The Internet has reached a critical mass.
For the first time, it is asking: Who am I?

 
The Protagonist of Virtopera, Cold Genius, a virtual figure, who carries the symbol "8" on his forehead, is asking this question. The "8" embodies the possibilities as well as the boundaries. In fact, Internet information exists only if it is called up, downloaded, thereby turning a virtual existence into a real one. The manifestation materializes on the location from which the user accesses the Internet. So this information exists on two levels simultaneously: as real/concrete and as virtual/abstract. By the same token, the virtual existence of Cold Genius is called up, materializes, by virtue of Live-Events, he manifests himself at a location, where he hopes to receive new insight, knowledge and understanding. He is crossing borders, simultaneously real/concrete and virtual/abstract.

 
The Character of Cold Genius is derived from his origin. Despite his knowledge, he is curious and interested to find new insights and new understanding. He wants to bring an order into his chaos so that he can cross borders. He can experience soul only if he goes beyond the borders of the Internet. He wants to live art, experience art unobstructed, in order to define himself. It is with this motivation as guiding force that he is seeking a "teacher", whom he meets in Mantua (Italy), on occasion of his first Live-Event manifestation. The Human world of feelings is unknown in the virtual world of Cold Genius, therefore fear, passion, love and feelings of happiness are unknown to him. He is without respect, without inhibitions, plagiarizes everything and seizes every opportunity to fulfill his wishes. He "borrows" life of others, always driven by the longing to feel emotions and to understand.
The Idea for this virtual figure was a brainchild of the Munich-based composer and conductor Eberhard Schoener. It was his goal to compose an Opera for the Internet, whose protagonist embodies the features of this new medium. Cold Genius, then, features the possibilities as well as the limitations of the Internet. Among others, Olympia from "The Tales of Hoffmann" by Jacques Offenbach or the wooden doll Pinocchio have contributed to the figure of Cold Genius
Realization: Cold Genius is not a computer animation. He is able to perform in real time. By virtue of noDNA technology, through sensors, mobility and by transposing the mimicry of humans onto virtual figures, this feat is accomplished. Cold Genius, then, can react directly and does so without a preconceived concept.
 
The Name: The name Cold Genius is a figure of Purcell's Short Opera "King Arthur". The name is adopted to symbolize the Internet situation: although information is administered and supplied, this "brilliant" function of the Internet is without soul, therefore "cold."
 
The Task: Cold Genius is longing to find the secret of life.
 

In Virtopera, the journey of Cold Genius is described, his transformation from a virtual mass to an individual with feelings. The end of his journey is left open, for the user, too, accompanies Cold Genius through the many stations of his life, as they participate and contribute to it. On his journey, he is destined to learn about the myths that have inspired and empowered the culture of Humans. His virtual world is juxtaposed by a world of emotions, passions, and Humanity.

Via interactive mode, the user can participate in the development of Cold Genius, thereby transforming Cold Genius as well as himself and his interaction with the medium Internet.

GeniUser is what the user is called. As he accompanies Cold Genius (via interactive mode) on his journey, he is intended to deepen, inspire and musically expand the development of Cold Genius (Forums, Communities, Music and Text).
 

Cold Genius and his Travels: There are specific locations and designations in the life of Cold Genius.

Four Live-Events are going to be staged, all of them broadcast on the Internet. In Mantua, Cold Genius experiences Human love, in Salvador, the magic world of the Candomblé is revealed to him and in Calcutta he will experience suffering and spirituality. Reaching Cologne at the end of his journey, the finale is putting an end to his travels and travails.

Following each Live-Event, Cold Genius is scheduled to appear on and participate in the Live-Chat. The users are asking Cold Genius directly. In conversation, Cold Genius will look back on his experiences, will re-think his ideas and concepts and will acquire new perspectives.
 

The Music: It will become the magic wand for Cold Genius to find out about the soul.

With each Live-Event, he will learn more about the secrets of music and deepen his perception. In Mantua, Cold Genius learns that singing is a magic tool to exchange and communicate emotions and to generate feeling. Therefore, he decides that as he continues on his journey he will himself learn how to sing.

It is only through Humans that matter becomes alive, is endowed with soul. Cold Genius needs Human beings in order to define himself. He is a product of artifice, of technology, and he is seeking the soul. That is the only way he can learn about himself and identify himself. With each encounter, each time he meets another Human being, he is led to new insights and new understanding, away from his indifferent life and his indifferent set of information.

All in all, Cold Genius becomes the virtual projection of a series of fantastic ideas and perceptions which help us navigate in the real world.

 
Who is Cold Genius?