transtechnik Lichtsysteme became involved with the Bavarian State Opera House as far back as 1998, and were part of the team working on a phased renovation of the theatre. The 10 FDX90 dimmer cabinets installed as part of phase 1 and the 23 FDX2000 cabinets that went in during phase 2 have ensured that the State Opera House now has one of the largest pools of dimmers in Germany. A Digiplus digital auxiliary console is used to control the auxiliary functions (such as working lights and rehearsal lighting), whilst the Prisma NT and Focus NT lighting control consoles from transtechnik's NT family are used for the stage lighting.
Another major innovation is transtechnik Lichtsysteme’s MLC (Moving Light Controller), the first installation of this new desk in a German theatre. In addition to moving lights, the desk is capable of controlling scanners, motorized yokes, shutters, colour changers and barndoors. Designed as an additional console, the MLC monitor allows the engineer a clear overview of all the connected equipment.
The Kammerspiele theatre on the other side of the Maximilianstrasse is scheduled to re-open on 23 March after several years of renovation. Having been involved in equipping the rehearsal stages during the earlier phases of renovation, transtechnik Lichtsysteme was contracted to completely re-equip the theatre. The technical highlight here is the extensive use of the Digiplus auxiliary console, which uses a redundant programmable controller network that provides interfaces for the control units throughout the entire theatre. Equipped with master/slave functions, a total of six Digiplus units (four desk consoles and two wall-mounted consoles in the foyer) provide all the auxiliary functions in the theatre.
(Ruth Rossington)
