On August 1, 2026, Santa Fe Opera’s 2026 Season culminates with the American premiere of “Lili Elbe,” a two-act opera based on the true story of Lili Elbe, one of the first individuals to undergo gender affirmation surgery in the early 20th century with the support of her wife, artist Gerda Wegener.

The opera is composed by  Grammy Award-winning composer Tobias Picker with a libretto by Aryeh Lev Stollman.

The opera will star baritone and former Apprentice Singer Lucia Lucas in the title role alongside Sylvia D’Eramo, Lindsay Ammann, Josh Lovell, Andrew Harris, and Deanna Ray Eberhart, among others. Roberto Kalb conducts the new production by James Robinson.

In conjunction with the American premiere of “Lili Elbe,” the Santa Fe Opera will present “Transformative Voices,” a series of conversations, performances and film screenings in Santa Fe and Albuquerque throughout July exploring themes of identity, artistry, history and representation in partnership with the Lensic Performing Arts Center, Center for Contemporary Arts, CHATTER, Guild Cinema and Jean Cocteau Cinema.

“Lili Elbe” runs through August 27, 2026.

Read Related Stories 

• Opera Profile: Tobias Picker’s ‘Lili Elbe’
• Q & A: Lucia Lucas & Tobias Picker on Creating ‘Lili Elbe’