Delaware Valley Opera 40th Anniversary Gala
Saturday June 6, 2026 at 6pm
$70 Presale (through May 26) Buy Now on My River Tickets
$85 at the door
Silent Auction | Historical Photo Display & Presentation
Visit the SILENT AUCTION online at BiddingOwl.com
SAVE THE DATE! Come celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Delaware Valley Opera! The company adds to the quality of life here in the Catskills with our very own local opera company. Professional productions by a member of Opera America.
Our Story
In Narrowsburg, a modest but determined idea took root - one that would grow over four decades into an organization that would become an important part of the artistic growth of Sullivan County. That grassroots effort in 1986 has resulted in a respected small professional opera company. The Delaware Valley Opera (DVO), fueled by passion rather than resources, is a testament to the power of community, persistence, and a shared love of music.
The story began with a handful of local advocates for the arts, including Carol Diefenbach, George Stauser, Connie Elberth, Susan Parkyn, and Pastor Dave, who recognized both the cultural potential of the region and the absence of accessible musical theatrical performance. With the leadership of Gloria Krause, a local music teacher and bassoonist, a small but dedicated group of musicians, singers and supporters willing to take on the challenge of building something from the ground up, was gathered. The group gradually formalized its structure, establishing a board, pursuing nonprofit status, and securing modest funding through donations and grants.
In its earliest days, DVO operated on little more than ingenuity. Audiences, many of whom were experiencing live opera for the first time, responded with growing enthusiasm. Word of mouth drew larger audiences from across Sullivan County and beyond, while a growing network of performers - some local, others traveling from nearby cities - elevated the artistic caliber of productions.
By the early 2000s, the company had begun its transition from a purely volunteer-driven operation, and the shift was marked by the ability to pay performers and production staff, attract emerging professional singers, and mount more ambitious repertoire. At the same time, it remained rooted in its founding mission: to bring high-quality opera to a rural community and to make the art form accessible and welcoming.
In 2021, the DVO purchased the historic "Nutshell" building in Lake Huntington giving the company a home of their own balance artistic excellence with community engagement. Its productions - now more fully staged and musically robust - continue to draw audiences who value both the intimacy of the setting and the quality of performance.
The legacy of those early founders endures. The vision of Carol Diefenbach, the leadership of Gloria Krause and Carol Castel, and the commitment of countless volunteers and artists, have shaped an institute proving great art need not be confined to major cities.
This season marks the DVO's 40th year! Make every effort to attend the 40th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, June 6, 2026 from 6:00 pm to 11 pm. The Delaware Valley Opera Center is located at 6692 Route 52, Lake Huntington, NY 12752.
You won't want to miss the dessert buffet, performances from DVO singers, silent auction being held online at BiddingOwl.com, and displays of DVO's history. This seasons' productions are The Mikado in July and The Magic Flute in August.
See you at the Opera!
