Italian fireworks - General set-up of a display

Vavoom

Registered User
The text below is a translation of information found in several Italian books. An idea I have had for a long time in order to make it easier for others to learn and appreciate the wonderful Italian techniques and craftsmanship. The information is far from complete and deals with general subjects as terminology, types of shells and the general set-up of a typical Italian (nighttime) display. The names and terminology presented are in common use throughout Italy, but depending on the region of Italy other names and terminology may be used.

General setup of a typical Italian (nighttime) display:

A typical Italian display has to be loud and powerfull (Forza Italia!). That’s why Italian shells have a loud break which projects the stars over a wide area. The break is almost too powerfull for the stars to ignite. Some shells are filled with (tiny) inserts that either contain stars or a flash composition. The individual salutes and inserts that are being used are extremely loud (especially when being compared to their Chinese brothers of equal size). An Italian display is sort of like a heavy locomotive that is accelerating to it’s maximum speed and sound.

Italian%20fireworks%20-%20several%20shells.gif

Figure 5: Several completed shells

Below is a general chronological order in which shells are mostly fired in a classical italian (nighttime) display:

Bomba da Tiro: multi-break shell (individually fired during the start (“apertura”) of the display)
Bomba a spacco e lampi (or Bombetelle): shell with coloured bouquet and small salutes
Effect (e.g. crossette): shell with bouquet
Bomba a spacco e botta: shell with coloured bouquet and loud salute
Effect (e.g. blinker): shell with bouquet
Bomba con stelle a botta: shell with coloured stars to salute
Bomba a spacco (con controcolpo): shell with bouquet (and bottomshot)
Effect (e.g. crackling, pioggia bianca): shell with bouquet
Bomba a farfalle (con controcolpo): shell with farfalle bouquet (and bottomshot)
Effect (e.g. kamuro): shell with bouquet
Bomba scala a otto (con contrabomba): shell with rapidly, but very precisely timed, “botti”
Fermata: two-break shell (intrecci to controbomba)
Gaponiesta: big calibre spherical shells with symetrical bouquet (this part of the display is called “giapponesata”)
Stutata: shell of shells, often fired in rapid succession one after the other. Not before all shells have broken will the first shell show its effect. Based on the amount of “stutate” this rapid firing is called “tre per tre”, “quattro per quattro” or “cinque per cinque”. Higher, like “nove per nove”, is possible, but very rarely seen.
Fermata: three- or four-break shell (intrecci to contrabombe)
Finale (generally five parts): Principio, Variazioni, Inferno, Stretta and Chiusura
1 – Principio (Beginning): launching of “sbracatelle”: single break shells with lots of “colpetti” (and some coloured stars) to give a continuous cadence.
2 – Variazioni (Variation): launching of various shells like scala 5, 8, 16, 21, riprese to controcolpo, intrecci to controcolpo or controbomba, stutata.
3 – Inferno (Mayhem): the launching of shells with “colpetti” becomes faster and faster to a maximum.
4 – Stretta (Stretta): launching of big calibre shells with three to four breaks from various positions ever going faster.
5 – Chiusura (Closing): launching of one volley of salutes.

The finale has to be a steadily growing roar of thunders (going crescendo). It should never loose its tempo and impact. This is mainly achieved by good timing with “spolette” and time fuses. Timing strongly affects daylight displays, because the rhythm of the sound (and smoke) is the only effect. In nighttime displays there is some margin due to colour effects. However, also in nighttime displays timing is very important.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Literature:
Fuochi Pirotecnici – L’arte e i segreti, Francesco Nicassio, Levante Editori, Bari, 1999
Pirotecnia Moderna, F. di Maio, Hoepli, Milano, 1891
Fuochi Artificiali, T. de Francesco, G. Lavagnolo, Torino, 1960
 
Laatst bewerkt:

Moontan

Moderator
Medewerker
Very interesting info Vavoom. Thanks for that.
I am a little bit lazy, but is there also one translation in Dutch?
Or is there already a Dutch tread for this?
 

Vavoom

Registered User
Very interesting info Vavoom. Thanks for that.
I am a little bit lazy, but is there also one translation in Dutch?
Or is there already a Dutch tread for this?

Just earlier this week I was thinking (again) about a translation to Dutch.
I have spoken with Tony about it several times, because he would appreciate a translation to Dutch as well. Till now the text isn't available in Dutch, but it will be in the (near) future.
 

Son-T

Registered User
I'have translate (dutch) this peace of information in an attachment.
It isn't 100% ,but it wil explaine a lot of terms and further info.
 

Bijlagen

  • Italiaans vuurwerk - Algemene opstelling van een vertoning.txt
    4,4 KB · Weergaven: 25

GMP82

Zilveren Member
Thanks for sharing this information.
I'm wondering... how "stong" is this format? Is it unthinkable an Italian shooter will change anything of the above in his show (like a Spanian shooter will never change the mascleta-format)?
 

italian job

Registered User
Hi!
I joined this site today!
I am presenting is Valerio, are Italian and I live in Rome.
I put here a photo with Fermate and Stute.


my.php
[/URL] [/IMG]
 

Kobajo

FPM Filmer
Welcome, Italian job!!

If you have some more photos, movies or information, please share them with us.
 
Bovenaan