WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART - HUGE SECURITY OPERATION FOR BERLIN OPERA

HUGE SECURITY OPERATION FOR BERLIN OPERA

LATEST: Opera fans wishing to see the controversial Berlin production of IDOMENEO are facing tight airport-style security tonight (18DEC06) over fears of a Muslim backlash. The WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART classic was cancelled earlier this year (SEP06) after religious extremists voiced opposition to scenes featuring the severed head of the Prophet Muhammad. However, the production was reinstated following assurances from police that actors and the audience would be fully protected. Tonight's performance will see security at an all-time high as German Interior Minister WOLFGANG SCHAEUBLE is scheduled to take a seat in the box. Fans will now be electronically scanned before entering the venue and security officers will be positioned around the opera house. Police spokesman BERHARD SCHODROWSKI says, "We're ready for any eventuality."