I met with Marco Giuliani, fifth generation patron of the company of his name, Michael Lutz of Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks who is assisting the team with their design, and an interpreter.
For complex reasons, Howard and Sons, who were scheduled to complete this Wednesday 1st August, were unable to ship their products in time to reach Montreal for their display. Giuliani were called in at the last minute, around 20th June, to fill the gap, Marco explaining that he was proud his company had been selected, even though it was a very difficult logistical challenge for them at that particular time of year. To help with the logistics (both in terms of products and design), Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks (who are already designing the closing show) agreed to help. Despite it being their busiest time of year, Michael Lutz worked with Marco, largely through video chats on What’sApp, to help design their display as well as secure the required products. Michael said they were already users of Giuliani products, particularly their studatas, and so he has include these in the display to give an authentic Giuliani feel to it.
For the soundtrack, Marco and Michael worked together to come up with something that represents the company but is outside of the usual patriotic stereotype that’s easy to fall into for an Italian display. Thus there are contemporary Italian artists, including winners of the San Remo Italian song festival from the past three years, as well as a Montreal-born Italian artist who sings in French, Italian and English. Michael and Marco exchanged ideas back and forth and so Michael said he hope the design captured the feel that Marco would have given to the display. Michael used the visualization feature of Finale Fireworks in the design back-and-forth with Marco. Giuliani is more of a manufacturer of products, though they do put on 70-100 displays per year and are involved in various Italian festivals and some international events.
In terms of products, together with the Giuliani products that Rozzi had in stock (unfortunately their renowned 400mm shells are not permitted in Montreal), Michael selected material from Panzera (Italy), ICON (Foti’s brand made in China), Vulcan (China), San Tai (Taiwan)and some Rozzi products as well. The display will use all five ramps, including the floating pontoons forming ramp 5 (with 5 platforms) as well as 11 positions on ramp 3 and 5 on both ramps 2 and 1 and some smaller installations on ramp 4. Even though the pontoons are in use, there will also be nautical products used (from the Spanish manufacturers Igual and Vincente Caballer). The display is being fired with FireOne and is around 6500 cues (a number that seems “ordinary” this year but, in the not too distant past, would elicit amazement). In terms of large calibre shells, there will be ten 250mm and around twenty four 200mm.
Michael said he is looking forward to the Figaro segment as well as Lindsey Stirling and Marco said he’s looking forward to the penultimate song as this demonstrates the love of Italy. Michael also said the finale will be different to what he would normally do and definitely has a Giuliani feel to it. Both expressed their opinion that the audience should attend the display at La Ronde this coming Wednesday so they may “see something not seen before as well as music they’re not used to hearing that represents the melody of Italy”.