photo : David D. – Puukibeach
In the next few weeks the Austrian area of Lake Constance will play host – or maybe that should be hostess – to an operatic tribute for a poet whose work was concerned with the mental and moral health of mankind. And this takes place at the foot of the mountain!
Lake Constance
Set at the north end of the Alps, Lake Constance crosses the boundaries of 3 countries – Switzerland, Germany and Austria. It was formed by the Rhine glacier in the last ice age and is fed by the river Rhine in the south at the Austro-Swiss frontier. At 395 metres above sea level and 39 miles long, it is Central Europe’s 3rd largest lake.
The lake supports a host of industries including a cruise ship service from Bregenz, a lively Austrian city based on its banks.
Bregenz
Austria’s western-most federal state is Vorarlberg. Bregenz is the capital of the state and sits at the foot of the Pfänder mountain.One of many claims to fame of the city, is that it has the biggest Baroque bulb-shaped steeple in Central Europe on its Martinsturm chapel.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Bregenz was once owned by the mighty Habsburg dynasty, who ‘bought’ it in 1523 and retained sovereign control until the 19th century when this mighty powerhouse fell.
Bregenz also hosts a significant music and performing arts festival annually in July and August. This was started in 1946 following WWΙΙ and takes place at several venues across the city. Perhaps the most enchanting and unique of the venues is the Seebühne – a 7000 seat floating theatre stage capable of hosting large scale performances.
Bregenzer Festspiele
This year the Bregenzer Festspiele (festival) includes the story of ‘André Chénier’ (a French poet at the time of the French Revolution) with music by Umbro Giordana, in night-time performances on the Seebühne. Performances start at 21:15 and continue for 2 hours without an interval. For more information about performances of this opera, see the Bregenzer Festspiele website.
André Chénier
The story of André Chénier is set in 1789. Much admired by the French nobility for his sensual and romantic poetry, he was also a victim of the Revolution they so strongly opposed.
In the late 1700′s, France was in turmoil with civil war and much feuding between rival political factions. Known as the French Revolution, this period in the country’s history was characterised by extensive violence and mass executions of those perceived as ‘enemies’ of the changes occurring – especially the move away from control by the nobility.
Some 16,549 alleged ‘enemies’ were guillotined for their views and Chénier became such a victim. His death occurred just 3 days before the end of ‘La Terreur’ (The Reign of Terror) – a most evil episode in French history.
Romanticism
Chénier’s poetry was an examplar of an emerging trend in art and literature in the late 1700′s, known as Romanticism. As with all ‘Romantics’, Chénier held a strong belief in the importance of nature and it’s role in promoting mental and moral health.
Romantics were generally distrustful of the world of men, but placed much value on the ‘spirit’ of romance as typified in the courts of the nobility of earlier times. Chivalry and love were emphasised.
How fitting then, that the Bregenzer Festspiele plays host to Chénier’s story – a true experience to move you towards mental and moral health in a most romantic setting with the backdrop of a mountain!
