Reviving the sacred whispers of Hagia Sophia
How cutting-edge technology and a team of dedicated cantors are helping bring back the authentic sound of Byzantine chants
On a recent Saturday morning, passers-by in Constantinople’s Balat neighbourhood heard the whisper of Hagia Sophia. It wasn’t a “miracle,” but a feat of human ingenuity – made possible through the collaboration of cutting-edge research at Stanford University, the vocal mastery of 30 of Greece’s finest cantors and the unwavering determination of a Greek entrepreneur to breathe new life into the Greek community of Constantinople.
But let’s start at the beginning. Panagia Balinu is a small 16th-century church with deep historical ties to prominent Phanariot families. For decades, however, it lay neglected and in a state of disrepair. Thanks to the initiative and funding of Byron Nicolaides, founder and CEO of PeopleCert, the church was restored and reopened to the faithful in November 2023.
Yet even before the restoration was complete, a new idea had already taken shape. Nicolaides was aware of a remarkable achievement by two Stanford researchers who had succeeded in recreating the acoustics of Byzantine hymns as they would have resonated in Hagia Sophia before the Fall of Constantinople. These researchers – art historian Bissera Pentcheva and digital music expert Jonathan Abel – are both affiliated with Stanford. Could the iconic acoustics of Hagia Sophia be brought to life within the humble walls of the Panagia Balinu Church?
The plan was set into motion immediately. The Hagia Sophia – PeopleCert Choir was formed, comprising 30 of Greece’s top cantors, many of whom trace their roots to Istanbul. Nicolaides described them as a “national team of cantors” – and he would know, having served as a cantor himself in his youth. At the same time, contact was made with Professor Abel, who enthusiastically joined the project and provided expert guidance to the team.
For six months, the cantors rehearsed in a specially designed space in the basement of PeopleCert. “Every Thursday, the employees on the upper floors were astonished by the sound of the chanting,” Nicolaides recalled during an emotionally charged event last Saturday, where friends and journalists were given a first glimpse of the project. Once rehearsals were complete, the team moved on to recording the hymns – 28 in total – performed in the authentic patriarchal style: austere, restrained, and free of unnecessary embellishment. The recordings took place at Sierra Studios using Dolby Atmos, an advanced surround sound technology that delivers a three-dimensional, immersive audio experience – giving the impression that the sound surrounds the listener from every direction.
The audio files were then sent to Stanford for processing, with the goal of recreating the acoustics of Hagia Sophia – a space where “the interaction between the dome and the semidomes which create these specular reflections, and the colonnades which create this diffuse, almost noiselike acoustic.” To digitally reconstruct this unique acoustic environment, the Stanford team employed advanced simulation techniques, drawing on detailed sonic data and physical measurements of the site.
As part of the process, Abel conducted an acoustic test by sitting in the center of the church and popping a balloon, capturing the way sound behaved in the space. This “acoustic fingerprint,” unique to each location, recorded Hagia Sophia’s signature echo and reverberation, making it possible to transfer that sound to any environment. “The main thing about the Hagia Sophia acoustics that’s different, that stands out, is just the incredibly long reverberation time,” said Abel, a researcher at the Stanford Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA), who led the project’s acoustic analysis and digital sound reconstruction. “Technology is crucial, especially as historical spaces become inaccessible or are significantly altered over time. Since 1453, Hagia Sophia has undergone radical changes and can no longer be experienced in its original form. This technology allows us to virtually resurrect its acoustic landscape – essentially excavating its echo – enabling immersive experiences adapted to the present. And this capability can be extended to many other historic spaces.”
Meanwhile, critical modifications began at the Panagia Balinu Church. “Essentially, what we had to do was remove the church’s existing acoustics and replace them with those of Hagia Sophia. One echo had to depart so another could arrive,” said Nicolaides. A multichannel audio system was installed, specifically designed to replicate Hagia Sophia’s sonic environment with precision. “No matter where you stand in the church, you’ll hear the same sound – as if the 30 cantors are surrounding you.”
“It was a project that started small and grew into something enormous,” said Nicolaides. “A demanding undertaking that, in fact, had to be done twice. When you attempt something for the first time, it’s rarely perfect. We learned from our mistakes, and in the end, the results spoke for themselves.”
The project is expected to be completed by September. Once finalized, it will be permanently housed at the Church of Panagia Balinu, where a projector has also been installed to support a full audiovisual presentation accompanying the hymns. “We are reviving the authentic sound of Byzantine chant as it once resonated in Hagia Sophia – not as a nostalgic re-creation of the past, but as a living voice that speaks to everyone, regardless of heritage or belief. Hagia Sophia has always been a symbol of spirituality and transcendence. Today, it also stands as a symbol of unity – a bridge between history, the present and the future. Through the power of artificial intelligence and sound, we are offering a cultural experience that preserves, connects and belongs to all humanity. Our heritage must not remain locked in the past – it should be alive and accessible to every person, wherever they may be,” Nicolaides concluded.
Professor Abel also described it as “a deeply human project – one that allows us to reconnect with a significant part of our shared history and collective memory.”
As noted, proceeds from the project will go toward supporting the Greek community – its parish and schools. It is no coincidence that Nicolaides has been honored by the community as a great benefactor.
Source: ekathimerini.com
