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Russian culture ministry threatens controversial opera

DOCUMENT: POSITION OF THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE OF RF ON THE BASIS OF RESULTS PUBLIC HEARINGS REGARDING CONFLICT SURROUNDING OPERA "TANNHAUSER"

 

On 13 March 2015, public hearings were held in the Ministry of Culture of the RF regarding the conflict that arose in connection with the production of Wagner's opera "Tannhauser" in the Novosibirsk State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet. Participants in the discussion included representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, two working groups of the Public Council under the Russian Ministry of Culture (on matters of theatre art and on matters of state policy in the sphere of culture), experts, and leaders of cultural institutions.

 

As is known, certain elements of the production of the opera "Tannhauser" outraged the Orthodox community, which considered them offensive. This provoked social tension, expressed in a number of protest statements

 

The Russian Ministry of Culture considers the intentional or unintentional expression of disrespect for traditional values manifested by the leadership of the theatre and the director-producer unacceptable, and it points out to the director of the theatre, B.M. Mezdrich, the lack of supervision over the institution he heads.

 

Without encroaching upon freedom of creativity, we certainly consider the most daring interpretations of a theatrical classic on experimental stages to be possible. However state academic theatres should not only warn their audiences about non-standard readings of classical works but also try to explain the intent of the authors and what happens on the stage and show respect for all categories of their viewers. At the same time they should avoid productions that are capable of producing division within our multinational and multiconfessional society.

 

Unfortunately, the administration of the theatre ignored the initial protests of the public. This led to an escalation of the conflict and its transfer from the public space into judicial proceedings, which also seems to us to be useless and unconstructive.

 

The Ministry of Culture considers introducing necessary changes into the production to be proper, as well as offering public apologies to all whose religious feelings were hurt. While considering censorship impermissible, we recall our right, and even more our duty, within the framework of implementing the principles of state cultural policy, to take administrative and financial measures in extreme situations with respect to state cultural institutions, including depriving such productions of financing.

 

Because of the great number of inquiries about the sums of the financing of the production of the opera "Tannhauser" and the honoraria of the director and actors, the Russian Ministry of Culture is arranging an audit of the financial and economic activity of the Novosibirsk State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet. (tr. by PDS, posted 20 March 2015)

 

Background article:
Ecumenical agreement on dislike of modernized opera
March 17, 2015

 

Russian original posted on Portal-credo.ru, 19 March 2015


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