Schwäbische Post September 30, 1988

Laser technology from LOBO electronic for the new production in Bayreuth
Aalen/Bayreuth (ze-). The Rhinemaidens in “Rhinegold” frolic in green laser floods, the fire magic in “Valkyrie” encircles Brunhilde with a forest of red and white laser beams, flashes of laser hit the ground next to Siegfried. Richard Wagner’s Ring turns into a brightly colored circle of the 1980s. While some visitors were happy, critics at least surprised and conservative Wagner enthusiasts shocked by what transpired at this year’s Bayreuth Festival, it was all a matter of technology for Lothar Bopp. With his company LOBO electronic, the engineer from Aalen had supplied the laser systems for the new productions in Bayreuth.
For their awe-inspiring production of the “Ring” for the Bayreuth Festival 1988, East German director Harry Kupfer and set designer Hans Schavernoch wanted nothing less but to create new rooms of light; elements such as water and fire were to be lit up in laser light. Through industry magazines, they came into contact with the company LOBO electronic, based in Unterkochen and known to be one of the globally leading manufacturers of computer-controlled laser systems.
About Bayreuth, company director Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Lothar Bopp had the following to say: “From a technical viewpoint, high-performance laser systems were required for the requests of Kupfer and Scharvernoch, able to cover large distances while still being precisely adjustable.” The computer LACON-2 for the control of laser systems, developed in Aalen, is suited ideally for this, with Bayreuth ordering three units. In October last year, LOBO electronic installed the hardware, including all devices, at the festival location in Upper Franconia.
In collaboration with the director and technical director, Lothar Bopp and his laser designer Regine Haschka set about designing the light effects for the individual scenes. During six months of work, the pair precisely transformed cones of light and storms of fire into computer programs. In addition, deflection mirrors for the laser beams were installed in the theater; just for the realization of the fire magic alone, 100 of these mirrors in a height of 35 meters were required.
Everything was ready in time for the premiere. In Aalen, the controls had been simplified so much that the lighting masters in Bayreuth only had to press some buttons. The controversial reception of Harry Kupfer’s daring new production made laser art from Aalen famous as part of the new ground it had broken. With this, LOBO electronic managed to leave discotheques behind and enter theaters and operas. After all, one will be able to marvel at the lasers from Aalen in Bayreuth until 1993. Until then, Kupfer’s Ring production will be performed there and until then, a fire made of red laser will bring about the fall of Valhalla.