|
The
refurbished Royal Festival Hall,
photographed 25th September 2005. Inset: the RFH on 2nd November 2000.
Numerous changes have been made to the construction. The canopy over
the stage, originally wood and highly reflective, was replaced with one
made from a fireproof fabric similar to canvas: its sections can be
tilted, or raised and lowered to suit the type of concert. The wall
panelling is now mostly solid backed and hence reflective: the
auditorium floor is now wood instead of carpeted.
The choir
seating is now higher, giving a higher rear wall to the stage: the
organ console has been moved back (the organ itself is still not fully
reinstalled, and will be behind the rear panelling, which slides aside
to reveal it). Sections of the stage can be raised or lowered to suit
the requirements of the performers.
The overall result is a 20%
increase in reverberation (amount rather than duration, though this is
slightly increased) at mid frequencies, and 40% at low frequencies.
More sound now gets back to the musicians (as does any shuffling or
coughing made by the audience). There is also more leg room in the
seating, which is very welcome.
|
|
