Artistic Projects
Frieda’s World
A closer look into String Quartets of the C.20th
Fascinated with Frieda Belinfante’s life and work in the C.20th, the Belinfantes have come to love and treasure iconic string quartets of this time. They represent an historic moment in string quartet writing. They allow a window both into the future of music, and of the ancient musical past – sometimes even before the invention of string quartet writing. We begin with projects exploring Benjamin Britten’s four string quartets, which span the central 44 years of the C.20th, (1931-1975) and the events of World War II. What were the links with Benjamin Britten and the composers: Henry Purcell; John Playford; Gustav Mahler; of Medieval and Baroque Venice ; Joseph Haydn and Dimitri Shostakovich to name but a few? What are Britten’s links with authors and ancient philosophers such as Thomas Mann, Plato and the Greek Myths? How was Britten’s music a reflection of the world in the C.20th? How can we take lessons and questions Britten asked into the future?
Have a closer look at our three main projects in Frieda’s World below.
La Serenissima
Continuing our journey into great C.20th string quartets: Benjamin Britten’s last String Quartet No.3 and an exciting new commission Baile by British talent Rhiannon Randle. Written in response to Britten’s exploration of home, and the resolution of the themes in his Opera: Death in Venice.
Looking at Gustav Mahler and Thomas Mann’s influence on Britten’s Third Quartet, we thread together programmes inspired by Mahler’s music and philosophy on the world and nature. Join us for our 2025 MERITA theatrical concert ‘Death Of Venice’. Exploring the impact of Climate Change on the places we love, through Britten’s String Quartet No.3, Music of Ancient Venice and Rhiannon Randle’s Baile.
With thanks to the Vaughan Williams Foundation for their support in commissioning Baile.

Frieda’s Journey

To be launched at our inaugural Belinfante Festival on May 10th 2026 in Utrecht – save the date!
Frieda travelled a lot during her lifetime. Much was initiated due to the events of World War II, including travelling from The Netherlands through to Switzerland. After the war. she travelled to the USA and settled in California. During her time in the USA, Frieda also travelled extensively, visiting many states and places where other composers and performers had also moved to, as a consequence of war.
The quartet looks into the music Frieda encountered in her work as a cellist and conductor on her travels, as well as the parallel lives of composers and artists of the C.20th who also had to travel due to war and political circumstances.
Music including: Benjamin Britten String Quartet No.1 – Rebecca Clarke – Henriette Bosmans – Belinfante Family – Bela Bartok – Kurt Weill – Arnold Schoenberg
Visit Frieda’s Page to learn more about her, and to keep up with news of more events about her and her musical life.

Ellipse
A ‘ghost composer’ Henry Purcell threads his way through the music of Benjamin Britten (Three Divertimenti and Second String Quartet), Caroline Shaw and John Playford/Arthur Klaassens.
Britten provides a glimpse into ancient music, and a response to the destruction of the events of WW2. Dutch composer Arthur Klaassens playfully brings the dance music of John Playford into a fresh new work for string quartet.
Around the Globe
With Frieda travelling frequently in her lifetime, meeting new people and cultures, the quartet love to encourage new string quartet writing and new cultural connections. We want to explore different musical cultures, many of which won’t have string quartets in their own traditions. Through researching and learning traditional music from around the world, we will spread the artform of the string quartet to new places. Reaching new audiences, and illuminating different musical sound worlds for those who already love string quartet music – let’s innovate a bright future for the string quartet artform.

Parallel 40
Parallel 40 is an ode to discovery and connection, collecting and arranging traditional music and string quartets from many different countries and regions found along the 40th Parallel North Line of Latitude.
Starting in Menorca, where Pau is from, and heading east, for a full turn around the globe. We will discover music and stories from Menorca, Italy, Greece, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, North Korea, China, Japan, the US, Portugal and Spain.
Joseph Bologne’s String Quartets
Joseph Bologne has hit the news in recent years owing both to the Black Lives Matter Movement and the rediscovery of his music. There have been theatrical productions, films and concerts dedicated to him. He himself was born in 1745 in Guadeloupe, but grew up in the courts of Paris. Here he grew a reputation as a virtuoso violinist, composer and fencing champion. His compositions have been overlooked. But his string quartets represent a historical moment in the French school of composition. His quartets are among the first of the French School, and are different in approach to those of Haydn and Boccherini, so you could say he represents a co-evolutionary strand in the string quartet invention. Listen out for the Belinfantes performing his string quartets.
Geographical Connections
A look at music from countries who have been linked in the past, whether from colonization, shifting geographic boundaries to new nations being created. How do people, cultures and traditions interact around the world?
Decolonization in Music
Starting with a look at The Netherlands and its past links around the globe. “Decolonization in Music” combines Dutch folk music with traditional music from former Dutch colonies, such as South Africa, Suriname and Indonesia. The goal is to show the diversity of cultures connected to the colonial past of the Netherlands. Join us in opening a dialogue about the importance of recognizing and respecting different people, cultures and traditions, with the aim of promoting a more inclusive and diverse society.
Whisky Water
Meet Whisky Water, a cheerful concert program inspired by the comic story ‘Whisky Galore’ by Compton MacKenzie.
This program explores the relationship of ‘waters’ between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands; the sea that transports alcoholic drinks. Let yourself be carried away by a remix of English Renaissance music from John Playford, traditional folk music from Scotland and Dutch folk songs.
Folk Music Arrangements
Our love of arranging traditional music all started with Fiona! Have a listen to Fiona’s arrangements of tunes from her native Scotland.
