augmented reality (lite) hits the Met Opera

I just read in the times about a new production of Berlioz’s Damnation de Faust at the Metropolitan Opera that uses some augmented reality projections for the set design. The guy behind it is Holger Forterer, a German media artist. He also did a similar thing for Cirque de Soleil’s Ka, by the same director in Las Vegas. I can’t find what language he programmed this in, but it could easily be done in Max.

I don’t think this use of augmented reality is that novel, but it’s interesting that it is becoming a standard technique, rather than just an oddball experiment. Most exciting is that this same style is likely to be used for Wagner’s Ring cycle in 2010-11, the first new production since the one in the 80s (which was awesome).

-Zach