LA Opera embraces LED with VLZ Profile
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LA Opera's current production of Verdi's Rigoletto, with lighting design by Robert Wierzel, is the first production in its history lit with a predominantly LED lighting rig.
Jeff Kleeman, LA Opera's technical director, says, "We already hold a stock of Vari-Lite VL3500 Spots and Washes, VL3000s and VL4000 BeamWash fixtures, so we were very interested in the VLZ Profile when they became available recently.
"Initially we were drawn to the impressive 24,000 lumens output - they are bright, even brighter than our VL3500s. We've had zero issues with the exceptional light source, which creates a large and particularly even field. But there is so much more to like about the VLZ. The color spectrum, the shuttering system, the low power consumption, which is critical for the venue, and then there's the very quiet operation: quiet is a big deal for us."
He adds, "Our work schedule means that, although we begin the design process months in advance, it is only a week prior to load-in when we pull and prep fixtures before the get-in. There is usually a pretty tight window to rig, hang and focus the light, so the small, light VLZ fixtures make that process all the smoother. They have absolutely met our expectations."
In 1987, LA Opera was the first opera company to utilize a complete Vari-Lite moving light rig, using the VL2 and VL3 luminaires to light Tristan und Isolde, designed by David Hockney and directed by Jonathan Miller. The company has been a regular user of the Vari-Lite brand ever since.
Martin Palmer, Philips Vari-Lite product manager for Signify, says, "For an artistic organisation of such prestige to commit to the VLZ Profile as part of its stage lighting rig is a great vote of confidence in the quality of our world-leading LED luminaire technology. We are delighted that LA Opera has chosen to continue its long history with the Vari-Lite brand and we look forward to working with them in the future."
(Jim Evans)
