NEW YORK – The New York Philharmonic’s Memorial Day free concert at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan gets its decorative looks every year from Sapsis Rigging. As there are no hanging points in the cathedral, built back in the late 1800s, Sapsis provides more than a dozen chain hoists for the lighting and row of flags. They also set the stage for the orchestra.
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NEW YORK – The New York Philharmonic’s Memorial Day free concert at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan always draws a capacity crowd, making it one of the most anticipated events of the holiday weekend. Its visual flourishes and flags come to life through the rigging expertise and equipment supplied every year by Sapsis Rigging, Inc.
“The original designers of the cathedral, back in the late 1800s, didn’t know that we would hang things in the church, of course, so they didn’t design any hanging points,” said Bill Sapsis, president of Sapsis Rigging.
The job requires precision to keep the loads balanced and within the building’s tolerances, using more than a dozen chain hoists for the lighting and the rows of flags that hang in the nave. Sapsis Rigging provides the 2,500 sq. ft. stage for the Philharmonic as well, positioning it in front of the high altar.
“We’ve done this event for as long as I can remember and we know the loading capacity better than anyone,” said Sapsis. “Hanging equipment in a church, especially a place like St. John’s, requires an eye for the visual, something you don’t always need in a more conventional setting. We do our best to create an atmosphere that complements the cathedral’s aesthetics.”
