Photo: courtesy of Hanna Pribitzer

The era of multimedia opera has begun! (Which should mean lots of awesome A+ nominees for the performing arts category, right?) The Haus der Musik in Vienna has just opened a new, interactive theater, VIRTO|STAGE — designed by AllesWirdGut Architektur — with a seriously mind-bending debut of Johannes Deutsch’s immersive opera Zeitperlen. VIRTO|STAGE reinterprets the classical opera house not just with interactive technology, but also by putting audience members center stage, allowing them to direct and run the show themselves. Read more!

Photos: courtesy of Hanna Pribitzer

The new space makes it possible to experience orchestra music, opera singing, and set design from within by giving spectators the virtual impression that they are the protagonists.  Thanks to the sensors embedded in the pavilion architecture, hand gestures and body movements can modify the storyline and the degree of audio-visual complexity. They can direct their very own personal music and opera experience and “live” it at the same time.

Images from Zeitperlen. Photos: courtesy of Johannes Deutsch

For Zeitperlen, Deutsch uses themes from Don Giovanni, The Flying Dutchman, and Ovid’s Metamorphoses to collate an entirely new performance that has the spectator at the center. The spectacular imagery created by the artist combining photography, painting, and digital imaging adds to the uncanny experience.

AllesWirdGut designed the space based on a playful form that resembles an actual “personal arena” for the visitor, further enhancing the demiurgic quality of the experience. VIRTO|STAGE will be joined by a second pavilion that will accommodate performances for children from December.

Images: courtesy of AllesWirdGut

by Silvia Gugu

posted in first look New Projects news

tagged alleswirdgut, AllesWirdGut Architektur, interactive design, opera, opera house, pavilion, vienna

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