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06 Aug

20:15

Meervaart (Blauwe Zaal)

Meer en Vaart 300, Amsterdam

Experience the extraordinary life of Frieda Belinfante—cellist, conductor, WWII resistance hero, and queer pioneer—in this acclaimed one-woman musical, presented in English for WorldPride Amsterdam.

Frieda Belinfante (WorldPride Edition)

More info & tickets

An intimate mix of musical and opera about a queer icon.

In celebration of WorldPride 2026, Stichting Boon en Ster and The Dutch National Opera present two exclusive English-language performances of 'Frieda Belinfante'. This acclaimed one-woman musical tells the extraordinary life story of Frieda Belinfante (1904-1995): cellist, conductor, resistance hero, and queer pioneer.

Step into the life of an exceptional woman who broke boundaries both as a musician and as a person. Frieda was the first woman to conduct her own symphony orchestra and played a crucial role in the artists' resistance during World War II. After the war, she fled to the United States, where she built another successful career as a conductor. Despite her impressive life story, her name remained overlooked for a long time.

In this powerful musical theater performance, Esther Lindenbergh portrays Belinfante's life. The audience follows Frieda's journey from her youth in Amsterdam and her search for identity, through the war years and her resistance work, to her new life in America.

"Frieda Belinfante is musical theater with flair, decisiveness, and speed."

Het Parool

"A monument to a great conductor and resistance hero."

Theaterkrant

As a lesbian woman who had to forge her path both artistically and socially in a male-dominated world, Frieda Belinfante became an international queer icon. Her story of courage, authenticity, and freedom perfectly aligns with the message of WorldPride Amsterdam 2026.

More Than a Performance

In collaboration with Meervaart Amsterdam, an extensive side program is organized around the performances. Visitors can participate in conversations with inspiring speakers from the world of culture, history, and queer heritage. There will also be an exhibition that provides a deeper look into the life and significance of Frieda Belinfante.

After the performance, the audience is invited to a festive 1930s dance evening, inspired by the era in which Frieda lived. This creates a special meeting between past and present, where history, art, and community come together in the spirit of WorldPride.