Opus, which designs and builds the unique Opus Integrated System has previously supplied and installed sound systems for the V&A Museum in London, a theme park in Beijing and Plymouth Pavilions, but this was the first time the company had ventured on to Russian soil. And, so impressed were the hotel bosses that they have placed an order for a brand new monitor system as well. Managing Director Andy Fox explained the difficulties of installing such a large system in a foreign environment. "Obviously the main barriers we had to overcome were those of language and culture. At the start there was a problem with the type of power supply available to us in Moscow, but we eventually managed to reach a compromise with the Russians on that point."
The impressive 28-storey Hotel Cosmos was originally built to cater for the Olympic Games in 1980. With a 1,000-seater concert hall on site it has played host to all manner of events including rock concerts and ballet.
Having successfully completed one installation in Moscow, Andy Fox is hoping that this will be the start of an ongoing relationship with Russia. "The Hotel Cosmos contract came about after this big guy in a grey suit - Dimitri Modin - approached us at the PLASA Show in September 2000. He was so impressed with our system that he decided he wanted to represent us in Russia. He subsequently bought a demo system and has been selling our products to potential customers over there. The good news for us is that the Hotel Cosmos has now placed an additional $20,000 order for a stage monitor system to complement their Opus front of house system. So we’re already planning our next trip to the Russian capital."
Designed as an alternative to traditional sound systems the Opus Integrated System offers a pure sound quality, unlike any other system, which is reliable and free from distortion. Among those who have endorsed the system is Simon Raine from the internationally renowned Gatecrasher club night based in Sheffield.
(Ruth Rossington)
