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
Note on Darwin Aquino at FIU University Graduate School
Classical music is not as big of a tradition in the Dominican Republic as it is in some other locations, and opportunities for young musicians are limited there. “But when you have a passion about something, life sends you the way,” says Darwin Aquino, an FIU graduate...
Darwin Aquino interview with “Stay at Music” (in Spanish)
Maestro Darwin Aquino (Dominican composer, director and violinist) brings PRIMICIAS to Stay At Music and tells us about his inspiration in the rhythms and folk songs of our island to compose.
Read an exciting new paper on Cantata para Amansar la Muerte
Folklore in the Modern Concert Hall: Religion, Tradition, and Cultural Mixture in Darwin Aquino’s Cantata para Amansar la Muerte (Cantata to Tame Death) The purpose of this analysis by Emmanuel Berrido is to explain how Darwin Aquino’s work, Cantata para Amansar la...