Good things happen in Bregenz. Myself, @charlie_nugget and @culture_shock touched down for a long weekend in the charming Austrian town of Bregenz, home of the annual Bregenz Festspiele, a famous opera festivus. Bregenz hugs the most eastern shores of Lake Constance and is protected by some finely forested, steep mountains.
The main event is an al fresco opera of gargantuan proportions. The sets are built on enormous moving pontoons, the performances starting at sunset where 7000 revellers sit in huge banks of seats much like an amphitheatre. Here is a photo of the set during the day, which is modelled upon Marat's painting.
Here is a photo of the set of Andre Chenier that I took from our seats.
Big things happen everywhere, in fact here it's pretty much impossible not to feel like a king in Bregenz. Yet if you don't feel like a king, this restaurant menu has interesting solution to this problem:
'Convince yourself of our hospitality, enjoy the meal, and leave with the desire to return to this lovely place.' - It's almost subliminal.
Bregenz also has an astonishing series of swimming pools; the insides of which are clad in highly reflective steel. This gives you the feeling that you are diving into an aquatic space ship; rarely is this a bad thing. Here's yours-truly rocking some fresh-do-death speedos (€29) purchased on site.
We were incredibly lucky to have been looked after so well during our stay. Here is a photo of Wolfgang, a friend of an architect who invited us up to his joint in the mountains for a bash. Wolfgang, his mate, was a wizard with the tongs and cooked up a feast for us all. We were also treated to some impromptu singing as there were a few sopranos kicking around the joint. We weren't that sure when the next such opportunity would arise, so we lounged on large cushions whilst enjoying a very private Dido's Lament. Wunderbar.
Finally, here is picture of the three of us: The David Pountney Easy Listening Ensemble.
The main event is an al fresco opera of gargantuan proportions. The sets are built on enormous moving pontoons, the performances starting at sunset where 7000 revellers sit in huge banks of seats much like an amphitheatre. Here is a photo of the set during the day, which is modelled upon Marat's painting.
Here is a photo of the set of Andre Chenier that I took from our seats.
Big things happen backstage.
Big things happen everywhere, in fact here it's pretty much impossible not to feel like a king in Bregenz. Yet if you don't feel like a king, this restaurant menu has interesting solution to this problem:
Bregenz also has an astonishing series of swimming pools; the insides of which are clad in highly reflective steel. This gives you the feeling that you are diving into an aquatic space ship; rarely is this a bad thing. Here's yours-truly rocking some fresh-do-death speedos (€29) purchased on site.
Finally, here is picture of the three of us: The David Pountney Easy Listening Ensemble.
