Hof University of Applied Sciences has received funding from the City of Bayreuth for a pioneering digitization project: Under the title “3D Digitization of Historical Stage Sets from the Bayreuth Festival Theatre,” significant stage set models from the archives of the Richard Wagner Museum Bayreuth are being reconstructed and brought to life using state-of-the-art AI technologies.
The project is part of the “Festival150” anniversary year in Bayreuth and adds an innovative digital dimension to the cultural program of the world-famous Bayreuth Festival.
Unique cultural treasures in the digital realm
The historical set models for Richard Wagner’s operas are among the most significant artifacts in theater history. They not only document staging concepts but also reflect the development of the Gesamtkunstwerk over more than a century. More than 100 of these detailed models are stored in the museum’s archive—the majority of which have been largely inaccessible to the public until now. The goal of the project is to digitally preserve selected models, catalog them scientifically, and make them accessible to a broad audience.
“For the first time, we are making the hidden treasures of Wagner’s stages fully accessible—and in a way that goes far beyond traditional exhibitions.”
Prof. Michael Zöllner, Interactive & Data Driven Systems (iisys) research group at Hof University of Applied Sciences.
Artificial Intelligence Meets Culture
At the heart of the project is the use of state-of-the-art AI-based methods such as Gaussian Splatting and Neural Radiance Fields (NeRFs). These enable the creation of photorealistic, walk-through 3D models from millions of pixels. The calculations are performed on high-performance computers at the AI Application Center at Hof University of Applied Sciences. This is supplemented by traditional digitization methods such as high-resolution panoramic images and 2D/2.5D reproductions.
“Our AI models allow users not only to view the stage sets, but also to virtually enter and understand them. This opens up entirely new perspectives for education and cultural participation.”
Prof. Michael Zöllner
Experience for the Public
A central goal of the project is the development of interactive applications based on Extended Reality (XR). In the future, visitors will be able to virtually explore historical stage sets, move freely through the models, and discover details about their construction, dramaturgy, and staging. The first results of the project are to be presented at public events—including the RiWa Street Festival and the festival grounds in Bayreuth during the festival year.
Project Timeline
The project runs from April to October 2026 and is divided into several coordinated phases. Initially, suitable stage set models will be selected, constructed, and scientifically documented in collaboration with the Richard Wagner Museum Bayreuth. This will be followed by digitization: in addition to high-resolution 2D images, the models will be captured using 360° photography and video. Based on this, photorealistic 3D reconstructions will be created using AI methods such as Gaussian splatting, calculated at Hof University of Applied Sciences. The results will culminate in an interactive prototype exhibit and an accompanying website.
Research, Preservation, and Future Prospects
In addition to educational outreach, the project also pursues scientific goals. It lays the groundwork for the systematic digitization of the entire collection and develops guidelines for future digitization projects in the cultural sector. The stage sets—once conceived as a “silent, enabling backdrop”—thus move to the center of a new digital perspective. They are not only preserved but also made accessible in all their complexity. “We are combining cultural history with technological innovation. In doing so, we are making an important contribution to the sustainable preservation of our cultural heritage,” Prof. Zöllner concludes.
