The title character is a libidinous figure endowed with magical powers, and the songs of the opera follow him on a series of adventures, many of them involving the pursuit of various females, including a female lion, a young girl, and a grandmother "in the beautiful autumn of life."

In the recording sessions we also used Arto Lindsay and his brother Duncan on garbage lid percussion for a samba takeoff.

Sumner played guitar and piano, Don bass clarinet and I managed to get in trumpet, trombone, baritone horn and tuba.

We recorded it in NY at Sear Sound, an all vacuum tube studio later popularized by Sonic Youth.

"Glenn Kenny of Trouser Press wrote of John Gavanti: "Some have called this the most unlistenable record ever made, and that's a fine invitation indeed."