I met with Arthur and John Rozzi, representing the United States for the first time for Arthur Rozzi Pyrotechnics Inc. Art is a veteran of the Montreal competition, competing for Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks in 1992, 1993, 1997, 2000 an 2005 and bringing home the Silver Jupiter twice (1992 and 2005). Now with a new company that’s not a manufacturer, Arthur and John have secured the prestigious Longwood Gardens contract.
Colvin Randall, the artistic director at Longwood, designed the soundtrack for the show, which presents the entire ballet Swan Lake. This is an audacious choice of music since it is almost unprecedented that a single piece of classical music (though, of course, Swan Lake is composed of many parts) has been used to form an entire theme. The last time I recall this being done was in 1996 when Sunny International performed the Yellow River Symphony, though Weco won their Platinum Jupiter in 2004 with a special composition in four parts in the classical genre.
Since Arthur Rozzi Pyrotechnics are not manufacturers, they are using products from various companies around the world: San Tai (Taiwan), Vulcan (China), Icon Fireworks (China), Santore (United States), “Old Rozzi from the magazine” (United States), Ricasa (Spain), Vincente Caballer (Spain), Panzera (Italy) and Grupo Luso (Portugal). The largest calibre used will be 10″, which is still classified as 1.3g for transport in the United States.
The firing system is being provided by Jamie Deye’s PyroMaster company who represent the Pyroseeking firing system from China. With 165 32-cue modules, the display is complex but not the most complicated and Arthur told me they are going to present a classic fireworks show, both in terms of music and in terms of design. So there will be no special set pieces, nor structures, but John told me they paid great attention to angles, both in terms of precision and variety. Ramp five will be used and there will, of course, be nautical pieces.
John(l) and Arthur Rozzi(r)
The design of the show began in February after Colvin had completed the music, though some tweaking was required during the pyrotechnic design. Finale Fireworks visualization software was used to design the entire show, taking until April to complete. Arthur said that he is more of an old-school designer and so relied on John’s computer skills to complete the design.
Both Arthur and John encourage people to come to La Ronde to witness their display and to see something different and be both enchanted and entertained. They told me that they are particularly looking forward to the opening of the display, as well as the Spanish Dance scene and, of course, the finale. The music for the finale is powerful and Arthur wanted me to reassure him that Montreal audiences like salutes. I confirmed that fact! Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we won’t see a repeat of the flooding that plagued Rozzi’s show in 1997.
Add your comments here
