THEATER AN DER WIEN
A Visionary Beginning: From Festwochen to a Permanent Installation
In April 2022, the Wiener Festwochen presented a groundbreaking production of Mozart’s Requiem, directed by Romeo Castellucci. Staged in Halle E at the MuseumsQuartier—a venue with a natural reverberation time of just 1.5 seconds—this ambitious performance required cathedral-like acoustics to match the grandeur of the music. Enter Amadeus Acoustics.
Commissioned to install a temporary active acoustics system, Amadeus transformed the space, allowing the production team to fine-tune reverberation presets scene by scene. The result? A breathtakingly immersive auditory experience that left audiences in awe.
Among those captivated was Stefan Herheim, the newly appointed artistic director of Theater an der Wien. Following the performance, Herheim, intrigued by the depth of Amadeus’ capabilities, immediately envisioned implementing the system in his theatre. Initially planned as a temporary solution during Theater an der Wien’s extensive renovations, the Amadeus system proved so effective that it replaced a previously chosen competitor, securing its place as a permanent fixture in the theatre’s future.
Addressing a Historic Venue’s Unique Acoustical Demands
Theater an der Wien’s architectural complexity presented a formidable challenge. The venue comprises multiple acoustically distinct zones—including the main auditorium, under-balcony areas, several balconies, and the stalls—each requiring tailored solutions to ensure a uniform listening experience. Additionally, the orchestra pit’s variable height and size, combined with the theatre’s diverse stage configurations, demanded a flexible, adaptive acoustic system.
Amadeus Acoustics’ approach involved enhancing unamplified performances across all seating zones while integrating an immersive audio experience that adapted seamlessly to stage and pit variations. The low-ceiling balconies, which traditionally suffered from suboptimal sound diffusion, were acoustically activated to better match the main auditorium. Furthermore, Amadeus’ active acoustics ensured that vocal projection over the orchestra remained optimal, even in productions featuring large instrumental ensembles.
Beyond these technical enhancements, the theatre’s artistic vision called for a dynamic acoustic environment—one that could change within a single production. Amadeus delivered, allowing seamless transitions between acoustic presets to heighten dramatic effects and enrich the overall experience for performers and audiences alike.
Advanced Technology Powering the Transformation
The installation leveraged cutting-edge technology to bring this vision to life. Key components included:
Voice Lift, Active Acoustics, and Immersive Audio
Amadeus Core + Channel Extender, enabling 220 outputs
Integrated Web GUI for Stagetec Mixing Console
OSC Control for Presets and Immersive Audio
Plugin Control for Immersive Audio
Virtual Speakers for Dolby Atmos Playback
Seamless Integration with Theater an der Wien’s New Audio Infrastructure
The recent renovations at Theater an der Wien introduced a state-of-the-art audio system designed for both immersive and versatile sound reproduction. The installation features a comprehensive array of CODA Audio loudspeakers—including proscenium systems, frontfills, sidefills, stage monitors, subwoofers, and surround speakers, including ceiling-mounted units.
Powering this sophisticated system are Innosonix 32-channel amplifiers and CODA Audio amplifiers, with nearly 64 strategically placed microphones capturing and enhancing the acoustic environment. These microphones support stage presence enhancement, balance the stage sound with the orchestra, and optimize the projection of the pit towards both performers and audiences.
The Amadeus system integrates seamlessly with this setup, connecting via Dante through the Stagetec Nexus system to the amplifiers and immersive processing engine. Notably, Amadeus’ user interface is embedded directly within the mixing console, offering intuitive control for sound engineers.
Overcoming Challenges for Acoustic Perfection
Fine-tuning such an advanced system in a historic venue required meticulous calibration. The high-density speaker deployment demanded precise alignment to maintain a seamless and natural acoustic experience. By leveraging sophisticated decorrelation algorithms and optimizing gain structures, Amadeus achieved a transparent and evenly distributed sound field—eliminating direct source perception and enhancing immersion.
The venue’s architectural idiosyncrasies, including varying reflective and absorptive surfaces, required further refinements. Additionally, low-ceiling balcony sections posed a challenge, but by deploying a high-density speaker layout tailored to each zone, Amadeus successfully ensured uniform sound distribution without unwanted reflections or energy loss.
Elevating Performances with Unparalleled Flexibility
The impact of Amadeus Acoustics on Theater an der Wien’s productions has been profound. With a repertoire spanning from historical operas to concert performances and experimental productions, the system provides tailored acoustics for each event. Whether the orchestra is positioned in the pit or on stage, the active acoustics system compensates for the resulting variations, guaranteeing an optimal listening experience every time.
Additionally, Amadeus’ ability to dynamically adjust stage acoustics ensures that singers remain naturally audible without the need for artificial amplification. This preserves the authenticity of performances while enhancing vocal clarity across the entire auditorium.
Why Amadeus is the Ideal Solution for Spaces Like Theater an der Wien
Unlike proprietary systems that lock users into specific hardware, Amadeus Acoustics adopts a brand-agnostic approach—allowing venues to select the best-performing equipment tailored to their architectural and acoustic requirements. Whether optimizing directivity, speaker placement, or system integration, Amadeus ensures a bespoke solution rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
At the heart of the system lies its unique geometric modeling of reflections and sound propagation. This method ensures that active acoustics blend naturally with the venue’s existing characteristics, delivering an organic and immersive experience where audiences remain unaware that an enhancement system is in use.
Furthermore, Amadeus enables productions to explore powerful dramaturgical effects, from expansive cathedral-like reverberation to intimate chamber acoustics. These immersive transformations extend beyond subtle enhancements, unlocking creative possibilities that redefine how sound is experienced in live performance.
Finally, with integrated 3D audio technology, Amadeus provides sound engineers with an intuitive toolkit for crafting immersive soundscapes. Unlike traditional stereo or surround setups, which rely on fixed speaker placements, Amadeus enables real-time spatial positioning of sound sources—offering unparalleled creative control. From placing a soloist precisely within the soundstage to enveloping the audience with a full choir, the system allows productions to achieve sonic storytelling with unprecedented clarity and depth.
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