Odd Timing: Israeli Orchestra Performing Wagner in Germany

After the slaughter of scores of innocents by a deranged, self-proclaimed anti-Muslim, pro-Israel (though I view him as anti-Israel) Christian right winger Anders Behring Breivik in Norway, the timing of this news at JTA is just weird, though I realize unintended:

The Israel Chamber Orchestra plans to perform a composition by Richard Wagner in Germany, breaking an Israel taboo against playing the anti-Semitic composer's music.

The ensemble will play "Siegfried's Idyll" in the Bavarian town of Bayreuth at an annual festival devoted to Wagner's work. Wagner, who lived from 1813 to 1883, is buried in Bayreuth, where festivals celebrating his operas have long been held.

Since its founding, Israel has had an unofficial ban against playing music by Wagner, whose anti-Semitism was public. His music and writings were long admired by Hitler and featured in Nazi propaganda.

Back to the future.

(h/t Jim Lobe)