Churches as Auditoria: Analysis of Acoustical Parameters for a Better Understanding of Sound Quality

At the present time, music performances frequently take place in ancient religious buildings, and significant problems related to acoustic quality may occur. Measurement results obtained in 10 historically significant churches in the city of Genova, are examined. Experimental data obtained from research literature on auditoria and churches has been compared with the experimental results. A survey of the available theoretical models of the spatial distribution of the most significant acoustical parameters has been conducted, and the models most suitable for religious buildings have been applied to the churches selected. A comparison between theoretical models and experimental data is presented. A case study on the effects of permanent and non permanent acoustical treatment, without significantly changing the architectural characteristics, is presented for one of the churches selected. The results of the measurements, at various phases of the acoustical treatment, and some software simulations are presented.