The Tuscan theatre surprised it’s opera audience with a mechanic robotic orchestra conductor. The concert in the heart of Pisa is a world first, with two mechanical “arms” conducting live music at the grand finale of the first International Festival of Robotics.
YuMi, designed by robotics leader ABB, was taught to mimic Colombini’s gestures. “It was extremely difficult to train,” says Andrea Colombini, the conductor of the Lucca Philharmonic Orchestra.
The humanoid does not stand, however: It sits on a pedestal that gives it the support it needs to move its long arms. It’s not a particularly friendly looking robot, and Colombini acknowledged that they did not get on at first. “It was not love at first sight…It took a long time ,” he said. “Training YuMi to perform six minutes of music “took 17 hours of work.”
Borsi looked apprehensive as she stood in her shocking pink concert gown, waiting for the robot to begin directing the classic soprano aria “O Mio Babbino Caro” (“Oh My Beloved Father”) by Puccini.
The effect is somewhat odd: the musicians watch for the first baton stroke and gamely follow it throughout the aria, but the traditional vitality of a human conductor — keeping tempo with the whole body, even through the breathing — is missing.
Later, when the conductor himself takes to the stage, his whole body sways and thrusts — and the difference is startling.
“There’s not much room unfortunately for improvisation, you have to go with the robot,” says American violinist Brad Repp, who took part in the concert.
“It’s a cool effect… but there’s no way this could be the future,” he said.
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