Opera performances in Bregenz kick off with "Oedipus"
The Bregenzer Festspiele, a renowned cultural event in Austria, is gearing up for an exciting 2025 season. The 79th edition, scheduled for July 16-August 15, will mark a significant milestone with the premiere of George Enescu's monumental opera *Œdipe* and the return of Carl Maria von Weber's *Der Freischütz* to the iconic Seebühne (Floating Stage).
Andreas Kriegenburg, the esteemed theater maker, will bring *Œdipe* to the stage at the Bregenzer Festspielhaus. This opera, which tells the life of Oedipus in four acts, was first performed in 1936 and is a major lyrical tragedy by the Romanian-born composer. The opening ceremony on July 16 will be attended by 1,500 guests from politics, business, and culture, with the Austrian Federal President, Alexander Van der Bellen (Greens), officiating.
The very next day, on July 17, *Der Freischütz* will return to the Seebühne with its much-loved production by director Philipp Stölzl. This production became a favourite with audiences during its previous summer run.
Unfortunately, the Bregenzer Festspiele is facing financial challenges. The federal government, the state, and the city have announced subsidy cuts for the festival, amounting to a loss of approximately 2.1 million euros per year for the next two years. The Austrian Minister of Culture, Andreas Babler, refused to comment on these subsidy cuts.
Despite these challenges, the Bregenzer Festspiele has managed to have two premieres this year. The stage design and costumes for *Œdipe* range from fiery red-orange to misty blue-gray or black like ash, while the ancient palaces are eight-meter-high, simple walls made of rough, colored wood.
In his speech, Van der Bellen called for a strong, self-confident Europe, emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation in challenging times. The Bregenzer Festspiele, with its rich history and promising future, continues to be a beacon of cultural excellence in Austria and beyond.
In the spectacular 2025 season of the Bregenzer Festspiele, there will be a blend of lifestyle and entertainment as Andreas Kriegenburg brings the lyrical tragedy, Oedipus' life story in the opera 'Œdipe', to the stage. On the following day, July 17, the audience can immerse themselves in the captivating music of Carl Maria von Weber's 'Der Freischütz' at the iconic Seebühne.
