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Buenos Aires, Argentina. When the Teatro Colón opens its doors to an amplified production, the challenge is always the same: to reinforce the sound without altering one of the most prestigious acoustics in the world. Under this premise, Lavecchia Sonido, a company led by Rodrigo Lavecchia, worked on the sound design for the Astor Piazzolla Eterno series, commissioned by the Teatro Colón and RGB Medios. The goal was to achieve a fully integrated reinforcement system, capable of complementing the music and the performance without modifying the historic character of the hall.

 


 

The solution relied on DPA Microphones technology, which became the cornerstone of the sound system. Internationally renowned for its natural balance and timbral richness, the Teatro Colón demands that any amplification system act as an “invisible guest.” Lavecchia Sonido emphasized the importance of working with tools that would amplify the sound without coloring it, ensuring maximum coherence between what happens on stage and what the audience perceives. Microphone selection was therefore a critical aspect of the design, prioritizing precision, wide dynamic range, and excellent feedback rejection in a highly acoustically sensitive environment.

 

 

DPA 4099 microphones, renowned for their linear response and instrument-specific mounting system, were used to amplify the orchestra. The close and stable capture ensured timbral consistency across the different instrument families, achieving high gain before feedback even in a highly reverberant hall. The result was a naturally amplified orchestra, where the amplification functioned as an organic extension of the Colón's acoustics, not as an external element.
 

Actors and singers worked with DPA 6066 headsets, praised by both the technical team and the cast. Their ultra-discreet design minimized their visual impact on stage, while their comfort proved crucial during extended performances. Exceptional intelligibility in dialogue and singing allowed voices to project with clarity and presence without losing nuance, avoiding the "amplified voice" effect common in operatic settings and ensuring seamless integration with the orchestra.

 

 

The production also set a precedent in Argentina by incorporating the new DPA N-Series wireless systems for the first time. Throughout the season, the RF stability in a complex environment was highlighted, as well as the robustness and reliability of the transmitters—key factors for sustaining a show of such high technical and artistic demands. The natural sound captured by microphones is maintained through air via this wireless system.

 
 

The marketing department of EQUAPHON, DPA's official representative in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, emphasized that being part of a production at the Teatro Colón entails an enormous responsibility and is also a source of pride for the company and the brand. They noted that the project confirms that DPA technology is ready for the most demanding environments in the world, where preserving the acoustic essence is paramount, and that supporting Lavecchia Sonido in this endeavor reaffirms their commitment to technical and artistic excellence in the region.

 

 

Following the premiere, the response from the artists and management was conclusive: the system successfully amplified the sound without compromising the Teatro Colón's acoustic essence. Astor Piazzolla Eterno demonstrated that technology can be integrated with sensitivity and precision into a demanding operatic environment, allowing the electronics to fade into the background and the essential elements—Piazzolla's music, the live performance, and the Colón's unique acoustics—to remain front and center.

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