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
The “dazzling” and “spellbinding” This House has its world premiere at OTSL
Renowned composer Ricky Ian Gordon’s latest collaboration with Lynn Nottage opened last Saturday [May 31st.] at Opera Theater of Saint Louis. […] This time Lynn’s daughter, Ruby Aiyo Gerber, joined the ranks as co-librettist. […] (This House was also assistant conducted by OTSL’s Head of Music, Darwin Aquino.)
Appointed as new Head of Music at OTSL
Darwin was selected as Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’s new Head of Music for the 2025 Festival Season, working alongside world class artists in four operas and the Center Stage concert with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO)
Radio talk on Viva Rachmaninoff
St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra Music Director Darwin Aquino and pianist Brian Woods talk with Kathy Lawton Brown about “Viva Rachmaninoff” (Friday, April 25, 2025). This concert features Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, performed by Woods.
St. Louis Philarmonic Orchestra closes season with Rachmaninoff, other romantic composers
Conducting the philharmonic is artistic and musical director Darwin Aquino. Known for his work as a composer and champion of contemporary music, he currently serves as conductor for the New Works Collective with Opera Theatre of St. Louis.
Missouri Arts Council selects Darwin as Featured Artist
Since we founded our Missouri Featured Artists Program in 2020, we have highlighted more than 200 imaginative makers from throughout the state. We’ve brought you painters, pencil artists, sculptors, dancers, singers, instrumental musicians, poets, novelists, filmmakers, ceramicists, jewelry artists, glass artists, and many more who create in myriad other ways. You’ll find them all in the ever-growing gallery below our current highlighted quartet.
Darwin leads the USA Premiere of L. Boccherinni’s “Doña Clementina”
Experience love, honor, and Spanish flair in Luigi Boccherini’s opera Doña Clementina, making its American debut. Follow the captivating journey of a courageous young woman navigating passion, loyalty, and the trials of family honor, all set to stirring melodies and sung en español. Soprano Teresa Castillo returns to make her official Opera Southwest debut in the title role.