Larger Than Life Absurdities
What could conceivably be construed as a larger-than-life absurd scenario? Opera, that's what. In opera, despite the divine music, scenes are set and protagonists envisioned in a manner that holds up a mirror of absurdity to the spectacle of human emotions. Everything is overwrought, boldly and hysterically showcased. The sensibilities and sensitivities, along with sensational proclivities geared by human emotions are writ large and even then emphasized even more.Despite which, people who appreciate the divine arts of music, comedy, drama and visually-staged splendour flock to take part as viewers of the operatic productions proudly mounted in every civilized country of the world. Western culture in particular loves its operatic performances and productions and lauds the stars of the operatic stage - and justly.
Combine the sublime music of Wolfgang Amadaeus Mozart with the usual absurdity of plots outlining human emotions at their height and you have a formula for success. Opera lovers fawn over the music, the stars, the productions. Where else do you have the elite of society turn out bedecked in glitter and glamour to be part of the inestimable scene of High Culture?
Now we have a situation where religious zealots take such enormous exception to any perceived slight to their religion and their god and their emissary from on high that they will go to great heights of yes, absurd and angry demonstrations to indicate their displeasure. Displeasure tinged with more than a hint of ignorance, implied violence and threat.
Which saw the Deutsche Oper retract its planned staging of Mozart's Idomeneo over concern that the launching of this new production would present an "incalculable security risk" as a result of the anticipated assault on Islamic sensibilities. The West has become acutely aware of late of Islamic sensibilities have we not? Rather so, in the wake of Muslim outrage over Danish cartoons, Pope Benedict XVI's statements, both of which invoked a murderous rage.
Mozart is not really the guilty party here, as it is the current rendition of his opera, directed by Hans Neuenfels that brings into play the severed heads of Jesus, Buddha and Poseidon, along with Mohammad. But freedom of speech and cutting slack for the arts isn't in the lexicon of Islamic worship. Nor is tolerance for other religions, and the gods of "infidels" as it happens, given, among other recent instances, the destruction of 50-metre-high statues of Buddha in Afghanistan which were carved over 1,500 years ago.
That said, what could conceivably be more absurd than the spectacle of a giant-sized host of religious adherents abusive of other religions' status but demanding respect for their own, and using the perpetual clout of violence to subjugate other cultures and religions to their vision of respect for their own one-and-only religion and its symbols?
Incredible.
posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, October 03, 2006
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