A Look At The Biggest Indoor Show Production In Germany

ZDF/Anelia Janeva – Die Helene Fischer Show
Helene Fischer performing alongside Gianna Nannini

Each year, German superstar Helene Fischer hosts her annual Christmas program, the “Helene Fischer Show,” and the latest edition turned out to be Germany’s biggest indoor stadium show production in history under technical aspects.

The event was recorded in one of the halls of Düsseldorf exhibition center, operated by Düsseldorf Congress Sport & Event (DCSE), on two nights in December and aired on Dec. 25. Each night, 10,000 people witnessed a three-hour show that saw guest appearances by James Blunt, Gianna Nannini, The Kelly Family and many German stars.

The show was a co-production of Michow Concerts and Semmel Concerts. Kimmig Entertainment GmbH oversaw the TV production. The entire production comprised 125 tons of equipment hanging from the ceiling, plus another 50 tons in ground support.

PRG Germany was in charge of lighting, rigging and video, and hired event engineer Matthias Rau to oversee the project. Jerry Appelt was in charge of lighting design. Unbranded Experience, headed by Marco Kempen, built the stage, which encompassed more than 1,000 square meters and carried some 450 acts and performers in alternating lineups during the show. Jens Buller of Stage Kinetik installed the stage technology.

Udo Fleischmann of Soundhouse, Jeff Löwe of Löwe Sound and Helene Fischer’s trusted FOH engineer Alex Spengler made sure the sound was tight – making the production an entirely German one.

ZDF/Anelia Janeva – Die Helene Fischer Show
Yes, she can fly as well

According to Pit Preßler, DCSE’s director of operations for live entertainment and sports, 13 camera systems were used for the recording, and 4.6 kilometers of cable had to be wired beforehand. 6.1 million viewers saw the “Helene Fischer Show” on Dec. 25, which meant a primetime ratings win for Germany’s public TV station ZDF.

Michael Brill, Managing Director of the DCSE, was especially pleased that Helene Fischer recorded her annual star-studded Christmas event at the exhibition center for the second time in a row. “And she remains faithful to us beyond that,” he continued, pointing towards her Juli 6 stadium show at ESPRIT arena, which is operated by DCSE. “Welcome back, welcome home,” said Brill.