In the years 2000 there has been a flourishing of studies and projects concerning the acoustics of western ancient theatres, and especially those in the Mediterranean basin. In particular the EU project ERATO and the Italian project ATLAS focused on these spaces of performance. The interest of the acousticians was devoted to better know how they sound, to auralize them under several configurations and to clarify their acoustical evolution during the course of history. In this context the Engineering Department, University of Ferrara was involved in several activities such as in situ acoustical measurements, anechoic recordings of music samples and was in charge of detailed scale model researches. One of the main outputs of this long engagement was a clear view of the interplay of acoustics and architecture in open theatres from the most simple Greek design theatres to the more sophisticated Roman ones. It was found that typical acoustical conditions can be expected in accordance with a specific theatre layout. These findings will be reviewed in the work with hints to their relevance to the present usage of such spaces especially in view of the installation of a sound system to support the modern performance.
Acoustics and architecture in ancient open air theatres
PRODI, Nicola;FARNETANI, Andrea;POMPOLI, Roberto;FAUSTI, Patrizio
2011
Abstract
In the years 2000 there has been a flourishing of studies and projects concerning the acoustics of western ancient theatres, and especially those in the Mediterranean basin. In particular the EU project ERATO and the Italian project ATLAS focused on these spaces of performance. The interest of the acousticians was devoted to better know how they sound, to auralize them under several configurations and to clarify their acoustical evolution during the course of history. In this context the Engineering Department, University of Ferrara was involved in several activities such as in situ acoustical measurements, anechoic recordings of music samples and was in charge of detailed scale model researches. One of the main outputs of this long engagement was a clear view of the interplay of acoustics and architecture in open theatres from the most simple Greek design theatres to the more sophisticated Roman ones. It was found that typical acoustical conditions can be expected in accordance with a specific theatre layout. These findings will be reviewed in the work with hints to their relevance to the present usage of such spaces especially in view of the installation of a sound system to support the modern performance.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
