Acoustics and architectural culture. Innovative experiments in places of worship in Baroque Rome
The catholic confessional propaganda addressed to the people in Rome was made explicit by the profane
and sacred ceremonials, by stimulating all kinds of sensory perceptions, specially music, drawing
inspiration and tools from the scientific progress in the studies of sound and light (acoustic and optics).
The paper intends to highlight the interrelationship between architectonic acoustic and sacred spaces
in the roman baroque churches, and in other ecclesiastical and devotional places of worship. The
architectural design researches of Pietro da Cortona, Borromini and Bernini had the aim of poetically
harmonize every aspect of artistic creativity. In particular they gave special attention to the needs of the
audience, building moreover beautiful organ balconies and “coretti” or hidden choir galleries, where
musicians and singers fulfilled the acoustic side of the main liturgical ceremonies in the Oratories,
Chapels and Churches, with unprecedented commitment and spectacular sumptuousness, much
appreciated by the public.
