Suzy Frelinghuysen

Who is Suzy Frelinghuysen?

Suzy Frelinghuysen was an American abstract painter and erstwhile soprano.

Born in New Jersey, she was descended from various politicians, including her grandfather, Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, and Theodore Frelinghuysen. She was educated at Miss Fine's in Princeton, and studied art and music privately.

In 1935, she married the artist George L.K. Morris, who encouraged her painting, and in 1938 she was the first woman to have a painting placed in the permanent collection of the Museum of Living Art. She and Morris were founding members of the American Abstract Artists. She took part, in Paris, at the Salon des Réalités Nouvelles, and exhibited also in Rome and Amsterdam.

As Suzy Morris, the dramatic soprano appeared with the New York City Opera from 1947 to 1950, in Ariadne auf Naxos, Cavalleria rusticana, Tosca, Aïda, and Les contes d'Hoffmann.

Following that last appearance with the City Opera, she debuted in 1950 with the New Orleans Opera Association, as Amelia in Un ballo in maschera. That performance, which was broadcast, also featured Jussi Björling, Marko Rothmüller, Martha Larrimore, the young Norman Treigle, as well as Audrey Schuh. In 1998, VAI released this performance on Compact Discs.