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Scene from »Valkyrie« at the Berlin State Opera: Bunnies may continue to perform
Photo: Christophe Gateau / dpa
The Berlin State Opera can continue to bring live rabbits onto the stage for performances of the Wagner operas Rheingold and Valkyrie.
On Thursday, the administrative court rejected the urgent application from an animal protection association, which considered the use of animals to be contrary to animal protection and wanted the veterinary office to prevent this.
(VG 17 L 245/22)
In two new productions of the two operas by Richard Wagner at the Staatsoper, 20 living rabbits are on display.
They are supposed to symbolize a research laboratory in the Valhalla castle of the gods.
According to the court, the competent authority must ensure under the Animal Welfare Act that animals are not used for filming, exhibitions, advertising or similar events if this is associated with pain, suffering or damage.
In its application, however, the animal protection association had not made it sufficiently credible that this was actually the case.
Particular stress during performances »plausible«
The court emphasized that it is plausible that rabbits are exposed to particular stress during the performances given the lack of retreat options in the cages.
On the other hand, the official veterinarian of the Mitte district office considers the 15-minute stage use of the animals to be acceptable overall.
None of the performers should bump into or lean against their cages.
In addition, the volume of the music on stage is quieter than in the auditorium.
This statement by the veterinarian was "to be given special weight" in the assessment of the case.
An appeal against the decision can be lodged with the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court.
In the original, the Wagner operas resemble a zoo enclosure.
According to the libretto, the animal appearance on the stage of the work, which lasts around 16 hours in four operas, ranges from toads to forest birds, bears, several steeds and even dragons.
Director Dmitri Tcherniakov actually included more than 30 guinea pigs and rabbits in his production at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden.
After protests from the animal protection organization Peta, the State Opera reduced the number of animals involved to 20 rabbits.
lmd/AFP/dpa