Tenor is lowered as opera buffs resort to punches
   By Michael Leidig in Vienna / The Telegraph / 1-4-03

   Stressed patrons of Vienna's State Opera, the jewel in the
   cultural crown of a city that claims to be Europe's musical
   capital, are resorting to violence usually confined to productions
   of Tristan und Isolde.

   Police have had to step in after arguments over stolen seats
   exploded into fisticuffs. Other causes of conflict include
   bouffant hair styles that block people's views and ringing mobile
   phones.

   A police spokesman told the Kurier newspaper: "It is becoming
   increasingly brutal.  In the past few months we have had to
   intervene more and more.  Before Christmas it was particularly
   bad."  ...

   http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2003%2F01%2F04%2Fwopera04.xml

Janos Gereben/SF
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