Uzhynskyi M. Scenophony as a Cultural and Artistic Phenomenon

The thesis presents the developed theoretical foundations of scenophony, the emergence of which was inspired by the transformation of cultural and artistic space in the second half of the 20th century due to scientific and technological progress and the emergence of new artistic technologies; the historical stages of the evolution of the sound component in dramatic theaters from the end of the 19th to the beginning of the 21st century are outlined; the connection of theatrical repertoire policy with the sound-technical possibilities of dramatic theaters is shown the parameters of expert evaluation of fixed musical material (phonograms) for use in theatrical practice are systematized; the scenophony of theatrical performances of the Rivne Academic Ukrainian Music and Drama Theater of 2004–2019 is characterized. Scientific and technological progress and the development of artistic technologies have significantly changed the musical and sound component of the play, which today is created with the help of audio equipment. Due to its use, a new type of audio component of theatrical actions is formed, which we name “scenophony”. Today, the sound component of the performance, which involves the use of phonograms with recordings of music, monologues, dialogues, speech messages, the use of microphone techniques and sound effects, is an integral attribute of theatrical performances. Theatrical sound director is a central figure in creating the scenography of staging actions. He is responsible for the creation and implementation of the sound concept (scenophony) of the play. Innovative computer recording software, sound libraries and software tools cannot replace a person and his creative abilities. Contemporary sound directors with the use of sound technology that significantly helps to accompany theatrical action encourage directors to create new sound images in the performances of a new formation – three-dimensional, spectacular, with lots of musical numbers. The scenophony of performances of the Rivne Academic Ukrainian Music and Drama Theater has become the result of a combination of creative efforts of the director and the sound director in solving their musical and sound concepts. Scenophonic concepts of performances of the Rivne Theater are based on all possible forms of work with sound: 1) “live” performance, where the audio equipment performs only the functions of sound amplification; 2) the use of phonograms as the basis of the scenography of the play; 3) a combination of “live” sound, amplified by equipment and phonograms. The choice of musical and sound concept of the play is connected exclusively with the creative tasks set by the director and aimed at achieving the maximum artistic result.