Amadeus has designed and installed a new electro-acoustic sound reinforcement system for Le Préau, the National Drama Centre of Normandy in Vire. The Main Hall, with a capacity of 590 seats across an 18-meter width and 22-meter depth, now benefits from a highly precise and spatially coherent sound environment, closely aligned with the stage action.
Designed in close collaboration with Technical Director Alexandre de Monte and Director Lucie Berelowitsch, the system delivers exceptional sound localization and strong audiovisual correlation for every seat in the auditorium.
The sound system of our Main Hall was installed in 1996. It was high time for a major investment in this technical domain to replace our system. The project began in 2018,
says Alexandre de Monte.
Lucie Berelowitsch, Manager at Le Préau and Stage Director, as well as the production sound designers collaborating with her, already had a very 'spatial' approach to sound creation. It was natural to choose this type of technology, which is furthermore booming these days. We were encouraged in this choice by the successful and proven experiences initiated by several colleagues, mainly at the Théâtre National de Chaillot, but also the Comédie Française, La Scala, Les Champs Libres, Thélème, and Radio France.
At the core of the installation is a HOLOPHONIX spatial sound processor, developed by Amadeus in collaboration with IRCAM, enabling the use of Wave Field Synthesis (WFS) technology. This approach preserves spatial information across the audience area, ensuring consistent sound localization regardless of listening position.
I enjoy working on this system. It responds well. It is very clear, without aggressiveness,
says sound engineer Mikael Kandelman, long-time collaborator of Lucie Berelowitsch.
The main sound system is built around three Amadeus loudspeaker arrays. A first array of eight Amadeus C15 triaxial speakers is flown above the stage front, providing uniform coverage and high spectral accuracy. Integrated into the stage front, a custom-designed 24-speaker PMX-based front-fill system forms a discreet “sound ramp,” delivering precise coverage for the lower audience while reinforcing the visual-sound connection to the stage. This front-fill system can be disassembled in a few minutes, in case the proscenium needs to be manipulated.
A third array of Amadeus C6 speakers, flown above the audience, reinforces low-mid frequencies toward the rear of the hall.
Low-frequency reinforcement is provided by four Amadeus ABB 18 subwoofers, with two positioned near the stage and two installed overhead, ensuring controlled and balanced bass throughout the venue.
This installation highlights Amadeus’ ability to design tailor-made, high-resolution sound systems that meet both the artistic vision and technical demands of contemporary theater.
