A Swiss humanoid robot is to conduct a Tuscan orchestra in the works of Verdi alongside Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. The robot, called YuMi, will be the closest a humanoid has come to mastering the nuances of a human orchestra director when he performs.

“YuMi has a very high level of fluidity of gesture, incredible softness and expressive nuancing,” said Andrea Colombini, the director of the Teatro Verdi in Pisa where the concert will be staged.

Created by the Swiss company ABB, YuMi will make his orchestral debut on Sept. 12 directing the Lucca Philharmonic.

The performance will climax a gala event for the end of the first International Festival of Robotics being held in Pisa, organized by the prestigious Scuola Normale of Pisa university and the ARPA foundation of which Bocelli is the honorary head.