Lipton, Martha

American mezzo-soprano.

From the description of Interview conducted by Oliver Daniel, Oct. 20, 1977 [sound recording]. (University of Pennsylvania Library). WorldCat record id: 155862492

Born in New York City on April 6, 1913, Martha Lipton went on to win a scholarship to the Julliard School, graduating in 1942 and the following year becoming an Honorary Member of Delta Omicron, a worldwide music fraternity at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. In 1944 she made her debut with the New York Opera Company and went on to also perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera. Her 401st and last performance with the Met was in 1961. During her career Lipton performed three dozen roles in four languages. She also sang under famous conductors such as Bruno Walter, Leonard Bernstein, and Leopold Stowkowski.

Lipton came to Indiana University as a professor of voice in 1960 where she also performed in many IU opera productions. The most notable being Puccini’s “Aida” in which she played the role of Amneris in IU's outdoor stage production at Memorial Stadium in July and August of 1963. While she officially retired from teaching in 1983 with the rank of professor emeritus, she continued to teach part-time until her death on November 28, 2006.

From the guide to the Martha Lipton papers, 1939-1987, bulk 1939-1977, (Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives)