New technical director for Bregenz Festival & Festspielhaus: Matthias Schneider to succeed Wolfgang Urstadt

Matthias Schneider was born in Kempten (Allgäu) in southern Germany. From 2017 until the end of 2024, he was workshop manager at Staatstheater Augsburg, taking on the additional post of assistant technical director in 2020. He then moved to Hessisches Staatstheater in Wiesbaden, where, as technical director, he is currently in charge of the technical operation of the theatre’s four stages: the Großes Haus, the Kleines Haus, the Studio and the external venue Wartburg.

Schneider, who studied stage technology and business administration in the technology industry, was chosen for the post from among nearly 30 applicants from all the German-speaking countries. He owes his success in the selection procedure not only to his qualifications and experience, but also to his communication skills and personal qualities.

“I have always been full of enthusiasm for the impressive productions and the combination of art and technology on the lake stage at the Bregenz Festival,” Matthias Schneider said. “I’m looking forward to returning to the region where I grew up for my new responsibilities at this modern congress centre, and to working for the Festspielhaus Bregenz and the Bregenz Festival alongside a motivated, experienced team.”

Two businesses, multiple responsibilities
The post of technical director at the Festspielhaus Bregenz comprises two different and demanding sets of responsibilities which are carried out by the same person: first, the Bregenz Festival with the unique challenges of the lake stage and second, the year-round operation of the convention centre with its high concentration of events.

“This combination demands a high level of professional expertise as well as organisational skill and flexibility. We are delighted to have Matthias Schneider as the new technical director for both businesses,” says Gerhard Stübe, executive director of the Festspielhaus Bregenz.

The opera on the lake stage, in particular, presents the technical team with extraordinary challenges on every new production. What audiences see there during the festival, which lasts a little under five weeks, is the result of years of planning and preparation. As the festival’s artistic director, Lilli Paasikivi, points out: “The often daring ideas thought up by our creative teams mean that, again and again, new technical solutions have to be found, developed and tested as prototypes. That requires not only technical know-how but also creativity, open-mindedness and a willingness to explore new paths. I am looking forward to working with Matthias Schneider.”

Over eleven years in Bregenz
Wolfgang Urstadt took over as technical director of the Festspielhaus Bregenz and the Bregenz Festival in June 2015. Before then, Urstadt, who was born in 1966, had worked at theatres such as Staatstheater Darmstadt, Schauspielhaus Graz and most recently as technical director at Oper Graz, to which he now returns.

His over-eleven-year-long tenure has seen such varied and technically demanding productions on the lake stage as Carmen, Rigoletto and La traviata. In addition to that, major construction projects carried out during these years include renovation of the open-air seating area for the lake stage in 2022/23, replacement of its concrete core in 2023/24, and the construction of a multi-purpose building accommodating an assembly hall and workshops from 2023 to 2025.

“We regret that he is leaving after so many years together. Wolfgang Urstadt has played a central part in the technical development of both organisations. We thank him for his great commitment and the good working relationship, and wish him all the best for his return to Graz,” says Michael Diem, commercial director of the Bregenz Festival.

(bk/gs)