Mozart opera passes off peacefully

A controversial Mozart opera held in Berlin went ahead as planned last night amid a heavy security presence, according to reports.

The opera Idomeneo was first performed in 1781 but was halted in September this year after protests over a scene which depicts the severed heads of the Prophet Muhammad, Jesus Christ, Buddha and the Greek god Poseidon.

Muslim tradition forbids the use of images of the prophet, demonstrated last year by the widespread protest over a selection of Danish cartoons.

However, the postponement was greeted with both agreeance and criticism, notably from Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel.

Reuters quoted her as stating: "I think the cancellation was a mistake. I think self-censorship does not help us against people who want to practise violence in the name of Islam."

The 2,000 ticket holders for last night's show were carefully screened by the authorities and had to pass through metal detectors before entering the theatre.

Many Muslim figures refused to attend, however, the head of Germany's Turkish community, Kenan Kolat, attended as a symbol of freedom of expression.

"I think it is important to set up a sign for freedom of art and that's why I'm here tonight," he told the BBC.

The opera's director, Hans Neuenfels, noted that his version was not altered in terms of staging the controversial scene.