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Church not satisfied with changes in controversial opera

NOVOSIBIRSK METROPOLIA INSISTS ON REMOVAL OF "TANNHAUSER" FROM REPERTOIRE OF THEATRE

Interfax-Religiia, 20 March 2015

 

Removal of the controversial poster from the production of the opera "Tannhauser" in the Novosibirsk opera theatre has not settled the conflict situation, the Novosibirsk metropolia declared on Friday.

 

"We urge the leadership of the Novosibirsk State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet to completely eliminate the indicated variation of the provocative opera from the theatre's repertoire," the statement says.

 

It notes that during the presentations of 20 and 22 December 2014 there was a poster with an image of the crucified Christ against a background of a naked woman.

 

"An attempt has been made through news media to impose the idea that the 'conflict' will be eliminated after the above mentioned poster is removed from the production. We call attention to the fact that Orthodox Novosiberians and residents of other regions who support them cannot and will not agree to the presentation in such a form of the image of Jesus Christ—the founder of the Orthodox Church—in the Novosibirsk variation of the opera 'Tannhauser,'" the report says.

 

In the opinion of the metropolia, the theatre's actions contain the substance of part 1, article 148 of the Criminal Code (public actions expressing clear disrespect for society and performed for the purpose of offending religious feelings of believers).

 

"Law enforcement agencies and the court should provide an assessment of this," the statement emphasizes. (tr. by PDS, posted 20 March 2015)


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