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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