About Darwin
Known for his charismatic energy, his strong artistic convictions, and musical versatility, Dominican American composer, conductor, and violinist Darwin Aquino is making an impact worldwide leading acclaimed performances of new works, symphonic music, opera, and ballet, with a particular focus on the Latin American repertoire.
He is currently in his fifth season as Artistic & Music Director of the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, where he has worked extensively to amplify the recognition of the ensemble as one of the most noted performing arts organizations in the Midwest. Recent engagements include conducting debuts with Opera Southwest in New Mexico (Boccherini’s Clementina / U.S. premiere), the National Symphony Orchestra of Panama, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO), and the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Recently, Darwin was selected as the new Head of Music for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, where he has also served as Conductor for the New Works Collective since its inception in 2023, leading its first nine world premieres to great success and earning a reputation as a champion of new music.
Media
“La Ciguapa” a new commissioned composition premieres in November
La Ciguapa is a legend, a mysterious woman from the Dominican Republic who cannot be captured or controlled, a vivid symbol of autonomy, freedom, and self-possession
Guest composer for the CMS Young Composers Competition in 2027
Each year the CMS Young Composers Competition features a new nationally known guest composer who is passionate about working with future generations of composers.
Leading workshop of Tobias Picker’s new opera
Darwin was selected to conduct the second workshop of “Safe Haven”, a new opera by Tobias Picker and Aryeh Stollman. It is directed by our Opera Theater of Saint Louis’s artistic director Patricia Racette. It will premiere at OTSL during the 2027 Festival Season.
A new piece inspired by Pablo Picasso’s Guernica
Imaginación Folklórica (2026) - for Guitar, Piano Accordion & Orchestra (My Folkloric Imagination) Darwin Aquino (DrwAq), composer & conductor Lydia Schmild, Piano Accordion Celso Cano, Guitar St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra Skip Viragh Center for the...
Conducting at the Center Stage Concert
As Head of Music of Opera Theater of Saint Louis, Darwin was part of the conducting team for the Center Stage Concert at the end of the 2026 Festival Season, on June 24th.
Member of the New Works Collective
Opera Theatre’s New Works Collective is a disruption of the traditional commissioning model: it gives decision-making power to the community through a collective of St. Louis residents.