The courtyard of the Crusader Fortress in Acco was the impressive venue for the Israel Opera Festival's performance of Don Giovanni this month. Shortly into the first act, Donna Anna rushes in to find her father murdered by her would-be seducer, the serial womaniser Don G.

But at that dramatic point the orchestra downed instruments, the performers fell silent and all was still except from some puzzled audience members. Across the courtyard came the unmistakable and unMozartean call to prayer from the neighbouring mosque. When the muezzin stopped five minutes later, the audience applauded and the opera resumed. Warning of the pause had been given in Hebrew before the start - but not in English.