Police Protect 'Severed Heads' Mozart Opera

December 19, 2006

Source: The Sunday News

Wire Service: Reuters

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,20951056-401,00.html#

Patrons of Berlin's Deutsche Oper were greeted by metal detectors, police and the media at an opera previously cancelled over fears Muslims might be offended by a scene featuring Prophet Mohammad's severed head.

Authorities had warned that the scene in Mozart's Idomeneo, which also includes the severed heads of Jesus, Buddha and Poseidon, could lead to violent reprisals, although Muslim groups had dismissed such fears.

A Berlin police spokesman said after Monday's performance no incidents were reported.

There was a mixed reaction to the controversial scene itself, which lasted for just over a minute and came at the very end of the opera after the music finished.

King Idomeneo arrived on stage with a bloodstained bag containing the four heads and set them out on chairs, Mohammad last of all.