Music, Art, & Culture in Bregenz

Location: Bregenz, Austria

Program Type: Faculty-directed

Semester: Summer

Music, Art, and Culture in Bregenz takes place in Austria and Germany during summer session II (July). The program offers students the chance to experience some of the most impressive musical events in Europe and tour some of the world’s finest art museums while learning how to appreciate music and art. The program also examines some of the political and cultural histories of the two countries and its relevance to contemporary culture. Students are housed with families by a coordinator from Bregenz who lived in the U.S. for 23 years.

The program is based in Bregenz – the site of an international opera festival. The central focus is an outside opera, which is performed on the world famous “floating” stage which floats on a lake, while the audience sits on the shore.  The sets are lavish and rival any Broadway performance. Next year we will see Carmen by Georges Bizet, which features a woman’s arms that come out of the lake holding a set of cards, along with holograms, lights, fireworks, dancers, and stunt people. We will also attend the opening night performance in the indoor opera house which is a very upscale event – similar to attending the Metropolitan in NY –  with all kinds of dignitaries wearing gowns and tuxedoes.