Idomeneo returns
Following widespread criticism over their decision to cancel a production of Idomeneo over fears of protests, the Deutsche Oper has announced that the opera will now be staged in Berlin.
Four performances were dropped in September following a security assesment that described the risks of staging the opera as incalculable”. This decision sparked debate in Germany about free speech, with Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble calling the decision crazy and Chancellor Angela Merkel warning against “self-censorship out of fear”.
On Thursday, the police told the opera company that its staff faced “no concrete danger” if the performances went ahead, and would discuss any possible security measures ahead of the performances.
Deutsche Opera issued a statement saying it “had begun without delay the relevant preparations for reviving the opera”.
The production includes a scene - added by director Hans Neuenfels as a protest against organies religion - in which the severed heads of Muhammad, Bhudda, Jesus and Greek sea god Poseidon are presented by the king.
Kirsten Harms, director of the opera house, had originally refused to go ahead with the production citing security risks in the wake of the furore over the Jyllands-Posten Muhammed cartoons.
Monday 30 Oct 2006 | Paul | Germany
