The striking modernist Concert Hall building constructed in 2002 and designed by architects K. Koov, K. Nõmm, H. Grossscmidth, offers two flexible halls – a main hall and a chamber hall – and a diverse concert schedule including - in normal times - a prestigious line up of visiting artists. It is also home to the Pärnu Music School and the Pärnu City Orchestra as well as hosting special events, civic celebrations, etc. in this seaside resort in southwestern Estonia.

Ave Martin is the head of lighting. She graduated from the Viljandi Culture Academy in 2003 having studied Theatre Lighting Design and has been working at Pärnu Concert Hall for about 12 years, where she is also the resident lighting designer.

The lighting rig upgrade had been planned for the early part of the year but was delayed until autumn due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They specifically needed versatile, silent running and flexible fixtures that would also save energy, so the T1 series – which is designed especially for theatre – was a perfect choice for Ave and the venue.

Ave lights many of the shows herself. “The main hall needed some new, modern and high-quality lighting fixtures. As we stage so many different shows and events, this latest Robe technology is adaptable and perfect for our performances,” she stated.

Low noise fixtures are generally a ‘must’ for concert halls observes E&T’s Olev Luhaäär, especially during recordings, broadcasts and streamed shows. Colour temperatures and whites are also vitally important for TV / cameras, and fixtures also offering several cool and fun effects were also essential in this case, both for telecasts and children's events, etc.

Ave is already familiar with Robe products as the venue has had LEDWash 600s and 800s for the last five or so years, and because E&T keeps her updated as to the latest technology being released by Robe. “I am delighted with Robe generally,” she says, “the lights meet all my expectations and more.”

She was also happy to choose Robe products because of the excellent service from E&T who she says “work very hard to keep customers happy, are always at the end of the phone and are very supportive.”

The Concert Hall’s main stage has been open in recent months during the pandemic for socially distanced performances, mainly with Estonian artists, which has kept crew and staff people working and assisted greatly with everyone’s morale.