MC/15/11

Reference code

MC/15/11

Level of description

Item

Title

"Symphony for the Spire" Betacam Videocassette Tape

Date

28 Jul 1992

Quantity & Format

1 film

Description

A recording of the "Symphony for the Spire" event held in the Cathedral Close on 28 July 1992 on a Betacam Videocassette Tape, the cassette measuring 25.3x14.4x2.5cm and stamped "Fuji M321SP Betacam SP". "HRH the Prince of Wales's Symphony for the Spire" was a gala performance devised by HRH Prince Charles and attended by both him and HRH Princess Diana to raise funds for The Salisbury Cathedral Spire Appeal. A stage and grandstand seating were erected in the Close to the west of the West Front, onto which images were beamed; a light show - using a computer system never before used anywhere in the world - also sent coloured laser beams 10 miles into the night sky and required special permission from the Civil Aviation Authority; the 10,500 seats were each provided with a plastic raincoat (courtesy of Richard Branson, but not needed); tickets were priced between £25 and £100; people also watched from Queen Elizabeth Gardens, Harnham, Town Path and other nearby areas. Performers included Kenneth Branagh, Phil Collins, Placido Domingo, Peter Donohoe,Ofra Harnoy, Charlton Heston and Jessye Norman. The performance was followed by a firework display accompanied by Handel's "Music for the Royal Fireworks" of 1749. (See Spire Appeal Scrap-book 6 at MC/13/3/6 for information about this and related events). With a one-page "VTR Recording Report" giving technical details about the recording. Both the cassette and report are labelled "TVi Ltd 142 Wardour Street London W1V 3AU". The report records "Nick Popplewell - Smith Assoc" as Tvi Ltd's client. It was not possible to test or view the Videocassette Tape at the time of cataloguing.
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