Berlin's Deutsche Oper has dropped a planned November revival of Mozart's Idomeneo, citing warnings from authorities that the production could pose a serious security risk. The opera house confirmed the cancellation in a statement issued Monday.
The staging, directed by Hans Neuenfels, was first performed in December 2003 and drew protests from audiences at the time. It features a scene in which the title king displays the severed heads of Poseidon, Jesus, Buddha, and the Prophet Mohammed on chairs. German critics had characterized the production as a sharp provocation aimed at organized religion and religious conflict.
Musical director Kirsten Harms said the decision was taken to protect audiences and staff from any danger that could stem from violent demonstrations.
The cancellation comes amid heightened tensions between the West and the Muslim world. Pope Benedict XVI recently angered many Muslims during a visit to Germany by citing a medieval text that disparaged some teachings of the Prophet Mohammed. Earlier, a Danish newspaper's publication of 12 caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed in September 2005 triggered widespread outrage. Islamic tradition regards visual depictions of the Prophet as blasphemous.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in September 2006, in its own words.