2013 marks the bicentenary of the birth of Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, and to honour the occasion, the Fondazione Teatro La Fenice decided to perform Verdi's famous opera Otello' in the stunning outdoor environment of the 15th century courtyard of the Palazzo Ducale, in the heart of Venice. The event revived a tradition of presenting outdoor performances at the Ducal Palace that ran from 1949-67, and the work itself is a passionate tribute to the city.
In addition to a series of live performances the concerts also needed to be recorded, which gave sound engineer, Antonio Martino of MASclassica a problem in that he required a large number of ultra-reliable, remote-controlled mic pres and audio channels of exceptional quality to be installed unobtrusively, at a significant distance from the recording system. Another challenging requirement was that the setup needed to be installed and then stripped down in the shortest possible time. What system would check all the boxes?
For Martino and fellow engineer, Claudio Speranzini, the perfect solution was RedNet, Focusrite's flagship range of studio-quality networked audio interfaces that harness the power of the robust and reliable Dante Ethernet-based audio networking protocol. RedNet enabled Martino to place inputs exactly where they were needed around an extensive set involving the 40-piece Orchestra and the Chorus of the Teatro La Fenice plus the Venetian Little Singers and an extensive roster of leading soloists, all under the baton of Myung-Whun Chung.
Martino used four RedNet 4 units - each providing eight of Focusrite's latest and most transparent remote-controlled mic preamps - for the on-stage microphones, employing 16 channels for the orchestra and another 16 for the choir, stage and audience microphones. Two RedNet 4s were located at the front of the stage and two at the back.
At the side of the stage a RedNet 1 unit providing eight line-level inputs and outputs with premium A-D/D-A convertors was used to bring audio in from wireless mics and to output monitoring feeds.
All of the RedNet units were connected to a common gigabit network switch via standard Cat 6 Ethernet cable, which was plugged directly into a MacBook Pro running Steinberg's Nuendo software for recording. A second MacBook Pro was used to capture a backup copy from the same network.
To get audio into the computer and to control and route the RedNet units on the Dante network Martino used Dante's Virtual Soundcard alongside RedNet Control and Dante Controller software. The configuration with the Dante Controller software was very quick and easy, says Martino. The matrix allows immediate management of inputs and outputs.
Martino explains, For me, one of the most interesting aspects of this installation - in common with other projects where I've used RedNet - was how simple it was to interconnect the modules via a single Ethernet cable. We could use extended cable runs, sometimes as long as 40 metres, without having to resort to tens of metres of analogue cables, snakes or whatever. In addition, the ability to remote-control the units allowed us to place the preamplifiers extremely close to the instruments to capture the very best sound.
As far as RedNet's sound quality is concerned, Martino says: I found the quality and transparency of the mic preamps was excellent: not only on this project but also during our recording of Rossini's opera Litaliana in Algeri'. The latter performance was recorded in the Teatro Rossini at the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro.
The simplicity of Dante networking made it possible to build an exceptionally flexible and easily configured system in a very short time. It also delivered studio-grade sound quality with Focusrite's traditional mastery of digital conversion and legendary transparent, accurate preamps.
The performance was shot with 11 cameras on HD video and will be broadcast on Sky Classica in Italy on Giuseppe Verdi's birthday in October, as well being scheduled for disc release.
New to the RedNet range are RedNet 5 and RedNet 6, which provide a bi-directional bridge between the Dante audio network and Pro Tools|HD or MADI systems.
For more information please visit the RedNet Enquiry Site, email rednet@focusrite.com or call (+44) 08458940874.
Pro Tools|HD is a trademark or registered trademark of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
20/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/08/2026
IPC Expands Brazilian Presence with New Channel Partner CCATech
Industry veterans Carlos Abrah o and Bruno Lopes strengthen local support and expand IPCs prese...
20/08/2026
Zixi Enters Mauritius Market Through Strategic Deployment with MTC Jockey Club
Worlds Oldest Horse Racing Club in the Southern Hemisphere Selects Zixis Softwar...
20/08/2026
LA JOLLA, CA-Scripps Research assistant professor Tiantian Liu has received a five-year NIAID DP2 award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Di...
20/08/2026
Audiences reveal appetite for multicultural Australia on-screen 20 August 2026
Dr Georgie McClean, Dr Rebecca Huntley (L-R)
By Dr Georgie McClean and Dr Rebec...
20/08/2026
How Mavis Studio Is Expanding Live Production Teaching at Sussex
Brie Clayton August 19, 2026
0 Comments
Hero image displays a student about to mix be...
20/08/2026
Vertical Unscripted Series Legal Queens Captured with Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton August 19, 2026
0 Comments
Reality TV veteran Eric Gardner create...
19/08/2026
As the cost of IP nears price parity with traditional SDI, Reynolds argues that ...
19/08/2026
A private 5G bubble was chosen instead of traditional broadcast RF for the race ...
19/08/2026
(L-R) Rafael Manuel and Isabel Sicat attend the Filipi ana premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at The Ray Theatre on January 23, 2026, in Park Cit...
19/08/2026
Studio owners invited to have their say on rates cuts
The Music Producers Guild (MPG) are inviting UK-based studios to take part in an in-depth survey that ...
19/08/2026
Vintage-inspired desktop interface revealed
Harrison's latest hardware offering sees them head into the world of audio interfaces, delivering a 10-in/12...
19/08/2026
Granular effect remains locked to scale and tempo
Described as your dream granular effect , Minimal Audio's latest creation is capable of turning any s...
19/08/2026
First polyphonic SWAM instrument incoming
Audio Modeling's latest physical-modelling orchestral instrument is just around the corner, and is now availab...
19/08/2026
World Cup Games Generate 84 Billion Minutes Across FOX, Fox Sports 1 and NBCU...
19/08/2026
July brought typical peak-holiday drops in viewership, driven primarily by viewers stepping away from screens and a visible decline in reach across both traditi...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Henry joins BCE as the company accelerates its commercial strategy and expands its international presence across the media, broadcast and technology markets. He...
19/08/2026
iWedia, a leading provider of software solutions for connected TV devices, today announced a major milestone in Android platform optimization with the successfu...
19/08/2026
NTP Technology announces that ST 2110-30 audio-over-IP connectivity with AES67 and RAVENNA capabilities is now available for the brand's world-class audio i...
19/08/2026
Net Insight has been selected to provide its Nimbra platform by the service provider Big Blue Marble, formerly ORS Group, as the core media transport solution f...
19/08/2026
LiveU has supported Coventry City FC and several other top-flight UK football clubs through one of their most demanding live production challenges of the year, ...
19/08/2026
Nature Seekers Documentary Shot with Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF
Brie Clayton August 18, 2026
0 Comments
Filming endangered turtles required camera...
19/08/2026
Neyrinck Brings D-Control Consoles Back to Life on Apple Silicon with D-Control ...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Riedel Communications today announced that Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia, implemented a comprehensive communications infrastructure that brin...
19/08/2026
QuickLink, a leading provider of award-winning video production and remote guest contribution solutions, will spotlight a major leap forward in remote guest con...
19/08/2026
Integrated platform melds media asset management, playout automation and newsroom workflows
EMAM, PlayBox Neo and SNEWS have officially launched Nuvex, a conne...
19/08/2026
Screen Australia releases the Private Investment Toolkit to strengthen screen in...
19/08/2026
Do Aussies truly value local content? Unpacking Screen Currency 2026 with Deirdr...
19/08/2026
There's an early Christmas gift for Bookish fans, as UKTV confirms the re-commission of the hit U&alibi drama, created by and starring Mark Gatiss. Viewers ...
19/08/2026
Wednesday 19 August 2026
Sky gives sports fans the chance to watch multiple liv...
19/08/2026
On Saturday September 5 Katie Taylor will step into the ring for the fight of her life against Flora Pili in front of 80,000 fans in Croke Park. A legendary fig...
18/08/2026
SportStream 2026, a free three-day virtual event, will take place September 15-17. One registration provides access to all three days of live programming and on...
18/08/2026
BeckTV will introduce BeckFlow to the European market at IBC2026, demonstrated on the Providius stand (10.F53).
BeckFlow is a web-based schematic documentation...
18/08/2026
Boland Communications will introduce a SMPTE ST 2110 input option for its 4K monitors at IBC2026, along with a new 55-inch super-narrow bezel display for video ...
18/08/2026
Dolby Laboratories and the Seattle Seahawks have announced a partnership integrating Dolby OptiView into the Seahawks' live streaming coverage, making the S...
18/08/2026
For BMG Executive Producer of Sports Production, Graham Taylor, producing live s...
18/08/2026
TMRW Sports has appointed Rufus Hack as President of Golf, a newly created role in which he will lead the company's golf businesses including TGL presented ...
2013 marks the bicentenary of the birth of Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, and to honour the occasion, the Fondazione Teatro La Fenice decided to perform Verdi's famous opera Otello' in the stunning outdoor environment of the 15th century courtyard of the Palazzo Ducale, in the heart of Venice. The event revived a tradition of presenting outdoor performances at the Ducal Palace that ran from 1949-67, and the work itself is a passionate tribute to the city.
