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Fabio Kaiser The Theater an der Wien project stands out as one of my favourite installations because of its complex acoustical challenges, Amadeus Acoustics’ innovative solutions, and its profound impact on performance flexibility and audience experience. The project had a visionary beginning that led to its permanent integration within the historic venue. It began with a temporary active acoustics installation for Mozart’s Requiem at Halle E in the Museums Quartier, where Amadeus successfully created ‘cathedral-like acoustics’. This impressed Stefan Herheim, the artistic director of Theater an der Wien, leading to the system being initially planned as a temporary solution during the theatre’s extensive renovations. The Amadeus system proved so effective that it replaced a Do you have a favourite installation that you’ve worked on? Why did it stand out?
previously chosen competitor, securing its place as a permanent fixture. Addressing the unique acoustical demands of this historic venue was formidable due to its architectural complexity; it featured multiple acoustically distinct zones, like the main auditorium, under-balcony areas and various balconies. Tailored solutions were required to provide a uniform listening experience throughout. The variable height and size of the orchestra pit, coupled with its unique, diverse stage configurations, further necessitated an exceptionally flexible and adaptive acoustic system. Amadeus acoustically activated low-ceiling balconies to integrate them with the main auditorium’s sound and ensured optimal vocal projection over the orchestra without artificial
amplification for singers. The system also met the theatre’s artistic vision with a dynamic acoustic environment, allowing seamless transitions between acoustic presets within a single production. Overcoming technical difficulties in fine-tuning such an advanced system in a historic venue required meticulous calibration. The high-density speaker deployment demanded very precise alignment to maintain a seamless and natural acoustic experience. Amadeus achieved a transparent and evenly distributed sound field by leveraging sophisticated decorrelation algorithms and optimising gain structures, effectively eliminating direct source perception and enhancing immersion. The team successfully managed the venue’s architectural idiosyncrasies by deploying high-density speaker
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