Virtual reconstruction of the historical acoustics of the Odeon of Pompeii

Abstract

A decade ago, the Syracuse Charter was promoted to suggest guidelines for the conservation, fruition, and management of the ancient theatrical architecture built during the Greek and Roman periods. Among other aspects, this charter outlined the role of the acoustics in the restoration of ancient theatres. However, it is often common to modify the acoustics of historical theaters according to the needs of modern performances. This paper focuses on the little theater of Pompeii, in the South of Italy, also known as “theatrum tectum” or “Odeon”. Pompeii, which became a Roman colony after being a Samnite city, underwent significant social and economic changes, including the construction of several performing spaces. The city was destroyed by the Vesuvius eructation in 79 A.D. This paper first describes the genesis of the “theatrum tectum” of Pompeii which had a truss wood roof. The results of acoustic measurements in the current state of the theater are used to create a virtual model of the building. Then, using archeological studies about the original architectural design of this theater, this paper presents a virtual reconstruction of the original acoustics during the Roman period. The aim of the present study is to compare the different acoustical characteristics that the “theatrum tectum” of Pompeii has had in its over 2000 year history and to discuss the most adequate performances in the actual theater.