Bach, the legendary composer, resurfaces as an Augmented Reality Digital Character
In a groundbreaking move for the music world, the Leipzig Bach Festival 2025 will bring Johann Sebastian Bach to life through the use of augmented reality technology. The renowned composer, who passed away in 1750, will appear on stage as an avatar, giving daily conversational concerts and offering insight into his life and works.
The idea came from Michael Maul, the festival's director, who expressed his desire to experience Bach in person. The festival's theme of "Transformation" will be fully realized as Bach rises from a historic portrait in the Bosehaus summer hall, where he once performed three centuries ago.
Maul collaborated with software development team OVRLAB from Leipzig to make this dream a reality. Using the latest augmented reality technology and a team of actors, voice actors, and a harpsichordist, the team aims to create an immersive mixed-reality experience that combines reality, facts, quotes, and a touch of fantasy to bring Bach to life.
The script for the concerts was written by Maul, a renowned Bach scholar at the Bach Archive Leipzig, based on surviving statements from Bach and his contemporaries. Audiences will wear VR glasses to immerse themselves fully in the performances.
The "reborn" Bach will debut at the Leipzig Bach Festival on June 13, 2025, and will be offered multiple times daily for eleven festival days. After the festival, the performance will be permanently hosted at the historic Bosehaus on Leipzig's Thomaskirchhof. Additionally, a global tour is planned, beginning in South America and Southeast Asia.
www.bach-leipzig.de/de/virtual-bach-experience.
The Leipzig Bach Festival has been honoring the works of Bach since its inception in the 19th century. Over eleven days, more than 200 events featuring renowned interpreters from around the world will take place. The festival welcomes guests from over 50 nations and serves as a hub for Bach research and music lovers.
Tickets for the "Virtual Bach" experience can be found at www.bach-leipzig.de/de/virtual-bach-experience. The admission price is 20 euros, while a combined ticket for the event and admission to the Bach Museum is 25 euros.
This innovative approach to bringing Bach to life in 2025 not only revives his image but also merges history with modern technology, providing a unique experience that aligns with Bach's own transformative spirit.
The innovative approach merges history with modern technology, using augmented reality technology to bring Bach back to life as an avatar for a unique entertainment experience. The reborn Bach will offer insightful conversational concerts, embodying the transformative spirit of the renowned composer.
