Opera withdrawn over Islamist threat

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Indignation erupted across Germany’s political spectrum on Tuesday after a renowned opera house said it had dropped a controversial production of Mozart’s Idomeneo from its programme because it feared becoming a target of Islamist extremists.

Wolfgang Schäuble, interior minister, attacked the decision by Berlin’s Deutsche Oper not to show the 200-year-old work as “crazy”, “ridiculous” and “unacceptable”.

Bernd Neumann, culture minister, said it showed “the democratic culture of free speech is in danger”.

[...]

The cancellation was prompted by concerns that a scene in which Mohammed’s severed head is brandished on stage could be viewed as blasphemous.

[...]

Muslim groups seemed unsure whether to welcome or deplore the decision. Ali Kizilkaya, chairman of the Islamic Council, praised it as responsible.

But Kenan Kolat, head of the Turkish Community, said “one should never give in to threats”.

[...]

At a hastily convened press conference on Tuesday, Kirsten Harms, the Oper’s artistic director, defended the cancellation of the 1781 opera, one of Mozart’s more sombre and experimental works, saying it was based on a warning about “unspecified threats” from the Berlin police.

Deutsche Oper’s production ends with Cretan king Idomeneo carrying the severed heads of Neptune, Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed.

The scene, added to the script by director Hans Neuenfels, is meant to symbolise the king’s estrangement from religion after he reneges on a vow to the gods, and was roundly booed at its Berlin premiere in 2003.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/8e25081c-4d7b-11db...00779e2340.html

[Mirorgate 0]

Sad. What's next? "A Christmas Story" not aired because someone might get offended?

damn.. just ridiculous.

[incanada1234 0]

Thought it said OPRAH withdrawn over Islamist threat. Gotta slow down on my reading.

[homesick_american 1]

Unfortunately, this is the world we're living in.

When things like this happen, it's a victory for the terrorists. Let's not be complete pussies, eh?

[peejay 327]

Get rid of the Islamic extremists instead of the opera. They should be canceled! First Londonstan and now Berlinstan. Where will it end?

[dani_christine 0]

Bernd Neumann, culture minister, said it showed “the democratic culture of free speech is in danger”.

[homesick_american 1]

I'm so tired of Londinistan and Britainistan that I could puke.

[Marilyn. 340]

Thought it said OPRAH withdrawn over Islamist threat. Gotta slow down on my reading.

and at first I thought it was talking about Opera, the internet browser

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Opera is a specifically western art form, and a dying one at that. You would think that it would be too "high culture" for Jihadists. They object to things based on the word of others, not because they've actually seen/experienced the thing that they're objecting to.

[Heracles 417]

Get rid of the Islamic extremists instead of the opera. They should be canceled! First Londonstan and now Berlinstan. Where will it end?

This is one of the smartest opinions I have ever heard in this forum.

That is get rid of the bad guys rather than punish everybody else..

I'm so tired of Londinistan and Britainistan that I could puke.

How about Paristan??

Maybe this is why Europe does not like the US's approach to dealing with reality. That is the head on approach..

There are numerous growing 'no go islamic zones' in various European cities like Paris. Basically they have suceeded in enforcing Sharia Law and bypassing the countries Law.. Setting up their own Israel so it speak..

[Alex+R 0]

Opera is a specifically western art form, and a dying one at that.

No! No it's not! Don't say that!

[Scott & Lai 12]

Wonder why they are not concerned about attacks from Christian or Buddhist extremists?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Wonder why they are not concerned about attacks from Christian or Buddhist extremists?

Or just people who hate Opera. There's quite a few of those btw

[Mirorgate 0]

Opera is a specifically western art form, and a dying one at that.

No! No it's not! Don't say that!

Indeed. I had Phantom of the Opera on tape... need to replace that to DvD

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Opera is gay.