A good performance transports you to another world. Never has that world been so enchanting as at the Bregenz Festival, where a dazzling stage floats on Lake Constance and spectators watch from the shores. Legendary operas and orchestral concerts in Bregenz take the stage as audiences are swept into the magic of storytelling. Acrobats twirl from larger than life stage sets and the resonating sounds of singers and instruments fill the open air theatre with awe.

The Bregenz Festival, known as Bregenzer Festspiele in German, is an arts festival held every summer from July to August in Bregenz, Austria. While most iconic for its operas, the festival has grown over the years to include a host of offerings. These include ballets, orchestral concerts, poetry readings performed to chamber music, and events tailored for children to encourage a love for theatre.

In its first iteration in 1946, the festival brought together people from Austria and neighbouring countries to delight in the enjoyment of art after the harrowing World War II. At that time, the now famous floating stage was nothing more than two barges. Today, hundreds of thousands of people flock to this premier destination as the opera in Bregenz is an experience unlike any other. Carrying on the spirit of open air theatre, the Bregenz Festival continues to be a majestic celebration of the arts in the warmth of summer.

The history of opera in Bregenz is enough to make any aficionado swoon. With performances of renowned works from the likes of Puccini and Verdi, each year holds thrilling interpretations of the classics. Each year’s festival also shows how the productions outdo themselves in creating theatrical experiences straight out of an audience’s wildest imaginations. With opera performances every evening, veteran actors, singers, dancers, and musicians weave spell-binding stories as the sun sets over the lake.

It’s not just the operas, but also the orchestral concerts in Bregenz that contribute to the festival’s claim to fame. However much the operas may change with each year, one thing remains constant: the musical prowess of the Wiener Symphoniker. They have been mainstays of the festival since its inception, acting as the orchestra in residence and treating audiences to breath-taking performances. Revered conductors who have led the orchestra at the festival include the late Georges Prêtre and Karl Böhm. Whether attending an orchestral concert or hearing the Wiener Symphoniker’s grand swells of music during the operas, it’s easy to understand how they earned their place as a highlight of the Bregenz Festival.

Other than the festival itself, Bregenz as a city is a pleasure to experience. Must-sees include the Vorarlberg Museum where art exhibitions tell the stories of prehistoric to modern day civilizations and the Kunsthaus Bregenz that displays stellar contemporary art from around the globe. To take in the city as a whole, there is no shortage of possibilities. A hike or a quick cable car journey to the top of Pfänder Mountain offers sweeping views of the city below. Another option is the historic landmark St. Martin’s Tower, which also provides excellent views and memorialises the city’s past.

The wonder of the performances at this festival are tied to the surroundings that are well worth exploring. While the festival takes place in Bregenz, Austria, the Lake Constance – or Lake Bodensee as it is known in German – is a picturesque body of water that connects four countries: Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. There are endless opportunities to  take part in these rich and varied cultures through readily available passenger ships. Whether you like a well-planned itinerary or a spontaneous jaunt, you’ll be perfectly situated to not only enjoy Austria, but visit its neighbouring countries as well.

As a nation, Austria’s reputation for artistic events of international acclaim includes the Vienna Opera Ball, the Salzburg Festival, and the Viennale International Film Festival. The Bregenz Festival certainly belongs on this list too. Bringing art and nature into harmony with one another, it is a jewel of an experience that you won’t soon forget.