Design of a new stage shell for the Stadthaus in Winterthur, Switzerland

Abstract

A new stage shell was installed in the Stadthaus, a 700-seat concert hall in Winterthur which was originally designed by architect Gottfried Semper. Musicians of the local symphony orchestra had been complaining about poor on-stage listening conditions in the stage house that was later added to the room. The small stage house (width 12 m, depth 7 m, height 7 m) was overly loud and reverberant. The design of the new stage shell will be presented and the acoustic results, both objective and subjective, will be presented. Comments by the musicians and audience members show that a stage shell must provide more than just efficient projection into the audience area. Absorption placed at the rear of the stage is paramount for obtaining proper orchestral balance, good on-stage hearing condition and clarity of sound.