Flutterby™! : Singing the Blues 2006-12-20 14:01:01.555262+00

Singing the Blues

2006-12-20 14:01:01.555262+00 by petronius 3 comments

A few weeks back the Berlin Opera decided to drop a performance of an opera by Mozart that includes a beheaded Mohammed in the final scenes. Much controversy ensued over the malicious inflouence of islamic extremists, or at least the fear therof, over Western cultural affairs. Well, they finally staged the opera, and as seen in Annie Applebaum's review, no murderous protests occured. Unfortunately, neither did any comprehension by the audience. I sometimes wonder over which is the greater danger to Western culture: Jihadis or progressive theatrical directors.

A friend of mine described an experience at some film conference in Europe, where the French and German film professors were listing their great films, wacky experimental movies that were the motion picture equivalent of Mondrian or John Cage

. And the Americans proffered up Star Wars.

Sometimes, especially in the opera world, I think stunts like this are dreamed up because if you off Mohammed and make the audience walk through metal detectors you'll get far more paying customers than if you try to sell the show on its alleged merits.

#Comment Re: made: 2006-12-20 21:56:54.379027+00 by: mvandewettering

I sometimes wonder over which is the greater danger to Western culture: Jihadis or progressive theatrical directors.

I'm not even sure it even has to be "progressive ... directors". I mean, compare the destruction wrought on our culture by Andrew Lloyd Webber to... well... anyone, actually.