ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION - GADDAFI: THE OPERA

A controversial opera about Libyan leader COLONEL MUAMMAR GADDAFI is to open in London this September (06), sparking concerns of public safety and racial tension. GADDAFI portrays its subject's most controversial moments on the world stage - including the US attacks on Libya in 1986 and the Lockerbie disaster of 1988 - and features Asian beats and rap in place of arias and romance. It will be shown at the English National Opera in the British capital. British band ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION have written the music for the production and are under attack for provocative lyrics such as: "Guns are beauty. With them you are angels of revolutionary purity." But frontman STEVE CHANDRA SAVALE defends his work and says, "Some might say it's insane, but I like that. I don't see that as a negative thing." Director DAVID FREEMAN also defends the opera, saying, "He (Gaddafi) has done many positive things within Libya as well as some negative ones. I think it's a provocation, and I think that's one of the things that art should do."