Produced by Toronto-based Glenn Gould Foundation, the student concert was the culmination of a three-day celebration honouring Dr. José Antonio Abreu, founder of the Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra and recipient of the 2008 Glenn Gould Prize.
"I'm sure it was a transforming moment for the young people there," says Brian Levine, managing director of the Glenn Gould Foundation. "It was a breathtaking musical experience, and it ended with the shouting adulation you'd expect for rock superstars."
David Brazeau of Solotech was tasked with the design specifics, with the goal to tackle challenges imposed by the stadium's long reverberation time and the more than 50 mics on stage. The loudspeaker configuration was anchored by 28 front-facing Milo line array loudspeakers, with 32 Mica line array loudspeakers supplying side coverage. The system also comprised 14 700-HP subwoofers (six flown, eight ground-stacked), four UPQ-1P loudspeakers for corner-fill, and 10 UPA-1P loudspeakers for front-fill and overhead stage monitors.
A Galileo loudspeaker management system controlled the system, with tuning by Solotech's David Vincent using the SIM 3 audio analyser. All audio systems and support personnel were provided through joint sponsorship of Meyer Sound and Solotech. FOH duties were served by John Pellowe of Meyer Sound and former FOH engineer for Luciano Pavarotti.
"I had expected the energetic, colourful Latin selections to have a lot of impact, but I was surprised by the core classical material," says Levine. "The finale of Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony you could equate to a fine concert hall experience. It was effective, powerful, and true to the music."
Yet, it is the concert's impact on the future orchestral musicians and conductors that really matter, Levine explains. "This was an event that touched the lives of many young people and we are gratified that John and Helen Meyer expressed personal interest in sponsoring the project."
(Jim Evans)
