Berlin Opera Pulls a Production Over a Scene Involving Muhammad

[Croynan]

The Associated Press

Berlin opera pulled over Muhammad scene

By MELISSA EDDY, Associated Press Writer

1 hour, 21 minutes ago

A leading opera house canceled a 3-year-old production of Mozart's "Idomeneo" that included a scene showing the severed head of the Prophet Muhammad, unleashing a furious debate over free speech.

In a statement late Monday, the Deutsche Oper said it decided "with great regret" to cancel the production after Berlin security officials warned of an "incalculable risk" because of the scene.

After its premiere in 2003, the production by Hans Neuenfels drew widespread criticism over the scene in which King Idomeneo presents the severed heads not only of the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon, but also of Muhammad, Jesus and Buddha. The disputed scene is not part of Mozart's original staging of the 225-year-old opera, but was an addition of Neuenfels' production, which was last performed by the company in March 2004.

"We know the consequences of the conflict over the (Muhammad) caricatures," Deutsche Oper said its statement announcing the decision. "We believe that needs to be taken very seriously and hope for your support."

On Tuesday, Deutsche Oper director Kirsten Harms said security officials had recommended, but not ordered, that she either cut the scene or pull the entire production from the 2006-2007 lineup.

"The State Criminal Office assessed the situation and came to the conclusion that if the Deutsche Oper stages this version of Idomeneo in its originally produced form, it will pose an incalculable security risk to the public and employees," Harms told reporters.

"If I were to ignore this and say, 'We are going to stage this nevertheless, or because of this,' and something were to happen, then everyone would say, and would be right to say: 'She ignored the warning of security officials,'" Harms said.

She said she spoke at length with Neuenfels — who insisted his staging not be altered — as well as the orchestra director and others involved in the production before making her decision.

While some expressed understanding for the decision, many were outraged.

"That is crazy," Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble told reporters in Washington, where he was holding meetings with U.S. officials. "This is unacceptable."

The leader of Germany's Islamic Council welcomed the decision, saying a depiction of Muhammad with a severed head "could certainly offend Muslims."

"Nevertheless, of course I think it is horrible that one has to be afraid," Ali Kizilkaya told Berlin's Radio Multikulti. "That is not the right way to open dialogue."

Berlin Police Chief Dieter Glietsch said on rbb radio that "one can find nothing wrong if, in a climate that's already tense between Islam and the Western world, people avoid heating up the situation further through a scene that can — and perhaps even must — be taken as provocative by pious Muslims."

Berlin's mayor, Klaus Wowereit, however, said that "with all understanding for the concern about the security of spectators and performers, I consider the decision of the director to be wrong.

"Our ideas about openness, tolerance and freedom must be lived on the offensive. Voluntary self-limitation gives those who fight against our values a confirmation in advance that we will not stand behind them."

Bernd Neumann, the federal government's top cultural official, said that "problems cannot be solved by keeping silent."

"When the concern over possible protests leads to self-censorship, then the democratic culture of free speech becomes endangered."

The decision comes after the German-born Pope Benedict XVI infuriated Muslims by quoting the words of a 14th century Byzantine emperor who characterized some of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad as "evil and inhuman," particularly "his command to spread by the sword the faith."

Earlier this year, furious protests erupted after a Danish newspaper published 12 cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Those caricatures were then reprinted by dozens of newspapers and Web sites in Europe and elsewhere, often in the name of freedom of expression.

Islamic law is interpreted to forbid any depiction of Muhammad for fear it could lead to idolatry.

The leader of Germany's Turkish Community said that while he could understand how the production could be seen as offensive, he also encouraged Muslims living in the West to accept certain elements of the traditions here, noting an opera production is not equivalent to a political point of view.

"I would recommend Muslims learn to accept certain things," Kenan Kolat told the online Netzeitung newspaper. "Art must remain free."

 

[quasar]

Thanks Michael.

I fear it is only going to be a matter of time before westerners say 'enough is enough'. There is already a massive undercurrent of resentment amongst virtually everyone I know with regard to us constantly bowing down and adapting OUR thoughts, words and deeds to comply with the thoughts of a bunch of Islamic extremists. Yet again, tolerance, freedom and equality has become a one-way street and I question just who is being integrated into who's culture.

The cancellation of this production marks a sad day for culture and artistic expression and interpretation. However, I also think that that Deutsche Oper are a bunch of cowards for allowing themselves to be intimidated over this.

 

[MidnightPrism]

Well a few Christians might be up in arms over it as well. I hear they don't take it lightly when someone walks around with the severed head of Jesus.

 

[SFMusic]

Well a few Christians might be up in arms over it as well. I hear they don't take it lightly when someone walks around with the severed head of Jesus.

Yeah, but the difference is the angry Christians are not going to riot in the streets and kill innocent people because of Jesus' severed head.

 

[SFMusic]

Thanks Michael.

I fear it is only going to be a matter of time before westerners say 'enough is enough'. There is already a massive undercurrent of resentment amongst virtually everyone I know with regard to us constantly bowing down and adapting OUR thoughts, words and deeds to comply with the thoughts of a bunch of Islamic extremists. Yet again, tolerance, freedom and equality has become a one-way street and I question just who is being integrated into who's culture.

The cancellation of this production marks a sad day for culture and artistic expression and interpretation. However, I also think that that Deutsche Oper are a bunch of cowards for allowing themselves to be intimidated over this.

Easy for you to call them cowards. There is the very real danger that if the production went on that this could provoke rioting in the streets and innocent people could get killed over this.

Let's put this into perspective, The severed head of Muhammad was never part of the original story of Idomeneo or has anything to do with Mozarts music. Some stage director decided they wanted to be "artsy". It's not worth the risk. As someone who does a lot of singing on the opera/concert stage, I don't want to be put at risk because a stage director wants to add an extra bit of stage business for shock value. I think they made the right decision.

 

[quasar]

...Let's put this into perspective, The severed head of Muhammad was never part of the original story of Idomeneo or has anything to do with Mozarts music.

I noticed that, and my solution would have been to remove the scene - not cancel the whole production! So I do think they are being rather dramatic (forgive the pun) about it in that sense, but cowardly for not having the balls to stand up for artistic expression.

Some stage director decided they wanted to be "artsy".... I don't want to be put at risk because a stage director wants to add an extra bit of stage business for shock value...

And artists shouldn't be forced into a position of danger, unless they are willing to take the risk - I presume they were all okay about doing the scene.

Nevertheless, the arts (certainly in the UK) always seem to be the bastian of freedom of expression, and what many people fail to appreciate is that you cannot put restrictions on creativity - it's like saying something is 'almost unique' - the two words don't belong together!

 

[Croynan]

Thanks Michael.

I fear it is only going to be a matter of time before westerners say 'enough is enough'. There is already a massive undercurrent of resentment amongst virtually everyone I know with regard to us constantly bowing down and adapting OUR thoughts, words and deeds to comply with the thoughts of a bunch of Islamic extremists. Yet again, tolerance, freedom and equality has become a one-way street and I question just who is being integrated into who's culture.

The cancellation of this production marks a sad day for culture and artistic expression and interpretation. However, I also think that that Deutsche Oper are a bunch of cowards for allowing themselves to be intimidated over this.

I agree with you here. To what degree does the bending stop?

Interesting statistics last week, more Muslims have been /entering coming to the states then ever before. Is it culture or politics at play here? If they decide to leave their own home lands - is not the strength of the culture diluted?

The clock cannot be turned backwards - and what happens now seems to be most unsettling for almost everyone concerned.

But then again, what do I know?

eM.

 

[RationalLunacy]

Instead of cancelling the production, they should have turned the performance over to Mel Gibson. I mean, after all, the man produced a movie showing Jesus smashed to a bloody pulp, so what's another prophet to him? To Mel, prophet = profit, I suppose.

 

[looseliam]

In the great tradition of Croynan, all I have to say is

 

[slobone]

Good, I'm glad they pulled it. It has absolutely nothing to do with Mozart's opera. These egomaniac opera directors have gotten way out of hand, especially in Europe. You'd think people would be sick of these kinds of bizarre productions by now, but apparently not.

 

[Yves]

Easy for you to call them cowards. There is the very real danger that if the production went on that this could provoke rioting in the streets and innocent people could get killed over this.

Let's put this into perspective, The severed head of Muhammad was never part of the original story of Idomeneo or has anything to do with Mozarts music. Some stage director decided they wanted to be "artsy". It's not worth the risk. As someone who does a lot of singing on the opera/concert stage, I don't want to be put at risk because a stage director wants to add an extra bit of stage business for shock value. I think they made the right decision.

That´s a great point. Muhammad has never been part of the original story of Idomeneo. The original libretto is pretty standard for an opera seria: The Trojan war has ended. The victorious Greeks, among them Idomeneo, King of Crete, are on their way home after many years. Before Idomeneo's fleet reaches the shore, the ships are destroyed in a terrible storm. Idomeneo makes a bargain with Neptune, the god of the sea: in return for his life he will sacrifice the first person he meets on the shore. Naturally, he meets his son, Idamante, at the beach who is, naturally, in love with Ilias, a captive Trojan princess.... A simple alternative was to remove a scene that has nothing to do with the original libretto. It might be interesting to know the opinion of the artistic director and the original justification for the addition of Muhammad to a story set in a very different cultural environment.

What is missing in this story is the recent economic difficulties of opera houses in Berlin. Berlin's three major opera houses (Deutsches Oper, Staatsoper and Komische Oper) are in big trouble. They're all running massive deficits. Publicity is never neutral.

American media will frame this discussion in terms of limitations of free speech, but it is important to consider the local context and the search for shock value at the expense of artistic merit.

It´s tempting to judge this case using American standards but there are some differences in terms of context. Although freedom of the press and of expression is written into German law, the country is generally more wary of free speech than the US, where for example holocaust denial is perfectly legal.

Germany is not the only European country that has some limitations on free speech: Holocaust denial is a criminal offence in Germany, Italy and Austria same as with promotion of racism and homophobia in Sweden.

 

[slobone]

What is missing in this story is the recent economic difficulties of opera houses in Berlin. Berlin's three major opera houses (Deutsches Oper, Staatsoper and Komische Oper) are in big trouble. They're all running massive deficits. Publicity is never neutral.

Yeah, I've been wondering about that. I downloaded a clip of Matila and Alagna singing Don Carlo. Great singing, but it looked like it was filmed in the lobby of the opera house, the set was so minimal (and tacky).

American media will frame this discussion in terms of limitations of free speech, but it is important to consider the local context and the search for shock value at the expense of artistic merit.

It´s tempting to judge this case using American standards but there are some differences in terms of context. Although freedom of the press and of expression is written into German law, the country is generally more wary of free speech than the US, where for example holocaust denial is perfectly legal.

Germany is not the only European country that has some limitations on free speech: Holocaust denial is a criminal offence in Germany, Italy and Austria same as with promotion of racism and homophobia in Sweden.

Well, it seems like every country draws the line in a different place when it comes to freedom of expression. In the US, you can't show a naked bottom on TV, but you can deny the Holocaust to your heart's content.

It's also very hard for a "public figure" to successfully sue a publication for libel here. That's why Tom Cruise and Liberace filed their libel suits in the UK.

We do have laws against hate crimes, though. So if you beat somebody up because they're black or Jewish or something, the penalty is more severe. Doesn't apply to gay people yet, at least in most states.

 

[SFMusic]

...And artists shouldn't be forced into a position of danger, unless they are willing to take the risk - I presume they were all okay about doing the scene.

It's not that simple. For the stars of a production, they can call their own shots and walk away if they want. For the rest of us mere mortals (orchestra, chorus, stage crew, etc) we have to trust that the management will not do anything to unduly put our lives in danger. This includes everything from making sure the building is up to code to not staging productions that will fan the flames of fanatical Muslim hatred.

 

[Andreus]

perhaps we can add an effigy of mathew shepard hung on a wire fence and see how many gay protests would break out around the nation, and how many gay boycotts would happen.

perhaps we could addin a scene of jesus nailing mary magdelene in the bushes? would that be enough to cause a ruckus and a boycott?

really guys

do any of you ever really think?

and during ramadan of all times

gays boycotted american airlines last week for telling two guys to keep their hands out of each others pants during a flight.

this musical peice had been modified to have this crap in it. there is no historical reference.

what concerns me is that for the first time the east is trying to issue fatwas against terrorism and the west is trying to curb its amti muslim imagery.

why does this new era of attempting to coexist in peace terify and anger so many people?

is war and misunderstanding really the better option?

i am just

disapointed

 

[Andreus]

Yeah, but the difference is the angry Christians are not going to riot in the streets and kill innocent people because of Jesus' severed head.

why dont we try that suggestion and find out

i'd bet real money that you are quite wrong

remember the fuss over maddonna climbing up on a cross shaped disco ball? that got the pope himself riled up and it got madonna kicked out of the church

i wonder if your assumptions are correct

just stop and reconsider all the violence committed in this world in the name of christianity

how about god hates fags .com?

and the angry protests they have at war heros funerals?

and the bush admins backed regulations disalowing protests at the funerals of soldiers by ****************?

and the dead fetuses that christians throw at women on their way into clinics to get abortions? and the guy who blew up the abortion clinic? and the people who threatened to kill any doc that did an abortion? and the christian group that threatened to bomb any judge that upheld the abortion laws?

and how many more do i have to list?

 

[Andreus]

If open socities are to remain open where is that line going to be drawn?.

if you yell fire in a crowded theatre you will be arrested

that is not free speech, it is inciting a riot.

free speech does not include such things

i seriously doubt the founding fathers of america had mohammeds head on a pole in mind when they wrote the right to free speech.

they were concerned with the right to speak out against the government without fear of becoming a political prisoner, and in spite of that fact, the american government is rewriting the geneva conventions to make torture legal in america and even though the bush admin has been told by the supreme court that holding the prisoners in cuba without representation is illegal, they persist in doing so

its hard to take the high road while you are wading in the mudd.

 

[Andreus]

if the person was martin luther king jr and his head was hanging from a burning cross you would have your answer t-zero... and you know it. ther would be riots across america faster than you can slap your own ass.

this is no different.

anything else is rationalization

i am honestly concerned for america for this reason

there is an honest disconnect here

americans really dont get why the world is enraged by their behavior as of late, and when someone points out precisely why, they argue the point

well either accept the hate and rage, or become more sensitive. the theatre would have lost its money because their staging was a money losing proposition. that is the free market in action.

i am not here to say what is right or wrong

i am not here to be popular

i am just trying to get people to think about the things they are saying

 

[Andreus]

society is a collection of people, not an inanimate thing

it defines itself by the needs of the individuals considered colectively

if the producers were unwilling to spend money on a production that had no rellevance in terms of the history of the piece, then that is what makesw america happen.

when people dont want to spend money on the thing and the government doesnt either, then people can have as many ideas as they want...

just don't expect investors to pay for someone elses bad taste and culturally insensitive gestures in the name of free speech

we are discussing it

that is free speech

and that is more than enough

 

[quasar]

...In open societies if they are to remain open one must accept the fact that there will at times be specific groups that take offense but that there are other peaceful means of expression when insult or offense is taken rather than by violence or censorship and that is those ideals that underlay what makes open societies open.

Perfectly said!

why dont we try that suggestion and find out

i'd bet real money that you are quite wrong

remember the fuss over madonna climbing up on a cross shaped disco ball? that got the pope himself riled up and it got madonna kicked out of the church

Yeah, but I can't recall violent protests about it.

just stop and reconsider all the violence committed in this world in the name of christianity

how about god hates fags .com?

and the angry protests they have at war heros funerals?

and the bush admins backed regulations disalowing protests at the funerals of soldiers by ****************?

and the dead fetuses that christians throw at women on their way into clinics to get abortions? and the guy who blew up the abortion clinic? and the people who threatened to kill any doc that did an abortion? and the christian group that threatened to bomb any judge that upheld the abortion laws?

and how many more do i have to list?

But do they blow up planes, underground trains and buses?

I'm not being harsh Drew, but it's the way that I - and many 'westerners' view it. I know that muslims across the globe disagree with the extremism amongst their ranks, but their silence in condemning it comes across as condoning it. I accept that Islam isn't an 'organised' religion with a 'figurehead' who can speak on behalf of the religion, but I don't understand how the muslim community is able to come together as one to condemn 'western atrocities' but not the extremists within it's ranks.

Seriously, this is a sticking point for many, and I would love someone to explain it to me - like I'm a seven year old if necessary!

 

[quasar]

...americans really dont get why the world is enraged by their behavior as of late, and when someone points out precisely why, they argue the point

I'll agree with that!

...i am just trying to get people to think about the things they are saying

Which it what I've always enjoyed about your presence.