The Australian Chamber Orchestra goes virtual in a world-first installation via Mod Productions

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ACO VIRTUAL 01.jpgThe Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) has launched a creative collaboration ‘ACO Virtual’ with its founding partner Commonwealth Bank, built by Sydney digital media production company Mod Productions.

 

Imagine standing on stage surrounded by the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s virtuoso musicians, feeling the energy of artistic director Richard Tognetti playing his priceless Guarneri del Gesù violin or getting up close to principal violinist Satu Vänskä’s Stradivarius.

ACO VIRTUAL 02.jpgACO Virtual, the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s world-first digital installation, promises this and more.

 

Fusing digital technologies with visual and sonic innovation, this ground-breaking interactive installation allows the audience to conduct and even play with the ACO. Audiences can see the players’ lightning-quick hands in a way not possible in a concert hall, hearthe unique sounds of the ACO’s multi-million-dollar collection of instruments and feel the rush of being immersed in this “bad ass classical band” (Time Out New York).

 

ACO Virtual uses state-of-the-art video technology and features projections of 13 of the ACO’s acclaimed musicians in either 2D or 3D. Audiences are surrounded, with the sound of each musician coming from the direction of their individual projections. A touch-screen “music stand” allows users to spotlight and listen to one musician, a section of instruments or their desired selection of players. Audiences essentially step “inside” a concert and are immersed in a cinematic experience, surrounded by the musicians and manipulating what they hear and see, just like in a video game.

Mod Productions used 13 stereoscopic camera rigs to capture audio and 3D images of the ACO musicians performing in front of green-screens in a Fox Studios’ sound stage. This performance-capture technique meant the images of individual performers could be isolated and manipulated, allowing the audience to control the performance of the whole orchestra.

 

The musical score can be turned on to stream along the bottom of the screen, meaning anyone who plays an instrument can play along with the ACO, even standing in for Richard Tognetti himself. A smartphone application further enriches the experience with information about the music, the ACO musicians and their instruments.

 

A supplementary education kit is also available, filled with resources and activities for teachers and students to deepen their understanding before, during and after visiting the installation – a boon for schools and a memorable experience for anyone who loves music, visual art or technology.

 

ACO VIRTUAL 03.jpgThe work runs for 30 minutes and comprises carefully selected music by Bach, Grieg, Smalley and Piazzolla, designed to maximise the opportunity for audience participation. It delivers a unique and inspiring learning environment, giving people the opportunity to engage with – and learn from – world-class musicians they would not ordinarily have the chance to see performing on stage.

 

ACO Virtual will be exhibited at galleries, arts venues and museums throughout Australia and ultimately internationally, offering audiences a rare chance to get up close toAustralia’s most dynamic and critically acclaimed orchestra.

Says Michela Ledwidge from Mod Productions and the director of ACO Virtual: “We’ve created an interactive experience that showcases these amazing players and captures the magic of their live performance.”

 

Says Vittoria Shortt, chief marketing officer, Commonwealth Bank: “We’re committed to bringing innovation and the latest advances in technology to all Australians, and ACO Virtual demonstrates this commitment by taking the wonder of the ACO to a wider audience across the country. The ACO is leading the world in developing an orchestral experience capable of welcoming the audience into the role of conductor and even playing alongside our internationally renowned musicians.”

 

Says Timothy Calnin, ACO general manager: “ACO Virtual was conceived as a way to reach communities in remote parts of Australia which would not have access to live performances by the ACO, but it has gone much further than that. This world-first digital installation enables visitors to get inside the Orchestra and to play with the band. It is rich in educational content while simultaneously being immensely enjoyable as a musical event. Even after spending my whole career working with professional orchestras, I had never had the experience of being completely surrounded by the musicians in performance, and this is something which ACO Virtual achieves with remarkable realism.

“We could not be working with a more appropriate partner than the Commonwealth Bank as together we can achieve our shared goals of bringing innovation and high quality to the whole Australian community.”

A generous donation from the Minderoo Foundation has enabled the purchase of a second set of ACO Virtual installation equipment, which will allow it to be seen in twice the number of venues. This donation will also assist in providing ACO Virtual at a subsidised cost to remote and disadvantaged communities.

 

Audiences can experience ACO Virtual at the Sydney Opera House Studio from 21-23 October and 27-29 October as part of the iconic building’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

In 2014, ACO Virtual will tour a number of regional centres, including Port Macquarie in January and February, Bathurst in March and the Yarra Ranges in June and July. For tour dates and venues, click here.    

 

Forthcoming dates

Sydney Opera House Studio: 21 October – 23 October and 27 October – 29 October, 2013

The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie: 31 January – 24 February, 2014

Bathurst Regional Art Gallery: 21 March – 20 April, 2014

Camden: 24 May – 1 June, 2014

Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, Lilydale: 26 June – 27 July, 2014

Manly Art Gallery and Museum: 27 March – 26 April, 2015