A loudspeaker orchestra for opera houses studies

Abstract

A “Loudspeaker Orchestra” is an array of loudspeakers with a well-defined setup and layout. Initially proposed by contemporary composers for innovative performances (e.g., the “Acousmonium” used by the Groupe de Recherches Musicales in the 1970s), in the last years, the Loudspeaker Orchestra has been used for MIMO acoustic measurements in concert halls. In the present work, a Loudspeaker Orchestra for measurements in opera houses is proposed, taking into account the acoustic differences between a concert hall and an opera house. In fact, in a concert hall, the orchestra plays on the stage, while in an opera house, the orchestra plays in the pit, with a different layout, a smaller instrumental ensemble, etc. In a concert hall, the soloists are placed near the conductor, while in an opera house they move all over the stage, due to dramatic reasons. Basing on previous studies on room criteria and experiences with real orchestras, the authors proposed a Loudspeaker Orchestra layout for opera houses. In this work, tests on various configurations are presented, comparing measurements and numerical simulations.