Storytelling in the time of Social Distancing and Beyond: How to preserve the nature of the operatic voice when returning to public performance
Opera America “Spotlight” Session Proposal –May 2020
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Synopsis:
As audiences return to public gatherings to attend performances, the first step for many opera companies may be to present performances in an outdoor or alternate venue. This presents many challenges while considering guidelines for public gatherings and social distancing, many of which may have a direct impact on acoustics. How can opera companies present the highest-quality artistic product in these non-traditional spaces? How can the nature of the operatic voice and the concept of storytelling be preserved while presenting a product in a way that it wasn’t designed for? And thinking beyond the first stage of re-opening, once the return to our traditional performance spaces occurs, companies will continue to seek out new audiences through alternate venues that do not provide the acoustic support of the voice from the stage. This session will provide thought-provoking discussion, artistic and acoustic considerations, and technology guidance for maintaining the integrity of the product both in the near-term return to public gatherings, and beyond.
Details:
When we gather to convey a message through opera, both the audience and artist crave the full breadth of sound. Modern compositions (and some in the traditional canon) push the boundaries of balance of the operatic voice with the instrumental forces. In the best of circumstances, the architecture of an opera house provides preferential acoustic support of the voice from stage over the orchestra in the pit.
Audiences and artists do not remain in opera houses, however. And with the current pandemic, some companies may be left without their traditional performance spaces for quite some time. And as we return to public gatherings and performances, many organizations will resume their public performances in spaces that are not their traditional indoor theater to maintain social distancing.
And even after we return to public gathering, we collectively seek new audiences through experimental spaces. Those spaces push the boundaries of what the natural voice or amplified sound can do. Outdoor festivals or non-traditional spaces for opera that may draw in new audiences may not provide an acoustic atmosphere supportive of the dynamic range of operatic sound.
When working in spaces where additional lift is desired to regain the balance, the operatic voice does not lend itself to traditional close-mic techniques. The beauty and power of the voice are provided by different parts of the body - each having differing directivity which only develop the desired sound in combination with the acoustic environment into which they are placed.
Artists and opera companies are left with many questions when planning their return to public performances:
How can I preserve the nature of the operatic voice while in a non-traditional venue? How can I care for my artists and present the best quality product while maintaining social distancing for both audience and performers? Should I amplify the sound or not? How do I balance the acoustic needs with my budget? How can I coordinate and integrate with existing systems? Can I maintain the artistic aspects of the production that are uniquely suited to opera as an art form through the necessary technology in this alternate environment?
Through a series of case studies in the built environment, acoustic and audio/video experts will address these key questions to support the ongoing needs of opera companies.