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A Mozart opera cancelled because of fears it could provoke violent protests from Muslims could be back on the stage here in December providing security can be guaranteed, the opera house said on Wednesday.
"The opera could be restored to the programme if we get guarantees about security," said a spokesman for the Deutsche Oper.
The earliest that the production of "Idomeneo" could be put back on is December, he added.
The tragedy set in ancient Crete was removed from Deutsche Oper's November schedule after police warned it could spark violent reactions from Muslims.
Director Hans Neuenfels's staging, featuring a bloody climax in which King Idomeneo places the severed heads of Poseidon, Jesus, Buddha and Mohammed on four chairs, provoked an outraged reaction from the audience when it premiered in December 2003.
The opera house said it had taken its decision to pull the performance off its schedule after receiving advice from the police, but it has been widely criticised for giving in to religious extremists.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday that "when it comes to freedom of expression, there is no discussion to be had... there can be no compromise."
aue/gj/wdb
AFPEntertainment-Germany-religion-Islam
AFP 041030 GMT 10 06
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