Contracting division of Salzbrenner Stagetec Mediagroup refurbishes the forestage section of the opera house in Kassel

posted:

13/12/2014

During this year’s summer break, the forestage area of the opera house in Kassel (Germany) was refurbished. Salzbrenner Stagetec Mediagroup’s mission was to equip the venue with a new PA system, all connections for audio and HD video signals as well as about 140 junction boxes. The official acceptance took place on 7 November. During this demanding project, which provides the venue with perfect acoustic and optical communication tools, Salzbrenner Stagetec Audio Video Mediensysteme GmbH, the Mediagroup’s contracting arm, installed about 43 kilometres worth of cabling.

The refurbishment in Kassel involved the removal of the opera house’s entire forestage area, including the stage tractions, the overhead machinery and the lighting bridge, which were dismantled by specialised companies and then rebuilt around a steel construction. Given that all cables were located in the former portal section, the project also involved the installation of new cable runs (optical, analogue, digital, Cat, power lines) with a combined length totaling 43 kilometres. “Our mission was to install the biggest stage management and paging and public address system our contracting division has ever developed for a German venue,” explains Gerhard Reichart, the project manager at Salzbrenner Stagetec Audio Video Mediensysteme GmbH.

The expansion of countless connections and the new HD video system furthermore required revising all junction boxes. In addition, the Nexus network for the main PA system was extended and a new main PA system (d&b) was installed, along with audio patchbays (Ghielmetti), distribution units and video patchbays (Canare).

A fresh start for a promising season
Completing such a demanding project during the summer break requires thorough planning and preparation: all steps need to be performed with utmost precision. Thanks to experienced project supervisors at Audio Video Mediensysteme GmbH and its seasoned teams, all assignments were completed to the client’s satisfaction. Kassel’s “Rosenkavalier” premiere on 12 October 2014 was not only a resounding success, but also the ultimate proof that the contracting team had delivered once again. Reichart muses: “Our contracting division had already impressed Kassel’s management with an all-new sound system in 2006. Still, the ultimate proof of recognition is when you are asked to contribute to subsequent assignments. We were delighted to be a part of this year’s project. Thanks to this undertaking, Kassel now boasts a splendid new opera house that is well worth a visit.”

Installed audio and video gear:
    About 140 new junction boxes and mounting plates
    Stage-management console
    Audio patchbays (Ghielmetti)
    Video patchbays (Canare)
    43kilometres worth of cabling
    Updated video equipment (Blackmagic Design)
    Main PA system (d&b)
    New paging and public-address system