The Glyndebourne Opera House in East Sussex is one of the world's most prestigious venues for opera. Although founded over 700 years before, it was only in 1934 that it became the location of the annual Glyndebourne Festival Opera under the auspices of John Christie. From 1992 until 1994 the house underwent major renovations which, once completed allowed the site to seat 1200 people.

Today it is still a family run business with performances boasting 96% occupancy over the season. This summer they purchased some MAC TW1s as their main moving wash lights and the lighting manager Keith Benson explains why.

"Having introduced moving profiles to our rig a couple of years ago we felt it was time to invest in some wash lights, so we arranged a shoot-out at Glyndebourne between all the major manufacturers. The requirement was for a great colour pallet with a good clean and uniform transition between colours, along with light output and most importantly the ‘silence'!

"The MAC TW1 came out on top."

But as Keith explains there was more than just performance to consider. 

"The reliability is important along with a good name in the marketplace. We have used them at the Glyndebourne festival 24/7 from mid April to late October and haven't used the spares yet! No bulbs have blown. That's something when the Summer Opera Festival has seven performances a week.

"The LDs who have used the lights are very pleased, and ask; ‘when are you going to get some more?' which we hope will be by spring 2008 in time for the summer festival.

"I had always looked at Martin as more a rock & roll company and therefore didn't think of them in terms of equipment for Opera!. But that's all changed and the company has now opened up to me. It's good that Martin are interested in someone like me and that they value my feedback."

Supplying the lights was Stage Electrics who have worked with Glyndebourne Opera House since 1994.

"We have a good relationship with the people at Stage Electrics such as Adrian Searle who listen to us and have great after-sales service."

The Glyndebourne Festival runs from May until August followed by a six week tour during late October and November ending in Sadlers Wells early December. For those lucky enough to get hold of a ticket, the performances are truly spectacular.