CASE STUDY
OPPORTUNITY
André Rieu needed a tour lighting solution
that was compact, portable, low in weight,
easy to enable quick transitions, and
capable of creating a uniform field and
dynamic effects.
SOLUTION
To meet these goals, designers chose
Martin MAC Encore Performance CLD,
MAC Aura, MAC Aura XB and MAC Quantum
fixtures for their intelligence and because
all moving lights are LEDs.
ANDRÉ RIEU TOUR, THE NETHERLANDS
World-famous violinist and conductor André Rieu is known for his incredibly popular
tours, visiting over 100 venues a year with his Johann Strauss orchestra. The tour has
a huge opportunity to impress both live audiences and millions of viewers watching in
cinemas and on DVD. This means that the lighting needs to be suitable for cameras
recording the show for broadcast, DVD and the cinema, as well as the audience attending
the performance.
It is important for the André Rieu Tour lighting to be as compact, portable and low in
weight as possible to enable quick transitions between shows, supporting the tech crew
as much as possible. The large number of performers in the orchestra need to be lit with
a uniform field and dynamic effects to highlight different aspects of the performance,
creating a great atmosphere for the audience.
To meet these goals, Maurice Verbeek, lighting designer at André Rieu productions,
used lights including MAC Encore Performance CLD and MAC Aura, supplied by
Netherlands-based Fairlight. The set is entirely made up of intelligent lights and all
moving lights are LED.
Martin MAC Encore CLDs are deployed as the orchestra’s key lights, offering a best-in-
class size/weight/performance ratio. They are attached to pre-fabricated parts of the set,
facilitating quick transitions between performances. The cutting-edge LED technology’s
advanced colour mixing is ideal for illuminating the orchestra, and flicker-free refresh
rates ensure that cameras can capture top quality footage.
For the orchestra’s backlight, Verbeek created five chandeliers, each incorporating
16 MAC Auras. The chandeliers are on wheels and thanks to the Aura’s compact, low
weight design, can travel as one piece in the tour truck, helping to ensure fast transitions
between venues.
“ I notice a big difference with
the Encore. I’m convinced it’s
got the perfect flat field and
colour temperature.”
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
“I personally think I have
the perfect products and the
quickest, most silent and
most flexible tour set.
I’m really happy with it.
The technical crew are also
really happy with the set as
it’s all on wheels and the
Encore is really light.”
Super-bright MAC Aura XBs are used as side lights, hanging at both high and low levels
at the side of the stage, providing 6000 lumens output and rapid movement. For the tour’s
outdoor events, such as Rieu’s annual Maastricht summer concerts, MAC Quantum Wash
fixtures provide an impressive balance between colours and whites. Features such as
smooth CMY colour mixing make it possible to illuminate large areas of the orchestra,
stage and surrounding buildings in colour, creating an atmospheric experience for the
live audience and cinema viewers alike.
“The tour is getting better and better every year,” Verbeek says. “I personally think that
we have the perfect tour set. I have the perfect products and the quickest, most silent
and most flexible tour set. I’m really happy with it.” He adds, “the technical crew who
work with the gear, doing the loading and unloading, are also really happy with the set as
it’s all on wheels and the Encore is really light.”
Verbeek’s experience has helped him to realise the importance of orchestra key lights.
“I notice a big difference with the Encore. I’m convinced it’s got the perfect flat field and
colour temperature,” he explains.
The pricing of the MAC Encore has also had an impact on the effects that Verbeek can
create, enhancing the visual experience for the audience. “It’s made it possible for me to
add more spots, so I can include more specific key lights,” he says.
The quality of the lighting fixtures means that all elements of the stage can be lit with
the same intensity and brightness, so the performance can be captured by the cameras,
ensuring a high-quality show for Rieu’s millions of viewers. Verbeek says: “Every year it
looks better for broadcast, for DVD and for the cinema.”
PRODUCTS USED
MARTIN MAC ENCORE PERFORMANCE CLD FIXTURES
MARTIN MAC AURA FIXTURES
MARTIN MAC AURA XB FIXTURES
MARTIN MAC QUANTUM WASH FIXTURES
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