Songs of the Sea was a multimedia show located at Siloso Beach on Sentosa, Singapore. Designed by ECA2 founder, Yves Pépin, Songs of the Sea started its operations on 26 March 2007, a day after the Sentosa Musical Fountain ceased operations. The fountain is a $30 million investment by Sentosa to enhance its entertainment product offerings and to attract more tourists. It was the world's only permanent show set in the sea – with pyrotechnics displays, water jets that could shoot up to 40 meters, laser show, flame bursts, a live 7-person cast, and an open-air viewing gallery which can accommodate 3,000 visitors. Songs of the Sea had its final show on 4 May 2014, and was closed to make way for a brand new multi-sensory production titled Wings of Time, which was launched on 17 June that year.
History
Sentosa Musical Fountain
Nearly 25 years earlier, the Musical Fountain opened in 1982 and was the biggest star attraction in Sentosa Island of the time, and the biggest fountain of its kind in Asia at that time. It went through three massive renovations throughout its lifespan of 25 years: one in 1972 (the construction of the fountain itself), the second in 1992 (major upgrading project), and the third and final one in 1999 (under a major restoration and upgrading project directed by ECA2). After operating for 25 years, the Musical Fountain became an important milestone in the history of Sentosa, when its last Magical Sentosa show was staged on 25 March 2007. It was then shut down and subsequently demolished to make way for the integrated resort – Resorts World Sentosa, which now occupies the vicinity.
Songs of the Sea As the 25-year-old Musical Fountain ceased operations on 26 March 2007, to make way for the development of Resorts World Sentosa, a new musical fountain was introduced in view of the closure of Magical Sentosa. The new multimedia/musical fountain was built at Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island, near Beach Station. Songs of the Sea is a multimillion-dollar sea spectacular that showcases a lively display of pyrotechnics, lasers, water jets that could shoot up to 40 meters, flame bursts, computer animation, captivating music and performance by a 'live' 7-person cast.
Closure After a seven-year run, Songs of the Sea staged its last show on 4 May 2014. During its seven-year run, it was watched by more than 8.5 million viewers. The final show featured audience interaction with the cast members and a final farewell message on the central water screen, thanking viewers for its successful seven-year run. With the closure of Songs of the Sea, the entire set has upgraded for its replacement show, Wings of Time Sentosa, which was launched on 17 June that year.
Production and development The new multimedia/musical fountain show uses giant water-projection screens. Images are projected on these water screens to create CGI animations, that are shown during the show. The show features Oscar, a colourful Pterois miles. The iconic Merlion statue no longer plays any part during the show any more, since the Sentosa Musical Fountain, which it had played several parts in the shows that were performed there, was demolished to make way for the new integrated resort.
Construction Construction work on the Songs of the Sea show began in January 2006, and completed in February 2007. The show made its debut on 26 March 2007. In the first year of its operation between 26 March 2007 and 31 December 2007, Songs of the Sea was watched by 991,723 guests, which is noted by some to be considerably more than the number of visitors who watched Magical Sentosa in the same period. This proved the show to be a huge success and favourable amongst locals and foreigners alike. A video from ECA2's website also reveals how the construction of the show progressed until the opening date.
Structure and equipments
The beach and the sea are the stage for the show. A stretch of wooden houses was built across the shoreline to create a Malay Kampung, or more commonly known as a kelong. It is actually a work of art that is 120 metres (390 ft) long, while the rest of the equipment (water jets, water screens, lasers and projectors) are being hidden at the back of the kelong. There are a total of 69 water jets capable of reaching a height of 40 m (131 ft) and flames leaping up to a height of 20 m (66 ft). There are three water screens, the central one having a diameter of nearly 40 m (131 ft). tw The show has run twice a night at 7.40 pm and 8.40 pm, and lasted 25 minutes.
Production team Design and Direction: ECA2 directed by Yves Pépin Scenario and Artistic Coordination: Moïra Smith Music and Soundtrack: Philippe Villar and Pascal Lengagne Cartoons and Animation: Dominique Fages and Gilbert Louët Laser Design: Claude Lifante Content Production: Thierry Nutchey Project Manager: Carolina Jara Pinzon Technical Director: Guillaume Duflot Production: Jean-Christophe Canizarès Note: None of the cast's names were revealed, as the cast members were constantly switched over the years. Only the opening day cast members have been revealed, in the credits section of the Songs of the Sea DVD.
Plot
… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.
