Berlusconi founded his own political party in 1993

Mr Minestrone, shortened to Mr Me, is a comic opera about an egomaniac tycoon-politician - a thinly-veiled Mr Berlusconi.

In the opera, Mr Me dreams he is being attacked by several comic-strip heroes, including Superman and Tintin.

The opera's first public performance on Wednesday was watched by 300 people.

Criticism

Written in English by librettist Gianluigi Melega and composer Luca Mosca, the one-act opera features 40 musicians and singers.

Melega told BBC Radio 4's Today programme they had already been the target of criticism in the local press.

"We have been asked to change the text where it says 'Italy' to 'country'," he said.

"Our lead character is called Minestrone, and not Berlusconi, and this was done on purpose because we don't want an actual, real, political name-calling.

"We wanted to make a satire and a satire is reality distorted."

Dumbing-down

The chorus is a row of television sets all reflecting the views of their master as he battles with comic-strip heroes.

It is also seen by some as a protest against the dumbing-down of the arts in Italy.

Chris Ziegler, the German baritone who plays Mr Me, said, as a foreigner, he found it easier to play the lead part.

He said he studied video footage of Mr Berlusconi to get ideas and give the role "impact".

"As I'm not an Italian I can be a bit more outside of this, but nevertheless go into the role and sing how it is written."