28
TECH PROFILE
WATERWORKS FUSING CONTEMPORARY AND CLASSICAL MUSIC WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART LIGHTING, SOUND DESIGN AND PROJECTION, SUNBEAM PRODUCTIONS AND THE BALTIC SEA PHILHARMONIC EMBARKED ON THEIR FIRST MIDDLE EAST OFFERING, AS TPMEA DISCOVERS…
The Baltic Sea Philharmonic and Sunbeam Productions took to the Dubai Opera and the Emirates Palace, located in Abu Dhabi, to stage a two-date tour which transported attendees in each region on a journey through the different facets and forms of water; from the dramatic power of the Amazonas in South America to the gentle, soft springs in the North. Tasked with ensuring this unique vision was delivered to the best possible standard was Production Manager, Ricarda-Selina Reichert, of Sunbeam Productions. She took up the story: “The search for suppliers was complicated by long negotiations, which led to many design changes and new budget calculations. In the end, our audio supplier, Delta Sound, was a vendor which was highly recommended to me several times over, and with whom our sound designer had already worked. For our audio needs, it of course made the decision easier. Another advantage was that they knew both the venues.” Led by Project Manager Jaco Saaiman, PRG Gearhouse was also brought on board to supply projection, lighting and rigging across both shows. Reichert continued: “I knew PRG before, from other collaborations, so we already had a certain relationship of trust. Their German team had conducted the negotiations closely with the Middle Eastern team, which made the work a bit easier from my POV. Due to the tight install and
ME
load out times, it was very important that we had a partner which was available at all times. My expectations were not disappointed.” Saaiman commented: “PRG thoroughly enjoyed working on such a unique show with Sunbeam Productions. The organisation was fantastic, enabling a seamless effort to deliver a unique and spectacular event. The audience reaction to the show was fantastic and our client was very happy. We look forward to working with the production again when it visits this region.” Dubbed by Saaiman as a ‘magazine-style artistic picture story that is designed to immerse the audience’, both of the Middle Eastern venues became the canvas for large-scale projection with lighting and audio creating a multi-sensory experience. Reichert recounted the potentially tricky pre-production process. “My relationship with this project is very special because it was [Creative Director and Baltic Sea Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor] Kristjan Järvi who started this orchestra 10 years ago, with the idea to create an orchestra that is able to adapt to all of the situations the kind of productions ask from musicians these days.” The Baltic Sea Philharmonic comprises a community of musicians from the 10 countries that the Baltic Sea transcends. Reichert articulated: “The Baltic Sea Philharmonic Orchestra has been developed into a group
of excited musicians who are ready to play in new concert formats and are always motivated to make the impossible possible. I have never seen an orchestra that can adapt so flexibly in such a short period of time without losing its motivation and ambition. Each time they perform, they seem to find new places and technical implementations. You can’t rely on the concert being played the same way today as tomorrow because Kristjan Järvi likes to try out new things, and that alone is always a challenge!” she exclaimed. “The orchestra is not only incredibly talented but also very young. They are also part of the stage effects and must not be disturbed. This requires a lot of concentration, but also a willingness to play under these demanding circumstances.” Järvi explained: “Waterworks creates an overall immersion into our shared Baltic Sea cultures, unifying the world from the Baltic Sea into the world’s oceans, rivers, streams and lakes. A spiritual, emotional and musical journey from its own Nordic roots, spreading to the southern parts of our world.” He furthered: “This new approach of having a personal and emotional experience in a concert engages participation, connects to the ‘here and now’ and brings together ideas, people, emotions, cultures, and our own intuitive connection to nature. It shows that the orchestra
