Here’s how a culture vulture’s summer day by the lake could unfold: A guided tour through the architectural and artistic wonders of Kunsthaus Bregenz by morning, an afternoon unwinding at the waterfront with a glass of wine or two, and – as the sun sets on a picture-perfect day – a world-class opera performance on the floating stage.
The Kunsthaus Bregenz, a gallery of global repute, presents contemporary art throughout the year, often involving the building – itself a work of architectural art – being taken over by one artist. Meanwhile, during the festival season the regal “Hohentwiel” steamboat offers enjoyable trips on the lake like the good old days. All this can be easily fitted in prior to the evening’s performance of “Der Freischütz” by the lakeside to round off a great day.
‘Der Freischütz’ by Carl Maria von Weber
A godforsaken village in Germany shortly after the Thirty Years’ War: The young scrivener Max loves Agathe, daughter of the head forester Kuno. But to marry her, the inexperienced marksman Max must participate in an archaic tradition and score in a shooting trial – an unfulfillable challenge for him.
The dubious war veteran Kaspar knows about this. He convinces the scrivener to meet him at Wolf’s Glen at midnight to forge “free bullets” that never miss their target. Max, who does not see any other way out of his unfortunate situation, sells his soul to the devil. Not knowing about the catch behind this deal: while six of the cursed bullets will hit the desired target, the seventh lies in the devil’s hands. In the meantime, his fiancé Agathe tries to find sleep in the stormy night.
On the morning of their wedding day, she is overtaken by a deep sense of foreboding. Even her best friend Ännchen cannot cheer her up. When the shooting trial finally begins, Max is on his seventh bullet. He brings the gun to his shoulder, aims and pulls the trigger.
Carl Maria von Weber's Der Freischütz will be performed from the 16th of July until the 17th of August 2025 on the Seebühne in Bregenz. The music directors of the lake stage production in summer 2025 are the Swedish conductor Patrik Ringborg and his German colleague Christoph Altstaedt. Philipp Stölzl is not only directing the opera, but has also designed the set and lighting.
Trip duration
Approximately 12 hours
Number of participants
Minimum: 10
Recommended reservations
Guided tour through Kunsthaus Bregenz
Cruise on Hohentwiel
Tickets for the Bregenz Festival
