UK - Glyndebourne Opera House in Sussex is renowned for its commitment to excellence and innovation. With a rich legacy of presenting world-class opera, the venue upholds a tradition of acoustic purity that defines the opera experience. Therefore, Glyndebourne’s decision to undertake an upgrade of the sound system in its auditorium marked a milestone moment for opera enthusiasts. EM Acoustics’ flagship Reference Series is at the heart of the story.
The thought of introducing amplification is often seen as a threat to the authenticity of opera. While opera is fundamentally an acoustic art form, modern productions and programming schedules demand creative flexibility. The new system enables sound effects, pre-recorded elements or subtle reinforcement to be brought into the acoustic space seamlessly. The upgrade of the PA system at Glyndebourne reflects the need to expand artistic possibilities whilst preserving the integrity of traditional opera.
“When we first initiated this project, we needed to strike the right balance, and getting all the stakeholders on board with the idea took some time,” explains Jonathan Moss, head of sound and video at Glyndebourne. “It was important to respect and honour the traditions, whilst also ensuring we chose a sound system capable of providing us with a sophisticated toolbox to meet the demands of modern productions now and in the future.”
Moss has worked with EM Acoustics products for over a decade across various venues, and for him, the Reference Series stood out for the clarity and transparency of its sound. “There’s nothing else on the market that could compete with the Reference Series. It is truly the only PA that had a chance of winning over all of our stakeholders.”
The choice of EM Acoustics was also influenced by the company’s collaborative approach. “They’re incredibly supportive, hands-on and open to feedback,” says Moss. “With EM Acoustics, we have direct access to the people designing the loudspeakers, ensuring the system meets our sometimes quite particular needs.”
Once the decision was made to go for a full EM Acoustics solution, Moss worked closely with the EM Acoustics team to choose the right models. Discussions around headroom once again proved to be about striking a balance. “We knew we didn’t need the biggest boxes, but after much deliberation, we went with the R12s because the frequency response is optimal, and therefore, we need less from the subs,” says Moss.
“We’ve got so much headroom, we will rarely use the boxes that hard, so the output is effortless, which helps it to sound so natural.” The look of the Reference Series loudspeakers also fit with Glyndebourne’s requirement for subtlety, blending easily into the auditorium thanks to their slim form-factor and matte finish.
The sound system at Glyndebourne has been designed to complement and take advantage of the venue’s acoustics. The proscenium PA includes six R12s and two R8s, with two permanent R12s positioned upstage for sound effects. Two R10s and two S-215s are mounted on the balcony for immersive sound effects, using the room's acoustics to maximise resonance.
Four R8s are hung on a round from the ceiling, whilst four S-218 subwoofers are installed underneath the auditorium. A total of nine DQ20 amplifiers and a range of deployable speakers complete the system. The entire foldback system is also EM Acoustics, enabling the orchestra to be played back on-stage for performers.
“What we’ve built at Glyndebourne is perhaps not how you would expect an auditorium system to be set up,” continues Moss. “It is a difficult room for a PA, so we needed to be creative, but also keep the loudspeakers as invisible as possible. We’ve used the technology and shape of the room to design a system that uses the acoustic principles of an opera house and gives it a modern spin.”
The changes have been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback from creative teams. “When someone doesn’t notice it’s amplified, it means we’ve succeeded in keeping the magic of opera alive,” says Moss. “That is the biggest compliment we can receive.”
The project that Moss and his team have undertaken demonstrates that sound systems can enhance rather than compromise the art form. The integration of EM Acoustics at Glyndebourne serves as an example of how innovation can coexist with tradition. By embracing the right technology and integrating it with care, the venue has expanded its creative toolbox and the scope of its productions. “This has really upped the stakes in what we can do here at Glyndebourne,” says Moss.
