In the early 1990s, the Valentine Theatre was renovated and reopened with the showing of Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca.
Last month, the installation of acoustical tiles from Owens Corning completed an ongoing renovation project that began in April of this year. With funding from both Owens Corning and Rudolph Libbe, the Theatre is now better equipped for the demanding acoustics for opera performances—just in time for Tosca to return to the Valentine stage on October 12.
The total cost of renovations to the orchestra pit was less than $30K, and came about primarily because the sightline of the conductor was poor. “Our primary concern was that the conductor, from where he was, couldn’t see the furthest rows of the orchestra, or the back part of the stage,” said Rudolph Libbe Project Manager Brian Neal. Unable to view the whole orchestra, conductors would use cameras and screens in order to view and be viewed by the symphony.
Now, an additional eight feet of horizontal space makes it possible to include more musicians in the orchestra pit and enhance the listening experience for patrons. “We’re able to add 10 more players to the symphony under the stage,” said Suzanne Rorick, director of the Toledo Opera. “When this opening became bigger, it was clear that just on the main floor you could hear every instrument very clearly,” she said.
Toledo’s Valentine Theatre now ranks as one of the best European-style opera houses in the country, according to Marketing Director Matt Lentz, with all of the necessary qualities for a great opera performance, right down to the recommended number of seats. The renovations will also enhance sound quality for Toledo’s local arts groups that perform at the Theatre. “If the opera needs it, then everyone needs it,” Lentz explained. “Area schools and arts groups will have access to a world-class pit.”
View the full schedule of upcoming events at valentinetheatre.com. For ticket info, call the box office at 419-242-3490.
In the early 1990s, the Valentine Theatre was renovated and reopened with the showing of Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca.
Last month, the installation of acoustical tiles from Owens Corning completed an ongoing renovation project that began in April of this year. With funding from both Owens Corning and Rudolph Libbe, the Theatre is now better equipped for the demanding acoustics for opera performances—just in time for Tosca to return to the Valentine stage on October 12.
The total cost of renovations to the orchestra pit was less than $30K, and came about primarily because the sightline of the conductor was poor. “Our primary concern was that the conductor, from where he was, couldn’t see the furthest rows of the orchestra, or the back part of the stage,” said Rudolph Libbe Project Manager Brian Neal. Unable to view the whole orchestra, conductors would use cameras and screens in order to view and be viewed by the symphony.
Now, an additional eight feet of horizontal space makes it possible to include more musicians in the orchestra pit and enhance the listening experience for patrons. “We’re able to add 10 more players to the symphony under the stage,” said Suzanne Rorick, director of the Toledo Opera. “When this opening became bigger, it was clear that just on the main floor you could hear every instrument very clearly,” she said.
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Toledo’s Valentine Theatre now ranks as one of the best European-style opera houses in the country, according to Marketing Director Matt Lentz, with all of the necessary qualities for a great opera performance, right down to the recommended number of seats. The renovations will also enhance sound quality for Toledo’s local arts groups that perform at the Theatre. “If the opera needs it, then everyone needs it,” Lentz explained. “Area schools and arts groups will have access to a world-class pit.”
View the full schedule of upcoming events at valentinetheatre.com. For ticket info, call the box office at 419-242-3490.