On the assessment of the multiplicity of spaces in the acoustic environment of cathedrals: the case of the cathedral of Seville

Abstract

Depending on the type of configuration to be adopted there are multiple forms of occupation of a cathedral which can significantly influence the acoustic environment. As a result, several activities with different acoustic requirements, including preaching and the musical performance of a song or piece can coexist during the same ceremony. Therefore, the requirements needed to achieve suitable acoustic conditions may vary depending on the type of configuration. This article presents the development of the multiple spaces inside the cathedral of Seville, the largest Gothic church in the world. The aim is to evaluate the acoustic environment of the cathedral, which has an exceptional multifunctional character, in terms of the different configurations generated inside for concerts and other unique ceremonies, as well as the varied arrangement of the sound sources to meet the requirements of these events. The in situ acoustic measurement carried out in the cathedral enabled the assessment of the current acoustic conditions. In addition, the use of virtual simulation tools made it possible to recover the sound of past times and to establish its potential in future intervention projects. The evaluation of various configurations established the effects of the occupation, of decoration in the acoustic environment, and of different choral and instrumental musical motifs. This analysis was carried out taking into consideration the objective acoustic parameters contained in ISO 3382 and a subjective approach to the temporal and spatial factors. According to this analysis in a large multifunctional building such as the cathedral of Seville there is no general preference for a specific music motif given that the subjective perception of the sound field depends on the type of configuration, while occupation varies depending on the purpose of the event.