David Lang's letter  to a friendwas commissioned by the Japan Society in New York and the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan center in Japan, and was inspired by the famous letter from short story writer Ryunosuke Akutagawa to a fellow writer, in which he announced his intention to end his life.

The work, conceived as a chamber opera for solo singer and string quartet, is also the perfect vehicle for singerTheo Bleckmann, who in collaboration with the inimitableAttacca Quartetbrings a profound emotional depth to his performance. The result is a stunning and moving monodrama that explores our eternal human fascination with love, death, family, and the ghosts of our everyday existence.