Discover The Story Of A Pioneer In New Opera, Lili Elbe

Tobias Picker and Aryeh Lev Stollman's Opera Award-winning new opera gets its North American premiere at Santa Fe, opening in August 2026! Based on the true story of a painter who became one of the first people to have gender-affirming surgery, Lili Elbe is an extraordinary and moving tale of a woman trying to find her true self in a world that didn't understand her.

What Is The Story?

Lili Elbe never felt like she fitted. Studying painting in the early 20th century, she came to realise the reason why: the world could not see her womanhood. Marrying fellow painting student Gerda and travelling across Europe, Lili finally had the chance to explore her identity more freely. And so began an incredible journey of self-discovery that would lead her to become one of the first people in history to undergo gender-affirming surgery.