Lucia Lucas: Trans opera singer featured in Opera Paralléle’s ‘Expansive’ showcase

On August 7 renowned trans baritone Lucia Lucas will appear in “Expansive: A Showcase of Transgender and Nonbinary Classical Artists.” This is the fourth annual presentation of “Expansive,” which is being presented by Opera Paralléle in collaboration with the San Francisco Transgender District in honor of Transgender History Month.

Lucas will be accompanied during the 90-minute program by pianist Taylor Chan, while San Francisco’s reigning Empress Afrika America will serve as the evening’s host.
Originally from Sacramento, Lucas has resided in Germany for the past decade. She has performed in Dublin, Amsterdam, Brussels, Berlin, Korea, London and around the United States. In 2023 Lucas created the role of “Lili Elbe” in the world premiere of Tobias Picker’s eponymous opera, which was written expressly for her. In an interview with the Bay Area Reporter Lucas spoke about her musical journey.

David-Elijah Nahmod: Please tell me about who Lili Elbe was and what this role means to you.
Lucia Lucas: Lili Elbe was one of the first people in modern history to medically transition. Our medicine has advanced so much in the last one hundred years that what her doctors were attempting is probably possible now and has been achieved with cis women. She had a series of operations and her last, which was a uterus transplant, likely killed her.

Uterus transplants are not common now, but have this century resulted in women who were born without uteruses having children. Although much of the research around modern trans medicine at the time was burned by the Nazis in 1933. Her legacy of hope of what might be possible in the future was realized less than one hundred years later.

What made you decide to settle in Germany? What is the state of trans rights and trans visibility there?
I moved to Germany for opera because there isn’t so much opera in the U.S. In Germany, there are 80 full-time theaters producing opera, and because I wasn’t one of the chosen few from the right conservatory, I needed to broaden my scope for a job. In 2009 I thankfully received an apprenticeship with Deutsche Oper Berlin and Teatro Regio Torino. The state of trans visibility and equality here in Germany used to be very similar to the US. I would say visibility is similar to the U.S., but due to the backslide regarding trans rights in the U.S. I feel safer here.

Do you ever perform other types of music besides opera?
Most of what I perform is through the lens of opera. The voice-over, film and directing opportunities have been through my opera career. I do enjoy electronic music and film music that creates a visceral mood, which are styles I create and may use in a future project. I am working on a pop album that may one day come out, but I want to make sure it’s perfect.

Can you say something about the importance of presenting a concert like “Expansive,” given the anti-trans backlash currently going on?
Presenting “Expansive” is always important. There is no backlash, there is a coordinated attack on LGBT people and the minority party has decided not to play defense.

What are some of the pieces you will perform in “Expansive” and what do these composers mean to you?
I will be performing a piece I have made inspired by Wendy Carlos. She is the composer known most notably for “A Clockwork Orange,” “The Shining,” “Tron,” and “Switched on Bach.” She is an integral part of soundtrack history and electronic music history, leading directly into the 1980s explosion of electronic music in dance and pop. Her style of world-building in soundtracks is still common place in movies. She also happens to be trans.
Verdi and Wagner are two composers who have guided my concept of what a career as an opera singer means, especially for a dramatic voice. They are quintessential to forming the building blocks of a lasting career. I know at least Wagner will be featured, but Verdi may make an appearance as well.

The music in “Expansive” is certainly eclectic, everything from Mozart to “The Rocky Horror Show.” What was the process that went into choosing the music to be performed in this concert?
We have been meeting since early this year and I wanted to make sure that this concert had various nods to the community. Obviously, Lili’s story is relevant until the world moves on to another political football, but she will always be relevant to trans people as a story of inspiration.

“Rocky Horror” was always a socially acceptable way for people to experiment with gender expression and sexuality, at least in my understanding. Midnight shows of costumes and makeup were ways to play and find out more about yourself.
I am always excited to play in the world of “Don Giovanni.” I have performed four different roles in the opera and will always be excited to be part of that dark psychological comedy/drama.

‘Expansive: A Showcase of Transgender and Nonbinary Classical Artists,’ August 7, 7:30pm, A.C.T.’s Toni Rembe Theater, 415 Geary St. $15-$100.
https://operaparallele.org/
https://www.lucialucas.com/