These are suspended over the stage and used to reflect the onstage action and the floor itself using 12 model LL Lodestar hoists, controlled by Kinesys flexible Vector software, running via 12 Kinesys Elevation 1+ variable-speed hoist controllers. The floor consists of a set of printed scenes, specifically designed to be read in themirrors, providing either an atmospheric 'set' backdrop or a more stylistic, abstract effect. One mirror is used per act. Each is moved throughout the act to highlight and convey particular elements of the print or parts of the action to the audience.
Each mirror is mounted onto a box of tower truss, picked up by a total of four model LL Lodestars, converted to run via the Elevation 1+ controller. The mirrors are stored in the Opera House fly tower, suspended from two of their motors. Before the curtain rises, the Act 1 mirror is lowered onto the stage and re-slung, utilizing all four of its motors, before being lifted back up into show position. It's then moved at key moments throughout the Act to pick up the set or action as required. At the end of Act 1, the rigging/storage process is reversed, and begins again with the next mirror.
The show movement process ends with the storage of the Act 2 mirror, and the enabling of the Act 3 mirror. At the end of the show, the Act 3 mirror is either stored for the next show, or all three mirrors are completely de-rigged and stored in the wings to make room for another opera in the repertory programme.
The motors and the Elevation 1+s are rigged in the grid, with power and data supply from a Kinesys PD-ES distro situated on the fly floor. The PC-based controller is positioned stage left. Summit's Jay Call went to Helsinki to set up and programme the system and to train operator Kim Juntunen. Call also worked closely with FNO's stage manager Hannu Aario and maintenance technician Marko Leppänen.
The Vector control software allowed the multitude of cues required in the performance to be plotted very quickly and then edited consistently in a 'live' state; a highly fluid approach which proved "invaluable" for the production. Der Rosenkavalier's entire technical infrastructure was designed by Marco Arturo Marelli.
