Acoustical balance between the stage and the pit in the Teatro Colón of Buenos Aires

Abstract

The acoustical balance between the singers and the orchestra in the well-known Teatro Colon of Buenos Aires, as an opera theatre, is evaluated from several perspectives. Among the many particular features that contribute to the ideal balance of Teatro Colon, there are three which seem to stand out: the shape of the horseshoe, the height and depth of the boxes at the upper levels, and the design of the proscenium and pit. In this sense, the reflections on the stage floor become significant for the higher levels. Some of the architectural causes of this acoustical behavior have been found out from the results of opinion polls on the perceived sound by the audience, physical measurements and the outcomes of a digital model. This paper analyzes the balance between the singers, placed in various locations on the stage, and the orchestra in the pit. As it will be seen, the architectural characteristics of the theatre allows the musicians to maintain the balance in almost ideal values and to preserve the spectral equilibrium through the entire hall.