Documenting two centuries of Neapolitan song, Italy’s Napoli Prima e Dopo (Naples Before And After) Festival is about to mark its 30th appearance – and its firt use of a Soundcraft Si1+ digital mixing console.
Established by Calogero Valore in 1982, the open-air event features some of Italy’s most renowned singers and attracts up to 1,000 fans to the Grand Hotel La Sonrisa in the Antonio Abate municipality of Naples. As early as the second festival in 1983, a Soundcraft mixing desk was being used. The Series 400B – launched that year as an upgrade to the Series 400 – was used until 1985. Things have moved on considerably since his son, Stefano took over the festival reins in 1993.
After mixing international singers such as Valerio Scanu, Gloriana, Peppino di Capri, Lucio Dalla, Manuela Villa adn Anna Tatangelo for the last time on a Soundcraft analogue MH3 last July, Stefano has turned to a digital Soundcraft Si1+ for the first time
‘First and foremost I like the sound of the Soundcraft desks – but they are also very practical,’ he says. ‘As for the Si1+, in my opinion this is an excellent digital mixer – combining a lot of features and functionality into a very compact chassis. It’s also an easy transition from the analogue desk I came from.’
In fact, Stefano has wide experience of the Soundcraft analogue platforms, since his first Napoli Prima e Dopo 18 years ago. The sound engineer can boast at having subsequently worked on a Soundcraft Spirit Live 4-32, Soundcraft Delta, K2, SM20 and Ghost – in various theatre, concert and television productions, in addition to the song festival. But he remembers the period between 2005-2011 when he took a major step, piloting the flagship 48-channel MH3, which he acquired soon after it came onto the market. ‘The production crew were in awe of it,’ he recalls.
Planning the July festival requires major preparation over six days. This will include four days to build the infrastructure and carry out tests, followed by soundchecking the Augusto Visco Orchestra conducted by Enzo Campagnoli and the performing soloists. The event will be transmitted through a private production company, by RAI 1, Italy’s national broadcaster.
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