Of course, a hybrid show calls for a
hybrid set-up, so on top of the wireless
components, reference for Raynault and the
orchestra was fed via eight Nexo PS8 loud-
speakers on stands and strewn across the
deck while Reno relied on a complement of
four Nexo PS15-R2 side fills and six 45-N12
wedges downstage.
Overall, Gingras was pleased with how
the evening unfolded. While hockey arenas
typically aren’t ideal acoustic environments
– especially when it comes to symphonic
music – the engineer says the combination
of the PA’s precision and the acoustic quality
of the relatively new venue (the Videotron
Centre opened in late 2015) made his job a
lot easier.
“That was a magical night,” he enthuses.
“All of the time and effort we spent bringing
the show together was instantly forgotten
when Mme. Reno started to sing. It was a
wonderful evening.”
Ginette Reno has amassed count-
less awards, achievements, and
accolades throughout her long and
storied career. In June 1982, she
was made an Officer of the Order
of Canada. In 1999, she received
the Governor General’s Performing
Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic
Achievement. In 2000, she was
given a star on Canada’s Walk of
Fame, and in 2004, she was made
a Knight of the National Order of
Quebec.
Most recently, though, in
November 2017, she, a combina-
tion of dozens of orchestral and
pop musicians, and a crack behind-
the-scenes crew earned a standing
ovation from thousands of adoring
fans who had just enjoyed a once-
in-a-lifetime experience – even
though a full stage and power-
house performance isn’t all that
new to her team.
Andrew King is the Editor-in-Chief of
Professional Sound.
PROFESSIONAL SOUND 37