Missionaries have entered to spread the word of God, rock bands stage gigs and hold press conferences, news agency Reuters even has a virtual bureau, now a philharmonic orchestra is planning the UK's first ever live virtual concert in Second Life.

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra hopes to introduce classical music to a new audience when it performs to an audience of 100 ticket winners on September 14.

Philharmonic Chief Executive Michael Elliott said: “Orchestras today are committed to reaching out to make their music more accessible to encourage new audiences."

“That means exploring and embracing the opportunities presented by new technology.”

Vasily Petrenko, the youngest Principal Conductor in the Philharmonic’s 165 year history, will lead the orchestra as they perform works by Rachmaninov, Ravel and two contemporary Liverpool composers.

Petrenko, singer Kate Royal and composer Kenneth Hesketh will be represented during the cyber event by animated Second Life characters known as avatars. The ticket winners, also represented by avatars, will watch the concert live as audience members.

The audience will ‘sit’ in a 3-D virtual version of the orchestra’s home venue, the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall which will be built on a virtual island already purchased by the Philharmonic.

During the virtual concert, audience members will be able to interact with each other, buy sweets from the refreshments shop and even nip to the loo.

“The social aspect of Second Life means audience members will be able to chat to each other (via instant messaging) about their experience and even cough without incurring the displeasure of the conductor and fellow audience members,” explained the Philharmonic’s Executive Director, Millicent Jones.

After the concert they will be able to meet Petrenko, Royal and Hesketh at a question and answer session in the bar.

The day after the performance, the Philharmonic will make the concert available to all of Second Life’s 8 million users.

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