Progress of Spatial Acoustics in the Northern Italian Theatres and Stage Architecture during the Baroque Era

Recent research has shed light on the sophisticated acoustics of Baroque-era theatres in Northern Italy, challenging the long-held assumption that sound optimization was not a priority in Renaissance architectural design. The study, led by the Audiokommunikation team at Technical University Berlin, analyzed the Teatro Scientifico in Mantua and the Teatro degli Antichi in Sabbioneta using advanced measurement techniques and historical data. Findings indicate that these structures achieved high levels of acoustic performance, comparable to modern concert halls, through innovative architectural designs. The research also highlights the overlooked contributions of prominent architects like Scamozzi and the Bibiena dynasty to theatre acoustics, providing insights into their design principles and their influence on later musical eras, including those of Haydn and the Romantic period.

Sanvito, P. (2021). Progress of Spatial Acoustics in the Northern Italian Theatres and Stage Architecture during the Baroque Era. Actual Problems of Theory and History of Art, 11, 681–698. https://doi.org/10.18688/aa2111-06-55