Beyond the binary

For many artists there are barriers that go much deeper than the gender binary, but how can we ensure people of every gender have real access and are genuinely welcomed in the opera world? Trailblazing American baritone Lucia Lucas reveals the highs and lows of inhabiting a role close to her heart; Lili Elbe at the Theater St. Gallen, about the eponymous painter who was the first person to have gender confirmation surgery in the 1930s. Meanwhile, Spanish director, designer and visual artist Marta Pazos explores the world of intersexuality through her production of Alexina B at the Gran Teatre del Liceu In Barcelona; she shares how she brought the story of Herculine Barbin vividly to life.

Additional voiceovers by Celia Grau

Translation supervised by Joan Soley

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Watch now on Opera Vision

Lili Elbe by composer Tobias Picker & librettist Aryeh Lev Stollman

Oper Frankfurt documentary From Studio to Stage

Il Viaggio a Reims (Rossini), Rossini Opera Festival Accademia Rossiniana

Masterclass with Sarah Connolly

More here about Alexina B

Music extracts

Introduction and closing from Die Entführung aus dem Serail (Mozart): Overture

All other extracts from Lili Elbe Theater St. Gallen featuring baritone Lucia Lucas, soprano Sylvia D'Eramo and bass Msimelelo Mbali