Frieda Belinfante served as the founding conductor of the Orange County Philharmonic Orchestra.
She was born in Holland to a musical family. Her father and grandfather were concert pianists. She made her debut as a cellist at the age of 17. While teaching in Amsterdam she became interested in conducting, and later studied this phase of music under Hermann Scherchen, one of Europe's leading teachers. Subsequently, she won a first prize in international competition in this field, the only woman in the group. The War, however, interrupted her musical activities and for some time she was connected with the Dutch Underground. She came to the United States in 1947.
She was a pioneer who faced persecution and prejudice for her half-Jewish heritage, sexual orientation, and occupation as a female conductor. Yet, she never allowed this to hold her back from achieving what she wanted to do (her motto was: “If I think I can do it, I can do it.”).
We are indebted to Frieda, whose faith, inspiration and major contributions to the musical landscape in Orange County guided the Philharmonic Society's initial growth and development.
Listen to these recordings of Frieda Belinfante
HAYDN: Concerto in D major
Orange County Philharmonic Orchestra
Frida Belinfante, soloist
Felix Slatkin, guest conductor
BRAHMS: Akademische Festouverture
Orange County Philharmonic Orchestra
Frieda Belinfante, conductor
BRAHMS: Sonate in E minor, Op. 38 for cello and piano
Frieda Belinfante, cello
Lucille Boger, piano
Pictures of Frieda Belinfante
