Update Opera Comique
27 December 2007
The Opera Comique in Paris has updated its technical facilities and improved its acoustics. The renovation project included a new orchestra pit as well as a new orchestra shell.
The orchestra pit increased in size by 15 m2 to about 70 m2, greatly improving the comfort of the musicians, and allowing for a larger repertoire. The new elevator system for the pit includes a specially designed instrument lift to improve change-over conditions. The pit’s acoustics were made variable using a combination of mobile and rotating wall panels.
The pit arrangements include a full-depth pit for opera, audience level for additional seats and stage level to create a forestage. An intermediate setting creates a smaller pit, slightly below the audience level, which puts musicians and soloists closer together.
The new orchestra shell provides a better coupling of the stage and house, and greatly improves the communication on stage. It consists of an upstage wall with four side-wall elements on each side, and four ceiling modules with integrated orchestra lighting.
The orginal house lighting bridge was replaced by three battens on variable speed winches. The lifting mechanisms of the central chandelier was also motorized.
