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Moulin Rouge Dancers High-Kick to Meyer Sound
Long before the 2001 hit film of the same name, the Moulin Rouge in Paris was celebrated as the world’s most famous cabaret. Since it first opened its doors in 1889, this Montmartre district nightclub has symbolized both the glamour and the uninhibited sensuality at the heart of Parisian “joie de vivre”. A simple mention of the club’s name evokes images of a red neon windmill, a mock elephant in the garden, impressionist painters sipping absinthe, and, above all, girls high-kicking the French Cancan.
The cabaret is known for a distinctive sound as well. Who could imagine the French Cancan dancers without hearing the exuberant rhythms of Jacques Offenbach’s Gaité Parisienne? Music at the Moulin Rouge has never sounded better than today, as its primary venue now benefits from the latest advancements in audio technology, including a complement of 30 self-powered Meyer Sound loudspeakers.
The system in the 1,000-square-metre main showroom is arranged in five discrete delay zones to provide seamless coverage for up to 850 patrons seated at the room’s tables. The installation includes eight UPA-1P compact wide coverage and 18 UPM-1P ultra-compact wide coverage loudspeakers, plus four USW-1P compact subwoofers. Two more UPA-1P cabinets provide the all-important monitoring for the dancers on stage.
The Meyer Sound system was designed and installed about five years ago by Best Audio/Dispatch of Paris under the direction of Gerard Trevignon. Operation and routine maintenance of the system are under the direction of Serge Vely, head of sound and sound engineer at the club since 1973.
Vely feels his needs are well met. “The quality of sound from the Meyer gear is top notch,” he proclaims, “and the Moulin Rouge has enjoyed terrific service from Best Audio.”
The system has been at work every night for more than five years, during which time Vely has been as impressed with the reliability of the Meyer Sound products as he has with their sound. “They are so much easier to use, and the sound is better because there are no speaker cables,” he says. “There also are fewer amplifier heat issues.” The latter point is crucial, Vely emphasizes, because reliability is key when shows are scheduled every night of the year.
Original music for the Moulin Rouge is recorded specifically for each show, with the final mix done in the cabaret showroom in front of an audience.
Féerie, the Moulin Rouge's current show, presents a troupe of 100 artists, including 60 Doriss Girls in exotic costumes of feathers, rhinestones and sequins. The long-awaited return of the giant aquarium is featured as well, with the spectacle accompanied by original music recorded by 80 musicians and 60 singers. More than 600,000 visitors are expected to attend this year’s shows.
27th February 2006
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