He hasn\u2019t seen the score and can\u2019t actually play his instrument. But with the help of a virtual headset, our writer joins the revered orchestra for the rollicking finale of Rossini\u2019s William Tell Overture<\/p>\n
I\u2019m about to perform with the Philharmonia Orchestra and I\u2019ve not rehearsed my part. In fact, I\u2019ve not even seen the score. Or played my instrument before. Nervously taking my place among the virtuosos, I look around: the brass, string and woodwind sections are all warmed up and ready to be led by the energetic conductor, Santtu-Matias Rouvali. Then I glance up at the audience: the Royal Festival Hall is packed to the rafters. Gulp!<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you OK there?\u201d asks Marta G\u00e9nova, the Philharmonia\u2019s head of digital product and experience, \u201cor do I need to tighten your headset?\u201d This, you see, is Virtual Orchestra, a VR experience designed by the Philharmonia that lets you play percussion during the rollicking finale of Rossini\u2019s William Tell Overture. You\u2019re offered the choice of triangle, cymbal and timpani (the last is \u201cdefinitely the most fun\u201d, G\u00e9nova assures me) and after a quick run-through of the sounds you can get from your instrument, courtesy of Philharmonia percussionist Tom Edwards, you\u2019re thrown into a rehearsal and then the actual performance. I\u2019ve barely had time to say \u201cHow do I hold these sticks again?\u201d before the strings start swelling, Rouvali waves his baton and a musical score starts hurtling across the bottom of my vision. Oh God, I think, am I about to screw this up?<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/436e27a29e68436e65636974930b83fdaf9dde17\/218_2_4665_3732\/master\/4665.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=0ebcb10c6531727cd28c7476ab7ae0d7\" "\\"\u2018Will")
<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"