Le Mondial SAQ 2001
Montréal International Fireworks Competition Report

Official Results

• Gold Jupiter - Pirotécnia Igual, Spain
• Silver Jupiter - Foti's International Fireworks, Australia
• Bronze Jupiter - San Tai Fireworks, Taiwan

Closing La Ronde Heaven and Earth Saturday July 28^th, 2001

Industria Panzera S.A.S. Sky and Earth designed by Pierpaolo Serafino, music by Pierre Walder - Hommage to Giovanni Panzera

'This special pyromusical show will be dedicated to the memory of Giovanni Panzera who died on September 6^th, 2000. Panzera was one of the world's foremost pyrotechnic masters and the spiritual father of the Montréal fireworks festival. Panzera S.A.S., the firm that Giovanni Panzera presided over, conceived the show's design and is in charge of its production.

"Giovanni saw a world without boundaries. Day after day, he doubled his efforts to design highly creative and aesthetically pleasing shows," explained Pierre Walder, who is in charge of the musical score and artistic design of Sky and Earth and a long-time friend of the deceased Panzera. "In contrast to many of the great masters, Giovanni didn't want to keep his trade secrets to himself. He preferred to pass them along to his younger colleagues."

"From the passion he injected into each show to his innovative spirit and sensitivity towards the public, as well as his being accessible to fireworks technicians the world over, nothing was overlooked," stated Pierpaolo Serafino, a Giovanni Panzera disciple and pyrotechnic designer of the closing fireworks show. "Everyone who will watch Sky and Earth will relive Giovanni Panzera's life with us," added Pierpaolo Serafino.

In the 1980s, Giovanni Panzera dreamed of establishing a friendly pyrotechnical competition that would provide firms with the opportunity to refine their art - a competition where only those that wished to reach new heights would be invited. Armed with this vision, Panzera contributed to the creation and management of the world's premier pyrotechnic gathering. He was artistic director of the Montréal International Fireworks Competition for more than fifteen years.

For interest, here is the music list for the closing show. I probably won't write a report but will sit back and enjoy the show without the interruptions and concentration required to take notes.

Part 1 to the music Overture from Fireworks by G. F. Händel.

Part 2 to the music Gloria all'Egitto et Ballabile (Aïda) by Giuseppe Verdi.

Part 3 to the music Fire dance ritual by Manuel de Falla.

Part 4 to the music Brother in Arms by Mark Knopfler.

Part 5 to the music The sorcerer's apprentice by Paul Dukas.

Part 6 to the music Ave Maria by Giulio Caccini.

Part 7 to the music Il me reste un pays by Gilles Vigneault.

Part 8 to the music Ameno by Eric Levi & Guy Protheroe.

Part 9 to the music Finale from The Firebird Suite by Igor Stravinski.

Thanks to the public relations people of La Ronde for the official press release material, shown in white.