Acoustic simulations for the modern use of ancient theatres

The modern use of ancient theatres for spectacles and performances is often compromised by a damaged situation of the theatre itself. This damage is caused by natural erosion, constant visits of tourists at the archaeological site and by inappropriate usage of the structure (as modern theatre). In this article, we report on an analysis of how the acoustical situation of an ancient theatre changes with the introduction of a scenery. A parametric case study was performed by means of room acoustic prediction software Odeon version 10.1® for the Greek theatre of Syracuse. The used spatial acoustic model is based on the scenery realised by OMA in 2012 for the 48th Edition of Classical Plays at Syracuse’s Theatre. Eight simulated alternatives, based on different properties of sound sources, its position on the stage and the material of the cavea (where the audience sits), were investigated. Special focus was given to the comparison of different alternatives (in the original situation without damages due to erosion) of the acoustical parameters SPL (G value), EDT, T30, C80, C50 and STI. In order to verify the acoustic situation of the theatre today during a play, different architectural alternatives were simulated, with or without the scenery, while taking into account the presence of background noise, as well as the directivity of a talker and the frequency spectrum of the human voice.