The acoustics of the Eastman Theatre have been poor since completion of Phase One in 2004. The sound is muddled in the orchestra seats, owing to acoustical "shadows" caused by inappropriate shell angles. The upper balcony seats, once offering the best sound, are now excruciatingly bright. Musicians have a harder time hearing themselves inside the new shell.

Adding box seats and reducing seating will only partially address the problems. Worse, the box seats cannot be flexibly "tuned," as could far cheaper acoustical panels.

Sound has always been poor near the walls. There is no reason to believe it will be any better in box seats.

In 1924, Times-Union music critic AJ Warner wrote of the Eastman Theatre: "Its acoustics are regarded as among its most notable features, for one can hear perfectly in any corner of the great structure, so carefully has it been designed."

There is no record of acoustical complaints during the early years of the theater. We went off track somewhere, and particularly so in the louder-brighter 1972 renovations, highly touted at the time.

Thirty years later, the University now admits that those changes didn't sound good. Will it take another 30 years to admit the much worse travesty of 2004-2008? "Louder, brighter, more impact" has pushed the Eastman Theatre beyond its genteel capabilities. Classical music is suffering.

The anomalies are largely "corrected" when the equalized, well-aimed sound system is employed, but then it is just like listening to a huge stereo. Theater sound systems do not sound as good as real music - only louder; offering quantity over quality.

Eastman's acoustical consultants, Akustiks, recently designed a new orchestra enclosure at the fan-shaped Hilbert Circle Theater in Indianapolis. The enclosure angles cause the same acoustical shadowing as does Akustiks' shell at the similarly fan-shaped Eastman Theatre. In Indianapolis, Akustiks specified continued use of an existing sound system for classical concerts. Caveat auditor.

Reducing seating from 3,094 to 2,250 this summer sounds impressive, toward more intimate acoustics. But there will be little decrease in the hall's total volume. All the air space up to the chandelier and back to the rear of the balcony will remain.

For an in-depth non-technical analysis with lots of photos and sound files, including suggested solutions, please visit sirhute.com/eastman-acoustics.htm.

BOB LAIRD, SODUS

(Laird is a longtime RPO patron.)