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| Nazi-themed Wagner opera cancelled in Dusseldorf | Nazi-themed Wagner opera cancelled in Dusseldorf |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A controversial production of a Wagner opera at one of the major German opera houses has been cancelled because of harrowing scenes involving Nazis. | A controversial production of a Wagner opera at one of the major German opera houses has been cancelled because of harrowing scenes involving Nazis. |
| The Rheinoper, based in Dusseldorf, said some of the audience had to seek medical help following early performances of Tannhauser. | The Rheinoper, based in Dusseldorf, said some of the audience had to seek medical help following early performances of Tannhauser. |
| But the producer "refused" to tone down the staging, set in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. | But the producer "refused" to tone down the staging, set in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. |
| The production has now been cancelled with only concert performances planned. | The production has now been cancelled with only concert performances planned. |
| "After considering all the arguments, we have come to the conclusion that we cannot justify such an extreme impact of our artistic work," said a statement from Deutsche Oper am Rhein. | "After considering all the arguments, we have come to the conclusion that we cannot justify such an extreme impact of our artistic work," said a statement from Deutsche Oper am Rhein. |
| "With paramount concern, we note that some scenes (especially the shooting scene) were depicted very realistically," the statement continued, causing "psychological and physical stress" to some audience members. | "With paramount concern, we note that some scenes (especially the shooting scene) were depicted very realistically," the statement continued, causing "psychological and physical stress" to some audience members. |
| Despite "intensive conversation" with German theatre director and actor Burkhard C Kosminski about possible changes to the production, "he refused to do this for artistic reasons", according to the statement. | Despite "intensive conversation" with German theatre director and actor Burkhard C Kosminski about possible changes to the production, "he refused to do this for artistic reasons", according to the statement. |
| "Of course, we have to respect - and also for legal reasons - the artistic freedom of the director," the opera house said. | "Of course, we have to respect - and also for legal reasons - the artistic freedom of the director," the opera house said. |
| Management at the Rheinoper said they were aware that the "concept and implementation" of the Kosminski's production would be "controversial". | |
| The production, which opened last weekend, provoked "violent protests" on its opening night, according to local newspaper reports. | The production, which opened last weekend, provoked "violent protests" on its opening night, according to local newspaper reports. |
| Head of Dusseldorf's Jewish community Michael Szentei-Heise told the Associated Press news agency: "Members of the audience booed and banged the doors when they left the opera house in protest". | |
| He called the adaptation "tasteless and not legitimate". | |
| The original Tannhauser, set in Germany in the Middle Ages, was first performed in Dresden in 1845. | The original Tannhauser, set in Germany in the Middle Ages, was first performed in Dresden in 1845. |
| It was based on a traditional ballad about the bard Tannhauser and features a singing contest at the Wartburg Castle. | It was based on a traditional ballad about the bard Tannhauser and features a singing contest at the Wartburg Castle. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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