The “Teatro Lirico” in Milan was built in 1779 at the proposal of Archduke Ferdinand, son of Maria Theresa of Austria, who sought to provide the city with two theaters: one for the nobility, the “Teatro alla Scala,” and another for the common people. After a troubled beginning, in 1894, the second theater was officially named “Teatro Lirico Internazionale.” Having fallen into decline about 30 years ago, the theater is now nearing the completion of a significant restoration project aimed at bringing it back to life.
As in the recent renovation of the prestigious Teatro Galli in Rimini, Link, through its client Decima, has played a pivotal role in equipping the Teatro Lirico with cutting-edge and highly functional wiring and infrastructure solutions.
Among the innovations provided by the Italian company, the standout is undoubtedly the “LKS Data System.” This technology features a range of products that integrate proprietary connectors from the LK Connectors brand, aptly named LKS Data.
These connectors, paired with Eurocable cables, offer a Socapex connection that is dimensionally identical to traditional connectors and fully backward compatible. However, they incorporate microcoaxial contacts in place of grounding pins while maintaining grounding continuity for electrical circuits. This enables the transmission of not only six standard power circuits but also a Gigabit signal or up to four signals for digital audio or DMX, thereby eliminating the need for separate cables.
Luca Opizzi of Link highlights the importance of backward compatibility: “For example, if a company decides not to use DMX in the truss, the cables and connectors of the Teatro Lirico can still be used normally, exactly as if they were traditional Socapex connections.”
For the project, Link supplied a range of PLB and SCB boxes, hatches, and customized panels for the rack rooms, all equipped with LKS Data technology for distributing power and data signals throughout the theater. Given the complexity of these systems, they would typically require Link’s specialized technicians to handle the connector wiring. While this approach guarantees high-quality and reliable connections, it can pose challenges for fixed installations where cables and connectors cannot be pre-assembled at the manufacturer’s facilities, necessitating on-site expertise.
To address this, Link developed an innovative system to significantly simplify the wiring process, enabling the client’s technicians to perform installations easily and independently. The system features a simplified connection interface within the LKS Data-equipped boxes. Specifically, all LKS Data connectors were pre-wired with standard electrical terminal blocks and RJ45 sockets. This allowed technicians to simply insert and secure power wires into the terminal block and use basic RJ45 connectors for data connections, which were then linked to pre-assembled PCB interfaces.
Alberto Virdis of Link explains: “With this solution, we made on-site wiring easy and fast. By conducting all tests at our facilities and delivering a pre-assembled package, we enabled Decima to work independently—even with a specialized connector like LKS Data. This approach saved the client a considerable amount of time and money.”
For decades, Link has been a leader in the entertainment industry, renowned not only for its Eurocable and LK Connectors brands but also for its ability to deliver highly innovative and customizable solutions. These solutions help clients optimize installation times, reduce material usage, and ultimately lower costs.
