Following its acclaimed debut at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence in July 2024, the opera Samson recently captivated audiences at the Opéra-Comique.
Conceived by conductor Raphaël Pichon and director Claus Guth, this production reimagines Jean-Philippe Rameau’s lost 1734 work, not as a reconstruction but as a bold reinterpretation – one where sound design plays a defining role in creating a contemporary auditory experience.
The Opera was presented to the theater’s listening audience with an advanced sound system powered by the HOLOPHONIX processor and Amadeus loudspeakers.
Designed to create an immersive and precise soundscape, the system seamlessly integrated live orchestration with dynamic 3D audio effects, enhancing the emotional and narrative depth of the Samson opera.
A Modern Sound Design Approach
Sound designer Mathis Nitschke brings a fresh sonic perspective to Samson, blending historical influences with a contemporary, cinematic approach.
His work builds upon specially recorded percussion samples, captured in Munich with the exceptional percussionist Mathias Lachenmayr.
“We drew inspiration from the historical tradition of percussionists in early music, who often crafted their own instruments to produce a variety of unique sounds.
“Many of Samson’s deep infrasonic rumbles come from timpani tuned extremely low and played with a ‘superball’ mallet.
“We applied similar techniques to ‘thundersheets’ and metallic elements, which are also played live by the orchestra’s percussionist. This live integration allows the sound design to connect seamlessly with Rameau’s music,” explained Mathis Nitschke.
Revolutionising Opera Acoustics with Spatial Audio
Unlike the open-air challenges of Aix-en-Provence, the enclosed space of the Opéra-Comique provides the ideal setting for precise sound distribution.
The HOLOPHONIX spatialisation processor employs advanced 3D Wave Field Synthesis to position sound sources accurately within the space, ensuring a balanced and enveloping auditory experience for every audience member.
The system includes over 40 Amadeus loudspeakers, featuring models from the C Series and PMX Series.
These speakers offer controlled directivity while integrating discreetly into the Opéra-Comique theater’s architecture.
The combination of the HOLOPHONIX processor and Amadeus speakers creates an organic blend of active acoustics and sound amplification, refining the venue’s natural sound properties while reinforcing key sonic elements.
A Meticulously Engineered Electro-Acoustic Architecture
The electro-acoustic system deployed for Samson at the Opéra-Comique was precisely designed to deliver an immersive, spatially coherent listening experience across the entire venue.
The main FOH system comprises eight Amadeus C15-90 loudspeakers, flown above the orchestra pit and evenly spaced to provide a consistent front-stage image.
A distributed surround system of 12 Amadeus C12-80 units envelops the audience, with four additional C12-80 speakers discreetly embedded within the stage decor, allowing for seamless integration of sound and scenography.
To support low-frequency energy and infrasonic effects, two Amadeus ABB 18 subwoofers are positioned in the stage-level loggias, delivering precise LFE extension without overwhelming the room.
Particularly noteworthy is the custom-designed spatial front-fill system, composed of 16 Amadeus PMX 5 MKIV speakers.
Installed along the front of the stage, these speakers are carefully housed within a long wooden structure meticulously crafted by the Opéra-Comique’s in-house carpenters.
This architectural integration not only respects the visual integrity of the venue but also plays a vital acoustic role.
Based on Wave Field Synthesis (WFS) principles, the system reconstructs virtual sound sources across the width of the stage using precise delay and amplitude control for each speaker.
This advanced spatial technique ensures that the sound remains anchored to the visual action on stage – eliminating localisation artefacts, enhancing intelligibility, and preserving a natural auditory perspective for every listener, including those in the front rows who are typically acoustically underserved.
By aligning sonic and visual cues with such precision, the front-fill system reinforces realism and immersion, elevating the opera-going experience to unprecedented levels.
Advanced Sound Design by Mathis Nitschke
“The HOLOPHONIX system was crucial in shaping Samson’s spatial dimension,” Mathis Nitschke added. “As is often the case, spatialization is most powerful when it goes unnoticed.
“Of course, there are dramatic moments where sound design surrounds and overwhelms the audience. But the true beauty of the HOLOPHONIX system revealed itself in the off-stage chorus.
“The singers were positioned in a confined space behind the stage, which initially sounded weak and narrow. By using microphones and ‘folding’ their sound around the stage, we transformed the experience. Suddenly, the chorus felt expansive, as if it were emerging organically from the stage itself, filling the entire width of the space and enveloping the stage action.”
Meeting the Acoustic Challenges of Opéra-Comique
The historic Opéra-Comique presents unique acoustic challenges, with distinct sound responses across the orchestra seating, upper balcony, and under-balcony areas.
To address this, the Samson production utilizes a sophisticated speaker configuration, including a C15 array above the stage, subwoofers (A2 or A4), and carefully placed surround speakers.
Unlike in Aix-en-Provence, where speakers were camouflaged, the controlled lighting of Opéra-Comique allows for standard black-finish speakers without aesthetic compromise.
“The audience was thrilled, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive,” said Aurélie Granier, Technical Manager of the Audiovisual Department at Aix-en-Provence. “This opera, with its combination of sound and visual effects, had a highly cinematic aesthetic that amplified the emotional impact and added real dramaturgical value to the performance.”
“In all seriousness, I cannot praise the collaboration enough,” continued Mathis Nitschke. “It began with the system design consulting by Gaëtan Byk and was beautifully realised through the programming and tuning by Clément Vallon and Adrien Zanni.
“At every stage, I was impressed by their understanding of theater production needs and workflows. The synergy between the HOLOPHONIX team and the opera’s sound technicians was exceptional— smooth, efficient, and truly appreciated by all.”
(At HOLOPHONIX, Adrien Zanni is the Head of R&D and Clément Vallon is an Engineer and Product Manager.)
The Future of Immersive Opera Sound
The success of Samson underscores the growing role of spatial audio in classical performance.
The HOLOPHONIX processor, developed in collaboration with IRCAM and CNRS, has already been integrated into prestigious institutions such as the Comédie-Française, Théâtre National de Chaillot, and La Scala Paris.
Its application in Samson sets a new benchmark for operatic sound design, proving that advanced spatialisation technologies can enhance historical works while maintaining their artistic integrity.
“With Samson, we demonstrate how spatial sound technologies and electro-acoustic enhancements can elevate artistic expression,” said Gaëtan Byk, President of Amadeus and creator of the HOLOPHONIX brand. “Our collaboration with the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence and Opéra-Comique represents a significant step in merging cutting-edge technology with live classical performance.”
“To be honest, I didn’t see much need for elaborate 3D audio systems in theater before I worked with HOLOPHONIX,” admitted Mathis Nitschke. “I was content with my surround workflows and feared the added complexity. But after this experience? Whenever possible, I will ask for HOLOPHONIX in future productions.”
By embracing HOLOPHONIX and Amadeus technologies, Samson redefines operatic sound design, offering an unparalleled auditory journey that bridges Baroque tradition with the future of immersive performance experiences.
Technical Information:
8 x Amadeus C15-90
16 x Amadeus C12-80
2 x Amadeus ABB 18
16 x Amadeus PMX 5 MKIV
2 x Powersoft Ottocanali 4K4 DSP+DANTE
3 x Powersoft Ottocanali 8K4 DSP+DANTE
3 x Powersoft T604
1 x HOLOPHONIX Ultra Spatialization
