Rihm wrote the libretto, based on Nietzsche's late work, which he fragmented and arranged in a different order.

[2] Rihm said in an interview that opera needed more Magic Flute, "mehr Machwerk" (More action), citing the opening scene with three ladies coming to the rescue of the prince attacked by a snake.

Rihm said that opera finds its potential in situations that are not ordinary ("... findet ihre Möglichkeiten in Situationen, die nicht alltäglich sind").

Johannes Martin Kränzle performed the title role (N.), with Mojca Erdmann, Elin Rombo and Matthias Klink [de] in leading roles, the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and the Vienna State Opera Chorus [de], conducted by Metzmacher and staged by Pierre Audi.

[6] A review of the premiere in Opernwelt notes the overwhelming echos of late-romantic sensuality of sound (überbordender "Nachhall spätromantischer Klangsinnlichkeit"), reminiscent of Richard Strauss and Johannes Brahms.