LILI ELBE | CULTURAL ATTACHE - REVIEW

New in Music This Week: July 31st

OPERA: LILI ELBE – Tobias Picker / Aryeh Lev Stollman / Lucia Lucas / Sylvia D’Eramo / Mack Wolz / Theo Imart / Brian Michael Moore / Sinfonieorchester St. Gallen / Choir Des Theaters St. Gallen / Modestas Pitrénas– Bright Shiny Things

If you read my preview of the Santa Fe Opera season, I indicated that the US premiere of composer Picker’s Lili Elbe was the one opera I was most interested in seeing.

Thanks to this wonderful recording, I know now what I’m missing. A lot!

Painter Einar Wegener, a Danish painter, poses in a dress as Anna Larsen for his wife, Gerda who is also an artist. Something happens during those sessions and Einar realizes another side to his personality as Lili.

Lili Elbe becomes the chosen identity  with the full support of Gerda. Ultimately Lili undergoes gender affirmation surgery – one of the first ever performed. She becomes legally recognized by the King of Denmark. Wanting to fully realize her identity as a woman, Lili tries a very experimental surgery but complications ensure and she passes away. But not before she and Gerda, since divorced, acknowledge their undying love for each other.

Baritone Lucia Lucas sings the role of Lile Elbe and soprano Sylvia D’Eramo sings the role of Gerda. Lucas is a transgender singer playing a transgender character. Both sing brilliantly on Lili Elbe.

This cast gave the world of Picker’s opera in 2023 at Theater St. Gallen in Switzerland in 2023. The recording was made just before the premiere on October 23rd.  

I’ve listened to Lili Elbe a few times since I was first given the opportunity a few weeks ago. That it lingers in my heart and mind so strongly and that I keep wanting to listen to it makes it this week’s Top Pick.

Just before publishing this, I found a link to watch the opera. You can find it HERE.