
Prolight Sound 2020: Opus - German Stage Prize' for Rigoletto in Bregenz posted: 23/01/2020
Rigoletto: Philipp St lzl brings a giant clown to life
A version of the most popular Italian operas that redefines the limits of the possible has been enchanting visitors to the Seeb hne' (Lake stage) in Bregenz since the beginning of the 2019 season. The production of Rigoletto by Munich-based director Philipp St lzl has been selected for this year's Opus - German Stage Award'. The centrepiece of the opulent and technically elaborate set are the moveable parts of a colossal clown, which reflects the fate of Rigoletto. Another part of the set, a tethered balloon, floats up to 45 metres above Lake Constance.
The presentation of the Opus has been part of the Prolight Sound trade fair in Frankfurt since 2002. The award is one of the most important distinctions for outstanding stage productions and honours extraordinary achievements in the use of technology for the settings of theatre productions, concerts, open-air events, etc. The jury and the trustees of the award comprise representatives of the German Media and Event Technology Association (VPLT), the European Association of Event Centres (EVVC) and other experts from the sector, as well as representatives of the trade press and Messe Frankfurt. The presentation ceremony will be held during an evening event during Prolight Sound on 2 April 2020.
A 35-tonne moving head with a removable nose, a 338 square metre collar controlled by a cable winch, two movable hands made of steel, wood and polystyrene, a tethered balloon filled with 1,300 cubic metres of helium: alone the dimensions of the set are breath-taking. And no compromises have been made when it comes to the event technology, too: over 300 spotlights, 60 of them moving lights, ensure the right atmosphere while the total output of the stage's sophisticated sound systems amounts to no less than 220,000 watts. Nevertheless, the bubbling, artistic imagination of director and stage designer Phillipp St lzl was the decisive factor in the choice of Rigoletto in Bregenz as this year's Opus winner. Thus, the jury was highly impressed not only by the extremely sophisticated hydraulic control of the life-like clown parts but also, in particular, by the integration of the opera dramaturgy in the technical aspects. In Bregenz, the technology is not just there for technology's sake but goes hand-in-hand with the implementation of an artistic idea.
Rigoletto: Philipp St lzl brings a giant clown to life
Rigoletto is the result of a process that took three years from the planning stage to the final corrections. Just building the stage took ten months and involved no less than 46 equipment suppliers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The target-oriented collaboration between the various technological disciplines has produced an impressive, all-embracing holistic musical and theatrical experience. Philipp St lzl and his team took a calculated risk in scenic, artistic and technical terms. And mastered it in an outstanding way.
Opus - German Stage Prize' for Rigoletto in Bregenz
In its first season in Bregenz, Rigoletto was a huge success with capacity audiences throughout. St lzl's gigantic and colourful spectacle begins its second season on 23 July 2020.
Background information on Messe Frankfurt
Messe Frankfurt is the world's largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With more than 2,600* employees at 30 locations, the company generates annual sales of around 733* million. We have close ties with our industry sectors and serve our customers' business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of the Group's key USPs is its closely knit global sales network, which extends throughout the world. Our comprehensive range of services - both onsite and online - ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. Headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
06/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/02/2026
How invisible vaccine scaffolding boosts HIV immune response Scripps Research scientists designed a DNA scaffold that carries HIV vaccine proteins into the bo...
05/02/2026
Three examples of how wireless microphones are deployed to bring fans in deep an...
05/02/2026
Broadcast coverage will include 25 cameras distributed around the venues, including to some athletes; Galaxy AI Interpreter will also be deployed
The Opening C...
05/02/2026
Kiswe has partnered with the Mountain West Conference to power the next iteratio...
05/02/2026
NBCUniversal and Roku announce the launch of the 2026 NBC Winter Olympics Experience, a destination delivering NBCUniversal's comprehensive CTV coverage of ...
05/02/2026
Vizrt, which specializes in live production technology as well as transforming v...
05/02/2026
Canon USA has launched the RF7-14mm F2.8-3.5 L fisheye STM zoom lens and the RF14mm F1.4 L VCM prime lens. Building on Canon's legacy of innovative optics, ...
05/02/2026
The Paul E. Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell in Massachusetts has chosen Ikegami cameras for incorporation into its broadcast-quality television production facili...
05/02/2026
Once again, service members and Veterans worldwide will enjoy free access to NBC...
05/02/2026
Advanced Systems Group, LLC (ASG), a technology and services provider for media ...
05/02/2026
Broadcast Management Group (BMG) is strengthening its leadership team to support...
05/02/2026
NBC Sports selects Comcast Technology Solutions (CTS) to provide multiscreen vid...
05/02/2026
AIM Sports Group, a sports enterprise dedicated to elevating youth athletics thr...
05/02/2026
Designed for efficient use of shared services and resources, the home of OBS pro...
05/02/2026
The Yankees fan from Connecticut is executive producer of BTN StudentU for the Wolverines
In the live-sports-video industry, the future is bright. Our series S...
05/02/2026
In an Olympic first, the ceremony will be held in four locations simultaneously...
05/02/2026
Members of the broadcast and tech communities share four decades of memories of the technology leader
The 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics are upon us, and every O...
05/02/2026
Key vendors include Appear, Audio-Technica, Canon, Chyron, Cisco, Comcast Techno...
05/02/2026
Since bringing audiobooks to Spotify in 2022, we've helped listeners discove...
05/02/2026
Today, Spotify announced two new updates to give book lovers a more personalized...
05/02/2026
A U.S. Coast Guard HC-130J aircraft during a test flight at L3Harris' facility in Waco, Texas....
05/02/2026
Al Seer Marine and L3Harris have announced a strategic partnership combining UAE...
05/02/2026
AI should balance automation (replacing tasks) and augmentation (empowering humans). Automate the mundane and augment the creative by applying the right AI type...
05/02/2026
During this period, streaming comprised the majority of ad supported TV (45.6%),...
05/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/02/2026
Advanced Systems Group, LLC (ASG), a technology and services provider for media creatives and content owners, announced the appointment of Derek Pezzotti as Sen...
05/02/2026
Taurus Technologies, a Dallas-area professional AV systems integrator, has upgraded its in-house podcast studio with Brightline Lighting's AV/720 low-voltag...
05/02/2026
NBC Universal to Present XXV Olympic Winter Games Feb. 6-22 and Milan Cortina Paralympics March 6-15
NBC Sports to Utilize Grass Valley's Frame Rate Conver...
05/02/2026
Atomos today announced Shogun AV-19, a rack-mountable, 19-inch 4K HDR monitor-recorder-switcher designed for professional live production, broadcast, and video ...
05/02/2026
Vizrt, the leader in live production technology, revolutionizing viewer experience and engagement, today introduces two brand new solutions in partnership with ...
05/02/2026
Appear, a global leader in live production technology, today announced the appointment of Simon Frost in a newly created role as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). ...
05/02/2026
New York gaffer Noah Chamis, ICLS ( You Deserve Each Other , The Half of It , Project Runway ) practices a mix of technical precision and creative play in his...
05/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/02/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
05/02/2026
BBC Studios and UKTV have appointed Karin Marelle to lead their Global Acquisitions team, overseeing the sourcing of content across BBC Studios' global chan...
05/02/2026
Thursday 5 February 2026
The Miniature Wife, A Sky Exclusive comedy drama starr...
05/02/2026
Thursday 5 February 2026
Trailer Revealed for Sky Original Film FUZE starring A...
05/02/2026
Rohde & Schwarz at MWC Barcelona 2026: Enabling connections, empowering innovati...