Opera featuring Mohammed's head may take place after German leader intervenes

Germany's conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday led political and arts world uproar at the scrapping of a Mozart opera that features the head of the prophet Mohammed rolling across the stage.

The performances were cancelled amid fears the scene could trigger violence among the nation’s Muslim community.

But Mrs Merkel denounced "self-censorship out of fear" as unacceptable, reflecting a mood of national indignation that was not limited to the arts set but cut right across all social lines.

And last night there were hopes that increased government pressure might get the show put back on.

A groundbreaking "integration" summit between government ministers and leaders of Germany's three million Muslims held yesterday could lead to the production being staged at a later date.

Interior minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said all present had agreed that the shelved opera "Idomeneo” should go ahead - and they might even all go together to see it.

At the Deutsche Oper in Berlin a spokesman said the company was considering developments. Hours before Schaeuble’s statement the gulf between western liberalism and Islamic intransigence appeared as wide as ever as the leader of Germany's Islamic Council welcomed the ban, saying a depiction of Mohammed with a severed head "could certainly offend Muslims."

The Deutsche Oper announced on Tuesday that it had scratched the Mozart opera "Idomeneo" from its programme this season because one scene – the severed head of the prophet Mohammed rolling on to the stage – risked triggering an "incalculable security risk" for the theatre.

It feared the kind of violent outbursts that erupted earlier this month when the Pope offended Muslims in a speech which quoted a medieval writer's view of Islam as "evil and inhuman."

His words led to worldwide protests and a nun was shot dead in Somalia. "To avoid endangering the public and its employees, the Deutsche Oper in Berlin has decided to refrain from showing 'Idomeneo' in November," the opera house said.

As early as July, police officials had warned of the security risk associated with the opera. A risk analysis was prepared, which formed the basis of the opera house's decision to cancel "Idomeneo."

"We have advised that a performance could result in disturbances," said police spokesman Bernhard Schodrowski.

In the epilogue, Idomeneo, the king of Crete, comes on stage with a bloody sack in his hand. He then pulls the heads of Poseidon, Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed out of the sack and places them triumphantly on four chairs. The opera, set in the capital of Crete just after the Trojan War, addresses human resistance to making sacrifices to the gods. Mozart's original version premiered in 1781.

Four performances were planned for the production in November but will be replaced by "The Marriage of Figaro" and "La Traviata." The country’s artistic and cultural elite are outraged – along with ordinary people who feel minority sensibilities should not interfere with a cultural icon as big as Mozart.

They are emotions shared by Mrs. Merkel on the day of Germany’s first government-sponsored summit about the country’s three million Muslims and their integration.

"We must be careful that we do not flinch out of fear of radicals who are prepared to use violence," she said. "Self-censorship for reasons of fear is not acceptable. It should only be allowed when it is done responsibly within a genuine and completely violence-free dialogue of cultures."

Mr Schaeuble, ahead of yesterday’s conference aimed at bringing Muslims and Christians closer together, branded the decision to ditch the opera "crazy."

The delegates from Germany’s Muslim communities – including those from Hamburg where the Islamic cell which carried out the 9/11 atrocities was based – met with the interior minister in Berlin’s Charlottenburg Palace all day yesterday.

"Three million Muslims live in Germany. They are a part of Germany's present and future, just as Islam is, after all, a part of Europe," he said.

One of his express aims is to get imams educated in Germany and have their sermons conducted in German – a recommendation from the secret services to stop coded messages about terror being passed on to worshippers.

He said the conference was not just about "niceties," adding: "We were not here to exchange pleasantries but to achieve results."

"It would be a signal of dishonesty if there hadn't been clashes," Mr Schaeuble said, adding that the atmosphere was constructive.

"In the epilogue, Idomeneo, the king of Crete, comes on stage with a bloody sack in his hand. He then pulls the heads of Poseidon, Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed out of the sack and places them triumphantly on four chairs. The opera, set in the capital of Crete just after the Trojan War, addresses human resistance to making sacrifices to the gods. Mozart's original version premiered in 1781."

"The war was fought between the Greeks and Trojans with their allies, upon a Phrygian city of Troy (Ilium), on Asia Minor (modern Turkey). The war lasted for ten years and it has been traditionally dated from 1194 to 1184 BC"

I'm alittle confused on the supposed 'commentary' here. Maybe ze Germans could explain this... how does one reconcile pulling the heads of three people Buddha (year 623)Jesus (1st Century) and Mohammed (year 570) out of sacks around the time of the historical Trojan war about 1000+ years before they were born?

That lack of logic alone is maddening to me. "addresses human resistance to making sacrifices to the gods"....wut?

Hugh Hewitt had as a guest a professor from West Point today to discuss this. You will notice in the plot synopsis (below), no heads of Jesus, Buddha, Mohammad. This change was recently made by the director, and makes absolutely no sense. Before this change, there were no problems with the performances.

Act I
Island of Crete. Ilia, daughter of King Priam, loves Prince Idamante, son of Idomeneo, but she hesitates to acknowledge her love. Idamante frees the Trojan prisoners. He tells Ilia, who is rejecting his love, that it is not his fault that their fathers were enemies. Trojans and Cretans together welcome the return of peace, but Elettra, jealous of Ilia, does not approve of Idamante's clemency toward the enemy prisoners. Arbace, the king's confidant, brings news that Idomeneo has been lost at sea while returning to Crete. Elettra, fearing that Ilia, a Trojan, soon will be Queen of Crete, feels the furies of Hades tormenting her.

On a deserted seashore, after the shipwreck, Idomeneo recalls the vow he made to Neptune -- to sacrifice, if he arrived safe, the first living creature he meets on shore. Idamante approaches him, but because the two have not seen each other for a long time, recognition is difficult. When Idomeneo realizes the youth is his own child, he orders Idamante never to seek him out again. Grief-stricken by his father's rejection, Idamante runs off. Cretan troops disembarking from Idomeneo's ship are met by their wives, and all praise Neptune.

Act II
At the king's palace, Idomeneo seeks counsel from Arbace, who says another victim could be sacrificed if Idamante were sent into exile. Idomeneo orders his son to escort Elettra to her home, Argos. Idomeneo's kind words to Ilia move her to declare that since she has lost everything, he will be her father and Crete her country. As she leaves, Idomeneo realizes that sending Idamante into exile has cost Ilia her happiness as well as his own. Elettra welcomes the idea of going to Argos with Idamante.

At the port of Sidon, Idomeneo bids his son farewell and urges him to learn the art of ruling while he is away. Before the ship can sail, however, a storm breaks out, and a sea serpent appears. Recognizing it as a messenger from Neptune, the king offers himself as atonement for having violated his vow to the god.

Act III
In the royal garden, Ilia asks the breezes to carry her love to Idamante, who appears, explaining that he must go to fight the serpent. When he says he may as well die as suffer the torments of his rejected love, Ilia confesses her love. They are surprised by Elettra and Idomeneo. When Idamante asks his father why he sends him away, Idomeneo can only reply that the youth must leave. Ilia asks for consolation from Elettra, who is preoccupied with revenge. Arbace comes with news that the people, led by the High Priest of Neptune, are clamoring for Idomeneo. The High Priest tells the king of the destruction caused by Neptune's monster, urging Idomeneo to reveal the name of the person whose sacrifice is demanded by the god. When the king confesses that his own son is the victim, the populace is horrified.

Outside the temple, the king and High Priest join with Neptune's priests in prayer that the god may be appeased. Arbace brings news that Idamante has killed the monster. As Idomeneo fears new reprisals from Neptune, Idamante enters in sacrificial robes, saying he understands his father's torment and is ready to die. After an agonizing farewell, Idomeneo is about to sacrifice his son when Ilia intervenes, offering her own life instead. The Voice of Neptune is heard. Idomeneo must yield the throne to Ilia and Idamante. Everyone is relieved except Elettra, who longs for her own death. Idomeneo presents Idamante and his bride as the new rulers. The people call upon the god of love and marriage to bless the royal pair and bring peace.

He then pulls the heads of Poseidon, Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed out of the sack and places them triumphantly on four chairs.

The performances were canceled amid fears the scene could trigger violence among the nation’s Muslim community.

Hmmmm....interesting, isn't it, that they aren't concerned about the Christians or Buddhists (or surfers)?

But Mrs Merkel denounced "self-censorship out of fear" as unacceptable, reflecting a mood of national indignation that was not limited to the arts set but cut right across all social lines.

WOW, a leader with courage and backbone...the show must go on.

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