Beam 300s, controlled via a grandMA console.
Marenghi says, "The Alpha series and Classical Spectacular make a perfect combination: I could not imagine a better fusion of a most dramatic classical music Son et Lumiere and the products of one of the leading companies in professional lighting, as regards quality, reliability and innovative capacity, namely Clay Paky."
The second part of the Clay Paky event was held in the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall. It consisted of a closer look at the Alpha 1500 lights, in particular the new Alpha Spot HPE 1500. Enrico Caironi, Clay Paky corporate marketing advisor, and Marco Zucchinali, project support technician, illustrated all the product features to an audience of trade professionals (lighting designers, directors of photography, rental firm managers, production managers, dealers and the trade press) in a detailed technical demo. The event concluded with an informal get-together between the numerous guests, Clay Paky staff and Royal Albert Hall personnel.
The Alpha Spot HPE 1500 was seen in action for the first time on one of the top stages in the world. It is a 1500 watt moving head spotlight, capable of extremely advanced mechanical, optical and lighting performance.
Together with this new light, two others were also introduced: the Alpha Profile 1500 and the Alpha Wash 1500.
Clay Paky sales and marketing manager Pio Nahum said, "it was a highly successful event thanks to the big names involved: the most internationally prestigious orchestras, Raymond Gubbay's spectacular production, the support and endorsement from Durham Marenghi - one of the most qualified professional lighting designers in the trade - and the staff of the Royal Albert Hall, who allowed and promoted this event together with Clay Paky."
For more on the Alpha Spot HPE 1500, see Product News in the December 2009 issue of L&SI Magazine.(Jim Evans)
