Acoustics of a Sitzprobe rehearsal

A Sitzprobe rehearsal is normally the first-time singers and orchestra play together. It requires the fire curtain to be lowered pushing the vocalist to the very edge of the stage. A series of acoustics tests were undertaken on behalf of The Royal Opera House to establish this change in the environment as far as the musicians were concerned. Measurements were taken at two key positions, 2nd violins and the conductor location whilst a single sound source was positioned centre stage, the control condition, front of stage and around the auditorium. In addition, sound control solutions were tested and proposes to reduce sound exposure are presented.