Princeton University Concerts To Host Groundbreaking Virtual Reality Sound Installation

PRINCETON, NJ – From Jan. 11-13, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Princeton University Concerts presents a unique showcase of Felix Mendelssohn’s music with a new “Future Presence” program in virtual reality and spatial sound.

Developed by Mahler Chamber Orchestra (MCO), this interactive experience brings participants on a groundbreaking journey through several selections from Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Op. 61, including the beloved, famous “Wedding March.” The event will be held at the Princeton University campus.

“Last year, the North American Premiere of this novel experience was wildly popular and elicited such unexpectedly emotional reactions,” said PUC Director Marna Seltzer.

“Of course, this is not a replacement for live concertgoing; rather it is an entirely new and exciting way to experience music in an interactive, immediate, immersive, and truly beautiful way. I am excited for this season’s version to take participants through musically narrative excerpts of Felix Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The theatrical nature of this score is thrilling to experience in this new medium.”

With the aid of Meta Quest VR headsets, audiences will be able to move around (or through/over/under) the musicians as a multi-dimensional recording responds in real time.

Unlike other virtual reality (VR) musical applications that can be experienced at home, Future Presence focuses on 3D sound, recorded with cutting-edge audio technology, that changes as the participant moves around the virtual space. This interactive aural landscape, captured in high-dimension audio, takes precedence within the virtual landscape.

The virtual reality environment will create the illusion that listeners are alone with the musicians, allowing for a remarkably personalized experience of the performance.

In contrast to usual concerts and recordings, in which a fixed seating location or an engineer determines the acoustics, “Future Presence” gives the listener complete freedom to explore, experiencing how the sound changes as they move through the virtual space.

“One interesting takeaway from our experience last year was the camaraderie fostered among participants, despite the experience being essentially solitary," Seltzer said.

Timed-entry tickets, $20 General/$10 Students, are now available at puc.princeton.edu or by calling 609-258-9220.

Each time slot is limited to eight patrons ages 10 and up.

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