Spoilsports

BREGENZ boasts the world's largest 'floating' opera stage, with performances every summer in front of open-air seating for almost 11,800 people.

The opera is changed every two years, with this summer's being Der Freischütz (The Marksman) by Carl Maria von Weber and Friedrich Kind.

Normally, when the Bodensee chess congress is being held, the set is either under construction, or, if it is the second year of a particular opera, re-erected, and the acoustics tested.

Anyone can walk in for free, sit down, admire the set and listen to the music.

Often it is possible to listen to the music while watching Zeppelins flying over the lake behind the stage against a clear-blue sky (Ferdinand von Zeppelin established his airship factory at nearby Friedrichshafen).

Alas, this year the opera area has been fenced off.

The opera stage can just be glimpsed in the distance (photos of previous sets are on the left) 

The Carmen set under construction in 2017