Bregenz Festival welcome new director Lilli Paasikivi

Bregenz Festival welcome new director Lilli Paasikivi

A new era begins on Lake Constance with the artistic direction of the Bregenz Festival. Lilli Paasikivi, an experienced Finnin, will take over the reins from October 1, 2024. She succeeds Elisabeth Sobotka, who has moved to the Berlin State Opera. The Festival President Hans-Peter Metzler is pleased with her arrival and speaks of an intensive, one and a half year preparation time.

The first summer of the festival under the direction of Paasikivi will open on July 16, 2025. The operator George Enescu from Romania is on the program. Another highlight is the performance of “Der Freischütz” by Carl Maria von Weber, which will take place on the seaside stage from July 17, 2025. The entire program for the 2025 season will be published on November 21, 2024.

pioneering work in classical music

Lilli Paasikivi was born in Finland in 1965 and has a variety of experiences from the classical music world. In addition to her career as a singer, she was involved in the founding of two summer festivals in Finland. Her last position was the artistic direction of the Finnish National Opera, where she developed innovative programs and introduced new technologies into the performances.

"I am very happy to be able to work with a highly professional team in Bregenz. Preparations for the current and the coming season are already underway," said Paasikivi confidently. She is particularly excited about the new sea stage of "La Traviata" by Giuseppe Verdi, which is planned for the summer of 2026 and 2027 and whose premiere is scheduled for July 22, 2026.

The Bregenz Festival, which will take place in 2025 from July 16 to August 17, already promise an exciting and culturally diverse season. Interested parties can find more information and tickets on the official website www.bregenzerfestpiele.com or find out by phone (0043) 5574 4076