British-Russian composer Elena Langer mocks and questions our obsession with celebrity – and shows how we should embrace the chaotic, gruesome, joyful and beautiful life.

Originally commissioned by the Stanislavski-Nemirovich-Danchenko Theatre in Moscow, this opera was cancelled after the invasion of Ukraine. The piece was deemed insufficiently patriotic. The Reisopera is proud to be able to give this exceptional new opera its world premiere after all.

The existential angst of main character Semyón Podsekayev drives him to suicide, but he hopes that playing the tuba will save him. This fails miserably. At that very moment, several characters appear who want to use Semyón's possible suicide for their own gain. One of these characters is TV presenter Ivan Vane. In the second act, we see the reality show The Naked Truth, in which Semyón's desire to commit suicide – and everyone's desire to profit financially from it – becomes a public game.

Elena Langer is a prolific composer of colourful, dramatic and often humorous music, known for her operas, vocal works and orchestral pieces.