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
Article about opera premiere and Darwin’s musical life (In Spanish)
El estreno, en la Gran Opera de Miami, de «El Matrimonio Secreto» de Domenico Cimarosa, uno de los más prolíficos compositores del siglo dieciocho, que llegó a componer ochenta óperas y fue maestro del género «comedia bufa» o comedia cómica, muy popular durante aquella época por su acercamiento a temas populares, sus ágiles dúos y tríos, recitativos hablados y por su risueña trama, marca historia al ser una versión totalmente cantada en español.
Recent concert with Helen Kim, Associate Concertmaster Seattle Symphony Orchestra
The WashU Symphony Orchestra students will perform under the direction of Darwin Aquino, Conductor-in-Residence.
New interview about Aquino’s compositions (in Spanish)
Inventando la Música is a space led by the composer Carlos Zamora, dedicated to talk with Ibero-American composers.
Latin premiere of Concerto for Violin, Strings and Percussion
“ENTRE CUERDAS” (Between Strings), Thursday November 10 – 8 pm (CT) | Facebook & YouTube recording premiere of the Orquesta Sinfónica de Heredia. Location: Museo de Arte Costarricense – MAC in partnership with Radio Universidad de Costa Rica, Quince-UCR
SLSO Stories: SLSO + WashU musicians together with Darwin
The weather couldn’t have been better for the continuation of an annual tradition: an outdoor welcome back concert at Washington University featuring St. Louis Symphony Orchestra musicians.
Conducting debut at the Interlochen Center for the Arts
Dominican conductor and composer Darwin Aquino continues to raise international attention and to inspire audiences and artists all around the world with his charismatic energy. Aquino’s constant presence in multiples stages is seen as a bright light for diversity and inclusion in classical music.