Tor Ditlevsen deploys zactrack SMART for opera in Norway

The Lillehammer Opera Foundation and the Maria Bjørnson Foundation have joined forces to revive the opera Hulda. Lighting designer Tor Ditlevsen chose zactrack SMART to seamlessly coordinate the live performances of 12 actors with simultaneously projected video content.

The productions features a multi-level stage design with a continuous ramp. Photo © Bård Gundersen

Hulda has often been described as a Norwegian Carmen—a passionate opera by César Franck, based on an 1858 drama by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. Forgotten for over a century, it was last fully staged in 2019 at Theater Freiburg. Now, under the direction of Ivar Tindberg, the work returns home to Lillehammer, Norway—supported by the deployment of zactrack SMART.

Zactrack SMART “turning point” for production

Hulda is defined by its magnificent music and a strong, visually complex plot. To bring this to life, the team in Maihaugsalen paired artistic vision with technical precision. Here, the creative team faced the unique challenge of merging four projection surfaces—three suspended and one on the floor—into one seamless visual experience. To achieve this, a tightly coordinated and intelligent design was essential.

Lighting designer Tor Ditlevsen envisioned a fluid interplay between live performers and projected video content. His concept required multiple followspots to track several actors simultaneously, ensuring perfect synchronization between lighting and media.

After careful evaluation of various tracking solutions, the team chose to deploy zactrack SMART—a decision that proved transformative.

The final scene shows Hulda, betrayed by her brothers, as she welcomes death. Photo © Bård Gundersen

3D tracking with 19 active trackers

The team used 19 trackers across 12 performers, with 7 actors wearing two tags each for increased accuracy. To accommodate the multi-level stage, which featured a continuous ramp rising from 0 to 1 meter, 8 anchors were installed at various heights. Lighting programmer and operator Charles Wadel-Ellingsen notes that adjusting tracking parameters and integrating zactrack SMART into the lighting console was straightforward.

“Despite the complex layout, implementing 3D tracking was very easy. Calibration of the lighting was also simple, thanks to the pucks with integrated light meters,” states Wadel-Ellingsen. “The entire production team was thrilled with the outcome of the system for its reliability, adaptability, and the new creative possibilities it opened up on stage”.

Light Design - @superlys3d / @torsditlevsen

Light and video programer - Superlys / @charlesellingsen

Director - @ivartindberg

Zactrack distributor @litenordic

Photos Bård Gundersen