Virtual Reality at Princeton: Future Presence Revolutionizes Classical Music Experience

Future Presence: Immersive Virtual Reality Brings Orchestra Performance to Princeton University

For four days at Princeton University, a groundbreaking virtual reality installation called “Future Presence” allowed audience members to experience the Mahler Chamber Orchestra in a whole new way. This immersive experience, part of the university’s Performances Up Close series, invited visitors to don virtual reality headsets and headphones and wander around a virtual stage while digitally rendered musicians played legendary classical works. The installation aimed to break down traditional barriers of attending concerts and provide a unique way of thinking about “up close” performances.