2004
A new artistic director: David Pountney
Continuity and innovation: West Side Story on the Seebühne
"Presenting serious and interesting ideas in a popular way, that's what turned Bregenz Festival into such a unique event. It has been and still is my goal to continue on this path and consolidate it.”
David Pountney about his first season
David Poutney started his first festival season true to the motto "continuity and innovation". Not only was Bernsteins celebrated musical West Side Story repeated on the Seebühne, the whole programme was reformed: Right at the beginning of the season, a newly conceptualized opening ceremony introduced the new era.
Showcase: composer Kurt Weill
For the first time, the festival showcased one particular composer. In 2004, this was Kurt Weill. Two of Weill's rarely played early works Der Protagonist and Royal Palace were staged at the Festspielhaus. At the same time, his long forgotten operetta Arms and the Cow directed by David Pountney at the Kornmarkttheater opened the door for a new form of operettas.
Kunst aus der Zeit: Plenty of premieres
The number of guests at the various performances of the contemporary series Kunst aus der Zeit (KAZ) in the summer of 2004 exceeded all expectations. Developed and further enhanced by David Pountney, KAZ offered a number of premieres including The Story of Io by the British doyen of composers Sir Harrison Birtwistle and Hoffmanniana by the young Vorarlberg-born composer Thomas Dézsy. The Hamburger Thalia Theater fascinated visitors with a satirical comedy about retirement called Thalia Vista Social Club.