Muslim anger fear halts opera

international | arts and media | other press Wednesday September 27, 2006 12:50 by pat c

This time its an German production thats at risk. Whos for supporting the right to stage Mozart productions? You dont get any Christians rioting when Salome is staged and John the Baptists head is on display. This production is non-discriminatory: it uses the severed heads not only of the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon, but also of Mohammed, Jesus and Buddha.

Full story at link.

pat c

Muslim anger fear halts opera

A leading opera house called off a production of Mozart's "Idomeneo" that features the severed head of the Prophet Mohammed, setting off a furious debate Tuesday over Islam, freedom of speech and the role of art.

The furor is the latest in Europe over religious sensitivities -- following cartoons of the prophet first published in a Danish newspaper and recent remarks by Pope Benedict XVI decrying holy war.

Kirsten Harms, director of Berlin's Deutsche Oper, announced "with great regret" that she had decided to cancel the three year old production after state security officials warned it could provoke dangerous reactions in the current politically charged climate.