The Show Goes On
October 27, 2006
After a new security analysis, a Berlin opera house said it will stage the Mozart opera it originally canceled because of fears of violence over a scene featuring the severed head of the Prophet Mohammed.
The Berlin-based Deutsche Oper triggered a row last month by canceling the opera "Idomeneo" because of fears of Islamist violence over piece's final scene showing the severed heads of the Prophet Mohammed, Jesus, Buddha and the ancient Greek god Poseidon.
A tragedy set in ancient Crete, "Idomeneo" was removed from Deutsche Oper's November schedule after police warned it could pose and "incalculable" security risk and possibly spark violent reactions from Muslims.
The cancellation of four scheduled performances of "Idomeneo" by opera head Kirsten Harms in September was condemned by politicians and artists who said Germans should not bow to fears of terrorism.
German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble called the decision crazy and Chancellor Angela Merkel warned against "self-censorship out of fear."
Despite the criticism, Harms refused to put the production on again without an all-clear from police.
No danger in staging opera
After re-evaluating the situation, Berlin police on Thursday issued a statement stating that "the opera and its staff currently faced no concrete danger" if performances were held.
After receiving the police's new analysis, the Deutsche Oper announced on Friday it had begun preparations for reviving the opera.
"Those in charge of the decision over whether to stage the Mozart opera 'Idomeneo' ... have decided to aim for two performances this year," the opera house said in a statement, adding that the earliest the production could be staged was in December, though it did not mention any specific dates.
Berlin's State Culture Minister Thomas Flierl welcomed the decision. Flierl had previously called for the reinstatement of the opera because "people can't debate it unless it is being performed."
Police said they would discuss possible security measures close to the date of the new performances of "Idomeneo."
The row over "Idomeneo" coincided with a government-sponsored conference to promote dialogue with the several million Muslims in the country and came shortly after Pope Benedict XVI angered Muslim leaders during a visit to his home in Germany by referring to a medieval text linking Islam to violence.
Integration has become a priority for the government as concern grows about Islamic radicalization across Europe and the emergence of an underclass of disillusioned young Muslims, mainly Turks, in Germany.