Felsenreitschule, Salzburg, Austria

Object Type
Opera Houses
Concert Halls

Client
Salzburger Festspiele

Architects
architekturbüro HALLE 1, Salzburg

Completion
2011

Expertises
Room Acoustics
Electronic Room Acoustics
Audiovisual System Design

The Felsenreitschule with its stage rear wall carved out of a rock and its retractable stage roof is an absolutely unique venue among the major opera houses of international renown. From October 2010 to May 2011, the then existing roof was replaced by a solid structure with telescopic beams bearing mobile roof elements that could also remain closed in winter. During the same period, all auditorium wall and ceiling surfaces were redesigned.

The volume which is unusually large for an opera house as well as the hall‘s international renown presented quite a challenge in terms of acoustics. Extensive status evaluation measure-ments, a wealth of experience in acoustics plus state-of-the-art simu-lation techniques made it possible to complete this task successfully. In addition, the acoustics was further improved by means of both the precisely calculated reflections originating from the redesigned and restructured wall and ceiling panelling and the sound-absorbing surfaces installed for the purpose of directing the sound field. Moreover, now there is the possibility of fine-tuning the sound perfectly to the respective audience and orchestra size or type of performance by means of a high-class electro-acoustic room enhancement system.

Image Copyright
1 MBBM-BSO
2 MBBM-BSO
3 MBBM-BSO