‘Karaoke’ technology lets viewers play along to concerts
FANS of karaoke will already be familiar with the sing-along lyrics that scroll along the bottom of the television screen, encouraging amateur singers to belt out their favourite tunes.
But the BBC is planning to take interactive entertainment to a new level, with the development of new technology that will allow musicians to play along to classical concerts at home.
Beginning next month, the corporation will test new “immersive musical experience” software during a series of nine concerts by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra at the University of Salford. Executives say the technology, which lets viewers pull up an animated musical score, will “change the way people experience an orchestra”.
The software, dubbed Venue Explorer, will give audiences the chance to zoom in to sections of the orchestra, and isolate the sounds played by particular instruments, as well as receive on-screen information about performers and the music they are playing.
Fans who attend the series of trial concerts have been asked to bring tablets and phones into the auditorium to try out the new technology. If the trial is successful, executives hope to roll out the technology to the corporation’s broader portfolio of classical events, including the BBC Proms.
Bruce Weir, a senior technologist in the BBC’s research and development division, said: “Those watching online and via their phones or tablets will be able to enjoy and explore the orchestra like never before.
“The enhanced video stream is a project we’ve had in development for a few years now, and it gives people more control and lets them be guided by their curiosity.” The series of nine free concerts have been dubbed “The Red Brick Sessions”, and will be streamed live on the BBC Philharmonic website, available for 30 days after broadcast.