Theatre on the Lake
Bregenz Festival each summer attracts thousands of opera lovers and tourists, who come to see its fabulous floating lakeside stage and enjoy the productions held in the most spectacular fashion. Although there is a traditional indoor theatre, most guests are attracted to Bregenz – a small town in Austria — by the original stage that floats on the Lake Constance. The audience is seating on the shore and enjoying the amazing theatrical imaginative productions, which is the signature of all the lakeside performances.
The Bregenz Festival’s remarkable success story began as an innovative solution to a challenge. In 1946, the city of Bregenz lacked a stage large enough to host Mozart’s enchanting work, Bastien et Bastienne. Ingeniously, two gravel barges near the gondola harbor were transformed into the inaugural opera stage on the lake, captivating audiences with the unique charm of this setting.
In its very first year, the festival attracted visitors from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and France, establishing itself as an international event. Just four years later, Bregenz celebrated the opening of its first permanent lake stage, elevated on wooden posts. On rainy nights, around 1,000 attendees and performers would retreat to a nearby gymnasium to continue the show, showcasing the festival’s resilience.
In 1979, the lake stage underwent significant renovations and expansions, leading to the opening of the Festspielhaus (Festival Theatre) in 1980. This advancement ensured that when bad weather struck, audiences could seamlessly move to the theatre.
The Vienna Symphony made its debut in Bregenz as the festival’s orchestra for the inaugural production, and it has remained a cherished part of the festival ever since.
By 1998, the festival boasted a dynamic lake stage, the main hall of the Festspielhaus, and the new Werkstattbühne (Workshop Stage), significantly broadening its program offerings. With a total of 12,000 seats now available, the festival reaches approximately 10,000 young people each year through its cross-cultural initiatives.
A standout moment was the staging of The Magic Flute in 1985, which became a sensation. Its revival in 2013 garnered enthusiastic acclaim, prompting calls for more productions. Since then, performances have continued to flourish, with the stage becoming increasingly elaborate and stable.
Since 2015, the theatre has showcased acclaimed operas, including Turandot, Carmen, Rigoletto, and Madame Butterfly.
Bregenz Theatre is truly a must-visit destination for an unforgettable experience.
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