Those who love seeing an opera or ballet know how expensive it can be to get a seat with a perfect view. However, now, Google is letting everyone have front row access to the stage by releasing a new virtual exhibition that gives viewers 360-degree views of the performances.
From the Google Cultural Institute, the new Performing Arts experience features performances held at some of the world's leading art venues, such as Carnegie Hall, the Berliner Philharmonie and the Bolshoi Theatre.
The experience features recordings of performances where the user can choose to have the perspective of a dancer who is looking out to the crowd, or look down from the stage into the orchestra pit.
Provided with 360-degree views, the user can stand in the middle of the stage as dancers perform choreography from Benjamin Millepied, or take a seat between instruments as they watch Maestro Nézet-Séguin instruct his orchestra in Carnegie Hall.
Sure, having a front seat or even being onstage during these performances will allow us to enjoy the arts in a way like never before, but the Google Cultural Institute is also giving backstage passes at each of the venues, using the new indoor Street View imagery. This means users can take a tour around the Brussels opera house, check out the costumes at France's National Centre for Stage Costume and peek underneath the stage at the Fundação Teatro Municipal in São Paulo, Brazil.
Users can also view interactive stories about each of the shows and their stars as part of this all-access pass.
The Google Cultural Institute was founded back in 2011 to bring museums and historical venues to anyone with a smartphone, tablet or computer. Users can check out the 360-degree performances, Street View images and descriptions on the Performing Arts home page.
Source: Google
