Black Humour as an Antidote to Egocentricity

What stops us from being happy? In an individualistic and egotistical society, our life, or that of a cultural events organiser, is a profession of banalities and obstacles, where an unexpected accident leads to a blackout; and from there, to the pschiatrist’s consulting room.

A comedy of black humour, Je suis narcissiste, premiered in 2019, looks to the tradition of “opera buffa”, to tell us a very contemporary story of loneliness, egocentricities and superficial relationships in which many of the spectators will, more or less, recognise themselves.

Humour and passion to invoke our exacerbated individualism, Je suis narcissiste is also impressive because it brings together the talent of three women: composer Raquel García-Tomás, author of the libreto Helena Tornero and Stage producer Marta Pazos. Furthemore, they have dared to tear down the wall of masculinity which has always surrounded opera, a genre dominated by men; with a hilariously entertaining and intelligent farse.

In collaboration with the Teatro Lope de Vega, the Maestranza presents the work –postponed during the pandemic- which catapulted Raquel García-Tomás to fame and the National Prize for Music (Premio Nacional de Música) awarded to her in 2020 for “her capacity to connect with the larger audience” in this “innovative work”.

Libretto by Helena Tornero. Premiere at the Teatro Español of Madrid 6 March 2019.

PREMIERE AT THE TEATRO LOPE DE VEGA