mediawatchwatch.org.uk

The Deutsche Oper in Berlin last night showed the controversial production of Mozart’s Idomeneo which features the severed heads of Jesus, Mohammed, and Buddha in the final scene.

The opera had previously been cancelled for fear of offending over-sensitive types, who it was thought might have reacted with bloody violence to the portrayal of their 7th century hero sans corps. But, whether due to religious indifference or to the massive security operation which involved airport-style checks and plain-clothes police, the show passed peacefully.

The Times reports, however, that the leading tenor “appeared to be wearing a bulletproof vest”.