The Teatro Nuovo Acoustic Heritage in Turin

Growing attention has recently been devoted to the role of sound environments in the preservation of cultural heritage. Within this framework, the acoustic history of the Teatro Nuovo in Turin is investigated through virtual reconstructions of its principal architectural configurations, and buildings referring to architecture, built for acoustic purposes and used for sound-related activities, are considered places where acoustic heritage exists. For this reason, this paper aims to find out the acoustic heritage of the Teatro Nuovo in Turin, Italy, through a simulated reconstruction of its sound field evolution, before the last theatre’s recent closing. Acoustics of both the first realization in 1936 and the altered one in 1950 are analyzed, considering geometrical and material characteristics over time. Reverberation Time, RT, Clarity, C80, Strength, G, Definition, D50, and lateral fraction, JFL, are considered, comparing the two scenarios, according to the Just Noticeable Difference, JND. The evaluation to use the space as a multipurpose auditorium follows. Conclusions underline that the second configuration was much more suitable both for speech activities and opera, with the Reverberation Time reducing from 1.78 to 1.24 s, and C80 and D50 increasing, but the multipurpose capability of the hall fair remaining. Acoustic suggestions for further restoration processes are indicated.