The Deutsche Oper Berlin said Friday it plans to stage a contentious Mozart production that was cancelled because of a scene featuring the severed heads of religious figures, including Muhammed.
The German opera house hopes to stage two performances of the controversial production of Idomeneo before the end of the year. One scene has King Idomeneo with the severed heads of Muhammed, Jesus, Buddha and Neptune, Greek god of the sea.
The company has "begun without delay the relevant preparations for reviving the opera."
Berlin police had issued a statement Thursday saying there was now "no concrete danger" if the German opera company decided to restage Idomeneo, directed by Hans Neuenfels and performed in 2003 and 2004. Neuenfels has said the scene in question represents a protest against organized religion.
In late September, the company announced it was cancelling the November performances of the 225-year-old opera scheduled because authorities warned it posed an "incalculable security risk."
When making the announcement, opera house officials cited the violent riots and protests by Muslims angered by editorial cartoons of Muhammad that were published by a Danish newspaper in late 2005 and reprinted by others.
The Deutsche Oper's decision unleashed criticism from across Germany and in other parts of Europe. The cancellation was seen as a threat to freedom of speech and a dangerous step towards self-censorship in the arts.
However, the opera company maintained its position, saying it would remount the production if Berlin police authorities could offer adequate security.
On Thursday, Berlin police said it was continuing to analyze the situation and that security measures would be discussed with opera officials closer to the actual date of the performances.
With files from the Associated PressRelated
More Music Headlines »
- Hendrix estate threatens lawsuit over song auction
- The estate of Jimi Hendrix has announced plans to contest a $15-million US sale of the guitar legend's hit songs.
- Berlin opera agrees to stage controversial Mozart production
- The Deutsche Oper Berlin said Friday it plans to stage a Mozart production that was cancelled because of a scene featuring the severed heads of religious figures, including Muhammed.
- CDs are dead: recording company CEO
- A top recording industry executive on Friday said the music CD is dead and that recording labels must become more innovative if they hope to sell the discs in the future.
- Hitmaker Dupri quits as Virgin music exec
- Amid flat sales of Janet Jackson's latest album, the singer's hit producer and boyfriend Jermaine Dupri has abruptly quit his executive post at her music label.
- Donors pledge $1.6M to help Ontario symphony
- The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony has raised $1.6 million in a community campaign that it hopes will ensure its survival.
More Arts Headlines »
- Victoria and Albert ponders leasing of paintings
- The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England, is considering a plan to lease some of its 2,000 oil paintings to raise money for acquisitions.
- TV crew fired for alleged trespassing on Pitt's property
- A producer and cameraman have been fired by E! Networks after representatives of actor Brad Pitt accused them of trespassing onto the grounds of his home in Los Angeles.
- U.S. networks reject ads for Dixie Chicks doc
- The company distributing the documentary Shut Up & Sing, about the Dixie Chicks' controversial remark against the U.S. president and his invasion of Iraq, says NBC and CW have rejected ads promoting the film.
- Mark McKinney, Corner Gas winners at comedy awards
- The TV series Corner Gas and former Kid In The Hall Mark McKinney were double winners at the 7th Annual Canadian Comedy Awards.
- Farley Mowat's adopted hometown launches festival in his honour
- The town of Port Hope, Ont., is launching a week to honour Canadian writer Farley Mowat by unveiling a monument.