Dale Lipschultz

It may be a toss-up which Opera Steamboat board member has seen more operas in a lifetime—since passion for the art form is part of the gig!  But Dale and husband Art are top contenders. In 1954, when the Chicago Lyric Opera was founded, Art’s parents were among the earliest patrons. Today, Dale and Art sit in exactly the same seats to enjoy Lyric’s current performances.

In fact, it was opera that brought Dale and Art together.

“For our first date, a blind date set up by family friends, Art invited me to see Die Fledermaus at the St. Paul/Minneapolis Zoo. Sadly, all I can recall from that event were the vicious swarms of mosquitos!”

Their love of opera has persisted. In 2003, Dale was a founding board member of Emerald City Opera, now Opera Steamboat.

Professionally, Dale served as the Literary Officer at the American Library Association. Her career focused on children’s literacy development and adult literacy. Working with children has always been a passion for Dale and one of the talents she brings to Opera Steamboat. During the 2019 Summer Festival, Routt County children came to the Bud Werner Memorial Library to hear Dale read Hansel and Gretel, which was Opera Steamboat’s family-friendly production for that summer. While children heard the fairytale, their parents learned about Opera Steamboat.

“When I was very young, my grandmother took me see a performance of Barber of Seville, performed by marionettes, at the Kungsholm Puppet Theater in Chicago. It’s a wonderful memory!”

Dale’s most memorable operatic experience was attending Wagner’s Ring Cycle. “It isn’t the easiest experience…since it takes place over 4 nights and a total of 17 hours, but you’re immersed and transported by the grandeur of the music. I can’t wait to do it again.”

When not listening to opera, Dale and Art enjoy gardening, entertaining, hiking, and spending time with their son and his family.