Know-how

Royal CANTUS

Hannover's traditional Opera has existed for almost 150 years – George V. had it built then, with a personal box providing an optimum view. But times, they are a-changing: Where once aristocrats used to eavesdrop to fashionable operas, a CANTUS console is accommodated today. The royal box now serves as the Opera's studio and control room.

Control from Front of House

The small slave console can be installed in seven different places. One of the sockets for the unit is located at the control position for rehearsals where the audio engineer can start playbacks and audio effects or try the balance of an effect while directly hearing it in the hall as it will be heard by the audience. Under some circumstances, playbacks during the performance cannot be started from the control room, which explains the large number of sockets for the transportable console. This setup creates maximum flexibility for the audio crew to interact with the actors on stage. Since the control room is fairly small, there is a separate studio for production purposes. The second CANTUS is installed here. It is connected to the same NEXUS router as the »live« console. Both desks can therefore access identical audio sources and microphones. A signal-routing system as complex, rugged, and convenient as this has become possible only with the advent of digital designs: The fibre-optic interconnections of the system are immune to interference from the multitude of dimmer circuits and spotlights typically to be found in theatres.

Fibre-Optics for Historic Walls

The microphone and power amps at the Hannover Opera have been installed close to the stage, where a high degree of isolation against hum and noise can be guaranteed. Another aspect can become important in historic buildings: the fibre-optic cables are thin and are easier to integrate if the least possible alteration to the structure of the historic building is desirable. This requirement has played a role in many installations performed by Stage Tec such as the Akademietheater in Vienna and the Schauspielhaus in Dresden.

Five-Hour Marathon Start

In Hannover, however, more emphasis was put on the features of the CANTUS consoles. Says Mr. Löffler, chief audio engineer: »Preparing CANTUS for the evening is much more relaxed compared with other consoles due to its simple and stable automation.« Löffler definitely knows what he's talking about: The first mission of CANTUS and NEXUS in Hannover was a 5 hours marathon – Wagner's Mastersingers of Nuremberg. What a masterly baptism of fire!