Will an obsession with fame be the death of us?

For one night only, ENO welcomes a Nederlandse Reisopera and Phion Symphony Orchestra guest production for the UK premiere of this exceptional new comic opera following the world premiere in The Netherlands in April 2026.

Overview

This exuberant and subversive black farce, by British-Russian composer Elena Langer, mocks and questions our obsession with celebrity – and encourages us to embrace the highs and lows of our turbulent, gruesome, joyful and beautiful life.

Originally commissioned by the Stanislavski-Nemirovich-Danchenko Theatre in Moscow, this comic opera was cancelled after the invasion of Ukraine. The piece was deemed insufficiently patriotic.

The existential angst of Semyón Podsekayev drives him to suicide, but he hopes that playing the tuba will save him. A plan that fails miserably.

TV presenter Ivan Vane is one of several characters keen to use Semyón’s possible suicide for their own gain. In the second act, we see Vane’s 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.

Staging and score

A comic opera in two parts, by composer Elena Langer. Libretto by Arkady Zastyrets, translated into English by Maggie F. Gottlieb. Based on the play The Suicide (1928) by Nikolai Erdman.

Singers and creatives

Directing is Sam Brown, Artistic Director of the Nederlandse Reisopera, the Dutch national touring opera company and on the podium, English conductor Adrian Kelly, Artistic Director of the Buxton International Festival.

Co-produced by the Netherlands Reisopera and Phion Symphony Orchestra

This production was made possible by the generosity of The Nicholas John Trust and is dedicated to the memory of Nicholas John, Dramaturge of English National Opera, 1985-1996.