Un ballo in maschera

The Work on the Floating stage

For all artists is playing one's part on the floating stage at Bregenz a very special challenge. Besides the TV and radio transmissions and the attention by the media worldwide it is also a very special experience to sing in front of 6,500 spectators each night, what makes a total of approx. 150,000 in one summer. And, the artists can be sure that they open in many cases opera for a new public.

But, this extraordinary experience comes along for the singers with a lot of hardships and when a tone does not fit only few people ask why. Just concerning the condition the floating stage already demands a lot from the artists - by the extent (with a bit more than 30 meters the length was still small in this year compared to the 100 meter of Porgy and Bess in the last two years) and as well by its 16 per cent incline. From all members of the choir and all dancers was asked a swimming certification. Besides this three to five divers always stand by during rehearsals and performances.

Photo:Miro Kuzmanovic

Though the acoustics at Bregenz are very good for a natural stage and they are improved still each year, especially at windy days it is hard to balance the voices well. Additionally the singers hear the orchestra sometimes twice and in general they can stay in view contact with the conductor only by monitors. Ten monitors are spread on the spectators stands, but those, which could be seen well since their positions are on eye-level, are hard to be seen because of the blinding spotlights. Sensitive against mosquitos the singers may not be either. It would not be the first time that an insect would fly in a singer's mouth. A good health is also well required because of the significant variations in temperature. When storm or thunderstorm comes up the performance on the floating stage are interrupted and continued on the stage of the Festival House, but this means that only the 1,700 spectators with a ticket for the house (Hauskarte) can move indoors. The 4,800, which have only a ticket for outdoors (Seekarte) have to be sent home. When the performance has lasted less than one hour they get their money back. The average over the years is just at 1.9 that the performance had to move indoors. This means that many times also with slight rain the outdoor performance still goes on. To play also in rainy conditions is possible because - different for example to Verona, where the orchestra stops playing with the first rain drops - the Vienna Symphonists and parts of the choir sit beneath the stage in a concrete tub in the water of the lake. There the valuable instruments are well protected.