The acoustics of the Italian opera house, ‘‘Teatro di San Carlo’’ in Naples, Italy

Abstract

Teatro di San Carlo is reported to be the oldest existing European opera house. This horseshoe-shaped theater was opened on the 4th of November 1737, 41 years before the opening of La Scala in Milan and 51 years before the opening of La Fenice in Venice. Surprisingly, no objective acoustical data were found in the open literature for San Carlo. Therefore, the authors were stimulated in carrying out measurements of modern objective criteria in the above-mentioned opera house. As the theater hosts both symphonic/classical and opera concerts, two sets of measurements were carried out. The first one with the stage fitted for performing symphonic and classical music, and the second one with fitted scenery and the orchestra pit open, for performing opera concerts. Measurements in the unoccupied hall, yielded now classical, objective criteria (RT, EDT, C80, G, LE, and LF) at specific locations both on the main floor and in the boxes. The sound source was located along the longitudinal axis of the stage under the proscenium arch.