The 2025 season of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour (HOSH), Opera Australia’s spectacular annual open-air event, has seen Riedel Communications systems in a critical role for a production of Guys & Dolls.
Riedel has been HOSH’s communications and networking partner since 2021, streamlining connectivity across every facet of its productions. This year’s show featured a fully networked Artist system, with Riedel’s Managed Technology Division providing the backbone of site-wide communications, data transmission and CCTV coverage in the challenging environmental conditions.
With Sydney Harbour as its backdrop public parkland is is transformed into a purpose-built, 3,000-seat pop-up amphitheatre with a raked stage floating on the water, FOH towers, back-of-house infrastructure and hospitality.
‘In all, this year we had around 100 personal comms operating during every performance,’ says Riedel Senior Project Manager, Roo Smith. ‘That includes Bolero wireless beltpacks for most of the stage crew, some dedicated wired, digital PunQtum beltpacks for the six follow-spot crew, as well as the two-way radios used by people like security and house staff.’
Riedel’s design proved resilient agains interference challenges common in RF-dense areas like Sydney Harbour. Bolero dynamically hops frequencies to avoid disruption, and the deployment of a trunked radio system and exclusive RF licencing helped reduce interference.
The entire HOSH site was constructed in just four weeks. Riedel infrastructure supported the network backbone, enabling seamless integration of eighteen 2300 Series and three 1200 Series Riedel SmartPanels and Artist intercom systems, unifying show control, internet access, security systems and cashless payment services across the venue. One of the key advantages of Riedel managing the entire network and associated cabling was the ability to streamline set-up across departments. Instead of separate cabling runs for audio, lighting and comms, Riedel’s unified network design enabled all teams to share fibre infrastructure and connection points, significantly improving efficiency.
To withstand the harsh marine environment, Riedel installed heavily armoured fibre lines connecting the floating stage to shore via a service tunnel. This build protects against razor-sharp oyster shells, barnacles, pooling water, and salt-laden mist – all common challenges on the harbour.
‘We have usually 20 CCTV cameras around the entire site, and they’re especially vulnerable to the conditions,’ says Opera Australia Production Manager, Pablo Puig. ‘By the end of the season, we’d be down to about ten or so. Riedel came up with a more reliable CCTV system which is, of course, also part of the whole site network, If we have a medical emergency in the audience, or any kind of issue that needs locating fast, the CCTV is the best find out what’s going on and guide staff to help.’
The relationship between the Opera Australia and Riedel has grown into a deeply collaborative one, with both teams working to anticipate challenges, respond quickly to emerging needs, and continually refine processes to support the production’s complex requirements.
‘Our partnership with Opera Australia and Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour represents the very best of what Riedel stands for – technical innovation, collaboration, and a relentless commitment to excellence,’ Smith adds. ‘Bringing this extraordinary event to life each year on such a challenging site is no small feat, and we’re proud that our solutions continue to enable the creativity, precision, and magic that audiences have come to expect.’