The New York Times celebrates the Montreal Firework Competition
The 70th pyrotechnic firm to compete in Montreal didn't make a quiet entrance. Pirotecnica Morsani blew away the audience, with a much anticipated authentic Italian finale, rocking everything in the area! Starting with music from various movies, this new Italian entrant ended their extravaganza with music by Rossini. Enjoy the dramatic finale here.

Titled "Curtain of Light", the display featured numerous large spherical (up to 300mm) and cylindrical (up to 60cm) shells. Pirotecnica Morsani manufactured 100% of the products and launched with a Firemaster system (986 cues). Unlike most contestants, the Italian team didn't use nautical effects, and smaller, low-level sequences were rare. Moreover, floating platforms in the centre of the lake and closer to the audience were not widely spread. "We decided to create a show dedicated to the sky, not to the water", explained designer Telesforo Morsani. "Our goal was to make a curtain of light over Montreal, so we used a lot of candles. Our company specializes in aerial shells." The lack of nautical and low-level effects may be a costly choice owing to the new technical conception criteria.

The Italian team was satisfied of their week in Montreal. "It was a lot of hard work, but we were here for that", summarized Maruska Menichelli, a Morsani's pyrotechnician. However, many people were afraid of the weather because there was severe rain storm 3 hours before the show, following several showers through the day. "Our heart was beating wildly" added Menichelli. Fortunately, the rain stopped around 7:30pm and the sky was cleared at 10:00pm.

Founded in 1880, Pirotecnica Morsani displays firework shows in several countries in Europe. This second new entrant of the 2008 competition is also the 70th company involved in the Montreal competition since its beginning in 1985. All these firms have represented 23 countries. Morsani's show was the 211th display (the 185th on-competition one).

L'International des feux Loto-Québec was celebrated on June 26 with an in-depth report in the prestigious New York Times.  The journalist Henry Fountain attended the French display on June 21th. His article provides several points of view on the event. "In a city known for its festivals, the fireworks are exclamation marks that punctuate many Saturday nights, and a few Wednesday nights as well" wrote Fountain.

  Mr. Francesco Paolo Venier, Italian Consul in Montreal, welcomed the Pirotecnica Morsani crew on the stage following a short speech to the audience.

 

 

 

 

The seven members of the Italian team and the Consul proudly stood to the Italy national anthem.

 

 

 

 

The Italian display opened with orange and purple stars shot from candles, on the music of Disney's Fantasmic.

 

 

 

 

A set of five mines shooting gold comets with other comets above.

 

 

 

 

Pirotecnica Morsani displayed several large shells, like this one made of colour-changing stars and a bright pistil in the centre.

 

 

 

 

Following their performance, Pirotecnica Morsani team enjoyed a great moment with La Ronde's pyotechnic crew inside the Salon des artificiers.

 

 

 

 

For a comprehensive report, more photos, a full video and discussions, please visit Paul Marriott's website, montreal-fireworks.com.

The soundtrack of each firework display will be broadcast live on local radio station 105,7 FM. To listen the music on the web, click here and select "Radio en direct" on firework nights at 10:00pm Eastern Time.

Story, photos and video: Frédérick Bastien