LONDON — Two Allen & Heath iLive digital mixing systems were used at FOH for a production by Rick Wakeman at Hampton Court Palace for two sold-out nights. There, Wakeman performed his 1973 album, The Six Wives of Henry VIII, to mark the 500th anniversary of Henry’s ascension to the throne.
Months in the planning, the event included a choir and orchestra, church organ, grand piano, the English Rock Ensemble band — including Wakeman’s son, Adam, on keyboards and percussionist Ray Cooper — performing an extended version of the concept album, with narration from Brian Blessed, six wives and showy costumes.
Ian Barfoot, Wakeman’s FOH engineer for nearly 25 years, selected two iLive systems, an iDR10 MixRack and iLive-80 Control Surfaces, to manage the individually-mic’d choir and orchestra, fed to a second, main FOH iLive system comprising an iDR10 MixRack and iLive-112 Control Surface. All connections between the iLives and the loudspeaker management systems were carried out in the digital domain using the iLive digital I/O option cards.
“With a 50-strong orchestra, 30-member choir, and a full band including multiple keyboards, there was a lot to manage. However, iLive coped admirably and we didn’t require any additional outboard equipment, unless you count a CD player for BGM,” said Barfoot.
“Working with musicians of this skill and talent requires very little effort — they only need space to shine — and iLive does that with ease,” Barfoot added. “iLive’s simple user interface, excellent analog-like sound and classic-sounding onboard FX are a major contribution to creating a first-class production.”
The PA system was supplied by Manchester-based Wigwam and included a d&b line array, a Digico mixer on monitors and another in a recording truck to feed an American broadcast company and mix the live CD material.
Along with lighting and projection gear, telemetry from seismic sensors attached to the building were monitored to warn of possible damage to the facade from low frequencies generated by the instruments on stage.
Wakeman is planning a second special concert, a performance of the original Journey to the Center of the Earth, next spring, to be staged in another iconic London venue.
“I hope I get to use iLive for that show also,” Barfoot said. “It is an even more complex piece, which iLive would handle without difficulty.”
For more information, please visit www.ilive-digital.com.
