Sound at the Bregenz Opera Page 2

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We were privileged to be able to talk to Wolfgang Fritz, Sound Designer for the opera and his team about how he approached such a complex project.

Here's Herr Fritz, with his deputy, Peter Geiger

And here's the Sound Crew:

Herr Fritz is Head of Sound at the Vienna State Opera and also designed the sound for the open air 'Turandot' within the Imperial Palace in Beijing so he comes with good credentials. His technical accomplishments are matched by his artistic skill in utilising sound reinforcement to communicate the drama of the opera. The key to the soundscape on such a vast stage is 'directional hearing'; i.e. the sound appears to come from the direction of the performer.

Before I delve into details let me explain two prerequisites. Firstly, all the music is performed live: the orchestra sits within a semi-submerged pit beneath the stage (in this instance they were totally masked from the audience);

LCR view of orchestra from Choir Room

Panoramic View from Entance:

The principals sing and act on stage

whilst the chorus are split into a singing chorus in the pit

Note Chorus Mics Above:

and an acting chorus on stage.

Secondly, without the natural acoustic of a theatre space, all singers need to be amplified. It is also worth remembering that we are in the open air here and, much as we dream of 'sky-hooks', everything must be built off the ground and be weatherproof (from wind as much as from rain)!

 

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