Study of the Effect of the Orchestra Pit on the Acoustics of the Kraków Opera Hall

The orchestra pit acoustics are mostly assessed by
musicians and directors of musical performances using the sense of hearing, i.e.
in a subjective manner. This paper proposes a method for an objective assessment
using such parameters as Support (ST) and Sound Strength (G), which are obtained
by measurements. ST defines the quality of how orchestral musicians hear one
another in the orchestra pit, whereas G determines the impression of loudness at
selected points of the auditorium. To determine the value of these parameters,
acoustic measurements were performed in the orchestra pit and the auditorium of
the Kraków Opera Hall. A numerical model was also developed, which was employed
for multivariant computer simulations using the CATT-acoustic software. The
purpose of the paper is to present a methodology for objective assessment of the
orchestra pit acoustics.