Virtual Orchestra
A Brief History
Virtual Orchestra development began in 1987. The intent was to develop a sophisticated and innovative live-performance music system that was capable of simulating both the sound and behavior of the traditional acoustic orchestra. This implied a performance system with the ability to follow tempo changes and to adjust to subtle musical nuances in real time. Initial research began at the Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.
While Virtual Orchestra development was continuous and ongoing, it was challenged by the technological conditions that prevailed through the late 1980s and early 1990s. This included slow microprocessor speeds, low memory capability, equipment bulk, and software reliability issues. Regardless of the imposing limitations, the Virtual Orchestra design strategy was daring, risky, and always cutting-edge. That strategy was defined by three fundamental objectives:
1) the deployment of 40+ audio speakers to achieve spatial realism
2) natural interface technology based on physical gesture detection
3) innovative sampling, synthesis, and orchestration techniques for sonic realism
By the mid-1990s, with numerous high-profile performance credits, the Virtual Orchestra had achieved international recognition. However, this early recognition was often critical and accompanied by public outrage. Fueled by musician skepticism and bolstered by union resistance, it was not uncommon to encounter strong anti-Virtual Orchestra reviews such as the following:
......the virtual orchestra work of Bianchi and Smith is responsible for “… the dehumanization of society and the deterioration of education.”
In 1997, Realtime Music Solutions (RMS) was founded in New York by Jeff Lazarus, Frederick Bianchi, and David Smith. The aim of RMS was to develop and promote innovative live-performance technology including Sinfonia® (the virtual orchestra). In 2004, the first patent (No. 6,696,631 - Music Performance System) was awarded to RMS.
A key factor in the worldwide acceptance and success of the technology has been the ongoing association with major theatrical licensing organizations including Musical Theatre International (MTI), the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, the Bernstein Office, and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group (RUG). Important collaborations over the years have included Lucent Technologies, Cirque Du Soleil, Broadway, Off-Broadway, London’s West End, and numerous tours in America and Europe. The technology has been used in over 300,000 performances on six continents including the following productions:
9 to 5
The Addams Family
Aida
Annie
Annie Get Your Gun (Stone version)
Beauty And The Beast
Big River
Bring It On
Carousel
Cats
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
A Christmas Carol
Cinderella (1957 Original)
Cinderella (1997 Enchanted)
Cinderella (2013 Broadway)
Damn Yankees
The Drowsy Chaperone
Elf
Evita
Fiddler On The Roof
Footloose
Freaky Friday
A Funny Thing Happened...
A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder
Godspell (Broadway 2012)
Guys & Dolls
Hansel and Gretel
Hairspray
High School Musical
How To Succeed
Hunchback of Notre Dame
In The Heights
Into The Woods
Jekyll & Hyde
Jesus Christ Superstar
Joseph...Dreamcoat (Original)
Joseph...Dreamcoat (UK-Mega Mix)
The King And I
Legally Blonde
Les Miserables
Les Miserables SE
The Little Mermaid
Little Shop Of Horrors (Original)
Little Shop Of Horrors (Revival 2003)
Magic Flute
Mamma Mia!
Marriage of Figaro
Mary Poppins
Matilda
Miss Saigon
Miss Saigon(SE)
The Music Man
My Fair Lady
Newsies
Oklahoma
Oliver
Once Upon A Mattress
Peter Pan
Phantom (Yeston)
The Phantom Of The Opera
Pippin (Original)
The Producers
Ragtime
Ragtime SE
Ragtime (Version II)
Rent
Rent SE
Seussical
She Loves Me
Shrek
Singin In The Rain
Sister Act (Alternate Broadway)
Something Rotten
The Sound Of Music
South Pacific
Sunset Boulevard
Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd SE
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Thoroughly Modern Millie SE
Titanic
The Wedding Singer
West Side Story
West Side Story(SE)
White Christmas
Willy Wonka
Wizard of Oz
Sinfonia® 2004