The first woman in the Philharmonic
OrchestrasNetflix has begun streaming a short documentary on the double-bassist Orin O’Brien, who became the first female member of the New York Philharmonic in 1966 under Leonard Bernstein. There were no dressing rooms for women. there had previously been one harpist).
The Only Girl In The Orchestra is directed by Orin’s niece, Molly O’Brien.
Orin, who turns 90 next year, is still teaching at Manhattan School of Music and Mannes. Until 2002, she was co-chair of the double-bass faculty at Juilliard. She retired from the Philharmonic, after 55 years, in 2021.
What a career!
She is the daughter of George O’Brien, an actor who appeared in numerous Hollywood Westerns in the ’30s and ’40s.
The pianist Harriet Wingreen was hired in 1965; both she and harpist Steffy Goldner preceded Orin O’Brien.
Apples and oranges. Harpists play in less than 50% of concerts and around 20% of works over the course of a major orchestra’s season; the keyboard even less. Plus, they are in sections of one, generally, so not subject to internal section politics . Orin’s entry and persistence within the section of an instrument which still has many fewer female representatives in top orchestras than the other string sections was a huge deal then and is would still, sadly, be noteworthy today! Glad to see her receiving recognition on such a high visibility platform!
now you ruined the nice woke headline. besides, a harp is not in every concert.
In the late 1970’s, I was a fledgling (female) conductor and worked as an usher at Avery Fisher Hall. One couldn’t miss seeing Orin O’Brien as she was the Associate Principal Bass of the NYP. I approached her to ask if she might find time to meet with me and share which NYP music directors and guest conductors she admired the most and why. Ms. O’Brien not only shared her time but invited me to her apartment and spent two hours with me. I’ve never forgotten Orin O’Brien’s kindness, TOTAL love of and dedication to music, and her generosity of spirit.
Really interested to see this but don’t like the title. Not sure if they’re just trying to reclaim a sexist remark but can’t we just call a woman a woman?
No, you may not, or at least not on this site. And pointing out that a “female” might be first at anything is considered “woke”. Sorry.
Harriet Wingreen was wonderful but not full time member. Wonderful colleague…
A great movie. Sensitive. Musical in its own way. Remember her playing solo bass in the small orchestra in Britten’s war requiem under Rostropovich around 1987
I enjoyed the documentary. 90 years old, wow! She looks 25 years younger. Obviously a very special talented lady. Congratulations to Netflix for this kind of programming.
It wasn’t created by them and was screened elsewhere first, they just bought the rights. Kudos to them for doing that though.
An inspiring individual on so many levels.
A beautiful documentary.