The Alisher Navoi State Academic Bolshoi Theatre, Tashkent

Sound System — L-Acoustics

The engineering team faced the challenge of designing a world-class sound reinforcement system that would deliver equally clear, transparent, and balanced coverage across every seat — from the orchestra pit to the upper balcony.

The main front-of-house system comprises L-Acoustics Kara IIi arrays — ten elements per cluster — complemented by KS21i subwoofers in a custom white finish, blending seamlessly with the auditorium’s color palette and preserving architectural symmetry.

Coaxial systems — 5XT, X15 HiQ, and X8W — are deployed for near-field coverage, stage monitoring, and under-balcony fills, respectively.

Extensive acoustic modeling in L-Acoustics Soundvision and precise system positioning ensured uniform sound pressure levels throughout the venue while maintaining the hall’s natural reverberation, so vital to vocal and orchestral performances.

At the heart of the system lies the DiGiCo SD10 digital mixing console, providing the sound engineer with comprehensive control over every production. The SD10’s scene automation, snapshot recall, and high channel count are indispensable in theatre applications, where each performance demands precise dynamic adjustment tailored to stage action and pit acoustics.

The console also supports digital audio network integration and multitrack recording, enabling archival capture of performances and advanced spatial sound configurations.

Throughout the modernization, great care was taken to integrate all components — from cabling paths to loudspeaker housings — in a way that preserved the historic aesthetic and acoustic balance of the theatre.

“The system performs flawlessly — even coverage, excellent intelligibility, and full compliance with the theatre’s artistic and technical goals. All this was achieved without compromising the historical appearance of the hall,”
— notes Vladislav Zhurakovsky.

Today, productions at the Bolshoi Theatre no longer require additional acoustic correction: tonal balance and clarity remain consistent across all genres — from chamber opera and ballet to full symphonic performances. The DiGiCo SD10 scene management and L-Acoustics networked control have significantly enhanced workflow efficiency and precision for the sound department.

Stage Lighting — Ayrton

The upgrade of the stage lighting system marked a new milestone in the theatre’s artistic evolution. The team selected Ayrton luminaires for their precision, expressiveness, and reliability.

The Ayrton Bora S profile delivers high-CRI output, a dense beam, and exceptionally smooth dimming, making it ideal for key lighting, actor modeling, and scenic architecture.

The Ayrton Mistral — a compact, versatile fixture with an extensive zoom range and wide color palette — enables both soft wash scenes and dynamic effects, perfectly supporting stage rhythm and motion.

The new lighting infrastructure allows real-time adaptation of lighting concepts, precise color temperature control, and full synchronization with stage cues, ensuring that visual atmosphere aligns with the director’s creative intent.

“Ayrton equipment has demonstrated outstanding stability, consistent color reproduction, and flexibility in complex lighting setups. Integration into the historical infrastructure required custom mounts and concealed cabling, but all requirements were successfully met,”
— adds Zhurakovsky.

Video Projection — Barco

Modern productions demand not only superior sound and lighting but also immersive visual design. To support multimedia direction and projection mapping, the theatre installed two Barco UDX-W32 projectors with interchangeable lens kits, including ultra-short-throw optics.

This configuration enables both traditional scenic projection and contemporary visual effects.

“We are very satisfied with the image quality — high brightness, contrast, and accurate color rendition. The Barco projectors fully meet the expectations of our technical and artistic teams, providing the flexibility required for complex stage visuals,”
— comments Zhurakovsky.

Stage directors and scenographers now enjoy new possibilities for visual transformation — from realistic backgrounds to digital scenography and projection-based environments.

Results and Impact

“After the renovation, it feels as if the theatre has gained a new breath. We can now work with greater creative freedom, exploring visual and acoustic solutions unrestricted by technical limitations,”
— concludes Vladislav Zhurakovsky.

The Bolshoi Theatre of Uzbekistan has gained not merely an upgraded technical infrastructure, but a renewed stage environment that meets contemporary international standards of acoustic performance, lighting design, and media integration.

Project Team

The concept and implementation of the sound reinforcement system were developed by the engineering team at Sound Creations, in close collaboration with Vladislav Zhurakovsky, the Art and Culture Development Foundation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and technical specialists from YASTREB-Sound.

List of equipment

26 Ayrton Mistral S24 Ayrton Bora S
20 L-Acoustics Kara IIiW
6 L-Acoustics SK21iW
8 L-Acoustics X15 HiQ
8 L-Acoustics 5XT
8 L-Acoustics X8W
1 DiGiCo SD10
2 Barco UDX-W32