Nearly 70 Claypaky fixtures played a key role in the lighting design of Il furioso nell’isola di S. Domingo by Gaetano Donizetti. The 1833 opera was staged at the Teatro Donizetti in Bergamo under the stage direction of Manuel Renga and the musical direction of Alessandro Palumbo.
The production was presented in three performances plus an Under30 preview, as part of Donizetti Opera 2025, the international festival dedicated to the renowned composer from Bergamo, held from November 14 to 30 under the artistic and musical direction of Maestro Riccardo Frizza.
Lighting Designer Emanuele Agliati selected a combination of advanced Claypaky lighting solutions, including 16 Volero Cube, 15 Volero Twins, 4 Rhapsodya, 14 Sinfonya, 4 B-Eye K20, 4 ADB Actoris Profile and 10 ADB Klemantis fixtures. This setup was designed to support an opera rich in color, visual detail and dramatic atmosphere.
Fixture selection: Claypaky Volero
We chose the Claypaky Volero Twins to achieve a uniform backlight from a single position, without the need for multiple independent light sources. The use of haze allowed this backlight to be perfectly even. One of the main advantages of the Volero Twins is pixel control, which gave us the ability to precisely adjust color and intensity on a very white stage. In this way, the backlight was used to illuminate the white floor like a canvas, distributing color and brightness dynamically. The result was never a flat or static color, but lighting that varied and evolved according to the action and the transitions between scenes, explains Agliati.
Equipped with RGBW LEDs, the Volero Twins deliver a dense and powerful beam with precise control and sharp definition. Designed for modular use, they can operate as standalone units or as part of modular configurations. Suitable for both short- and long-throw applications as well as immersive lighting, they helped create a solid, compact light with clean effects, enhancing clarity and visual precision.
The almost rectangular beam of the Volero Twins filled the stage space more effectively than a traditional LED bar. "Because the fixtures were placed very close together, the light was perceived as a single source", notes Agliati, "similar to a large LED bar with multiple chips. In some scenes, we achieved very interesting effects thanks to the light reflecting off the floor".
For side lighting of the performers, Agliati chose the Claypaky Volero Cube. Thanks to their compact size, they proved ideal for theatrical use. "Their small footprint was essential, and they were used as traditional wash fixtures", says Agliati. "The square beam instead of a round one was both a challenge and a new opportunity, as it allowed better space coverage and cleaner stage wings. The wide source also ensured that, even when the fixtures were positioned close to the singers, the light remained even across the entire body, as if the fixtures were positioned several meters away".
Technology serving the narrative
Agliati’s approach focused on maximizing the available technology to cover the stage without changing lighting positions—an essential requirement in a festival that presents three different opera titles over three consecutive weekends, in addition to other events. Two productions alternate on the Teatro Donizetti stage, while a third is presented at the Teatro Sociale in Bergamo Alta.
Regarding the Claypaky Sinfonya and Rhapsodya fixtures, already part of the Teatro Donizetti inventory, Agliati explains:
Il Furioso is a very colorful production, and lighting plays a fundamental narrative role. We chose multispectral LED sources, which allowed us to reproduce any color shade without sacrificing brightness. The high-precision profiling of these fixtures was essential for creating well-defined ‘windows’ of light on stage.
Perfect balance
ADB Klemantis fixtures were used to light the cyclorama, creating gradients from cool white to warm white. ADB Actoris Profile fixtures, positioned in the front-of-house area, provided powerful and precise illumination, ideal for high-quality static lighting. Claypaky B-Eye K20 fixtures were used for backlighting and as a general soft wash over the stage.
Il furioso nell’isola di S. Domingo received an excellent response from both international critics and enthusiastic audiences across all performances. Agliati was supported at the lighting console by operators Mirko Bergami and Roberto Gelmetti, ensuring flawless management of the lighting system.
With this production, Teatro Donizetti confirmed its commitment to technological innovation, presenting a visually striking show for Donizetti Opera 2025. Claypaky solutions enhanced the beauty of Donizetti’s work with a modern, attractive and expressive lighting design.
