An array of Claypaky lighting fixtures illuminated the Smetanova Litomyšl Festival, the second oldest music festival in the Czech Republic and one of the country’s largest classical music festivals. From 14 June to 6 July the 67th edition returned to its traditional setting of the courtyard of a Renaissance castle in Litomyšl, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where it delighted national and international guests.
Prague-based LightNeq, which specialises in premium sound, lighting, video and staging solutions with internationally recognized brands, provided the Claypaky fixtures, which included seven Rhapsodyas, 20 Sinfonya Profile 600s and 24 Midi-B/WWs, all of them capable of extremely quiet operation.
The festival, which dates from 1949, is named for the most famous native of Litomyšl, composerBedřich Smetanova. It offered 47 programs combining opera, symphonic music, ballet and chamber concerts unified by this year’s theme of “Passion” as an artistic motif and a force that connects, inspires and transcends boundaries. It featured the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, other prestigious orchestras, world-class artists and opera companies. Attendees also enjoyed the Festival Gardens, art installations, guided tours, poetry readings and family events.
The designer needed to select lighting fixtures that would be suitable for broadcast and would maximise creativity for the musical scenes. The Claypaky Rhapsodyas were mounted on the second balcony of the castle courtyard while the Sinfonya Profile 600s and Midi-Bs were positioned on movable trusses above the stage and auditorium.
The team also cited the “excellent support” from Claypaky for the festival with a representative from the company on site during the installation.
David Bazik is the Technical Director and Set Designer for the festival.
