“Princeton University Concerts was privileged to host the North American premiere of Future Presence, the virtual reality project created by Henrik Oppermann in collaboration with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. After presenting it once in 2024, we immediately rebooked it for 2025 and look forward to continuing this collaboration in the future.

This project is a one-of-a-kind experience—artfully crafted to move and inspire audiences like nothing else we’ve presented. Over the course of four days, we saw hundreds of people put on a virtual reality headset and step into this immersive installation. The event drew an incredibly broad audience, spanning all ages and backgrounds—from families with young children to couples on date night, groups celebrating birthdays to senior citizens with walkers, and everything in between.

The sheer emotional impact was undeniable—we witnessed tears of joy, moments of deep reflection, and audiences completely absorbed in the experience. At its core, this project prioritizes the sonic world, with spatial audio that allows each listener to embark on a unique journey, moving freely among the instruments for an up-close and deeply personal encounter with the music. At the same time, the stunning and intentional visual design reshapes how you hear the music, making it feel entirely new.

Beyond the technology, what makes this project truly special is its unexpected ability to forge a deeply human connection—despite being a solitary experience. Whether through sound, sight, or emotion, it invites each person to engage with music in a way that is both intimate and transformative, leaving a lasting impression long after the headset comes off.”