For the first time, the Madison (Wisc.) Opera company opened itsconcert season with a sound reinforcement system. The completesystem—including setup, teardown and engineering—wassupplied by Bag End Loudspeaker Systems.
The system was provided by Bag End’s dealer, Full Compass(Middleton, Wisc.).
”With a concert quality sound system and national touringquality staging and lighting to enhance the experience, ‘Opera inthe Park’ provided the kind of setting that really showcased thegreat young talent that performed,” Ann Stanke, general directorof Madison Opera, said.“ And for the audience, young and old, itwas an evening they will not soon forget.”
To ensure the best possible sound, Bag End assigned its director ofengineering, search and development, Henry Heine, to quarterback thesetup and operation of the sound system. “Despite the fact thatthe event was in an outdoor setting on a grassy hillside, we wanted toprovide the best system we knew how to put together,” Heine said.“It not only had to cover a widely scattered audience, butbecause of the nature of program, it had to perform very wellmusically, as well. And judging from the audience reaction, weaccomplished that goal.”
Heine and his crew chose six Bag End Crystal midrange, high-outputspeaker systems flown in a stereo array for the main speaker arrays.They augmented those with four Opal high-output delay signal speakerson towers. The bottom end was supplied by three Bag End Quartz,quad-18, high-output subwoofers for a total of 12 18-inch subwooferspumping out bass. Heine also used four Bag End Sapphire speaker systemsas floor monitors. He mixed the system on a Tascam DM24 mixing console.Also included in the system was a mix of studio-quality microphones,supplied by Full Compass.
“We brought in some of the hottest new voices in opera,”Stanke said. “And we were pleased that one of the mostsought-after young American conductors on today’s opera scene,Steven White, conducted this special event.” In addition tohearing the Madison Symphony Orchestra under White’s direction,and the Madison Opera chorus, those attending were treated toperformances by opera Paula Delligatti, soprano; Angela Horn, mezzo;Andrew Richards, tenor; and Thomas Barrett, baritone.
More information on Full Compass can be obtained on thecompany’s Website, www.fullcompass.com. More information about“Opera in the Park” can be found on the Madison OperaWebsite, www.madisonopera.org. Bag End can be found onlineat www.bagend.com.
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