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
Darwin conducts a New York premiere of Latinx modern music
Association of Dominican Classical Artists (ADCA) Symphony Orchestra performing "Elegy for Strings" by Roque Cordero (1917-2008) Panama. Darwin Aquino, guest conductor ADCA Symphony Orchestra is a group of musicians formed by the members of La Camerata Washington...
Darwin Aquino’s new interview with Martha Buckner, of the Ashland Symphony Orchestra
The Ashland Symphony Orchestra presents a conversation with Conductor Finalist Darwin Aquino and ASO Executive Director Martha Buckner. Recorded August 14, 2020. Towards the end: "Por una Cabeza" by Carlos Gardel, performed by Darwin Aquino....
Darwin Aquino: The way they listen – Episode 3 – Deep Listening
This video is an interview with Darwin Aquino Composer and Conductor. In this episode of the Way They Listen we explore Darwin's recently published work, Una Isla Dos Mundos (One Island Two Worlds). This piece is a deeply moving work celebrating the shared identities...
Read the story: “Filling the Silence: What Life is Like for 7 Classical Musicians during the COVID-19 Pandemic”
With the recent announcement by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra postponing the remaining live concerts of the 2019-20 season, musicians have had their COVID-19 break extended even further. We [Eric Meyer - St. Louis Post-Dispatch] caught up with seven local musicians...
Latest review about conducting V. Bellini’s opera Norma
Vincenzo Bellini’s 1831 opera “Norma” is the epitome of the bel canto genre: It’s all about the singing — and the drama that the singing conveys. [...] For its first “Norma,” Winter Opera St. Louis focused on the singing, assembling a fine cast. It was led by soprano...
St. Louis Public Radio interview about Video Games concert featuring WashU & UMSL Symphony Orchestras
For about a year, Darwin Aquino has been serving as conductor of the orchestras at both the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Washington University. And on Tuesday evening, the two groups under his direction rehearsed together for the first time ever. Final...