Music Director Designate, Michelle Di Russo
“Di Russo created an almost magically different atmosphere”
— The Broad Street Review
A graceful yet powerful force on the podium, Argentinian-Italian conductor Michelle Di Russo is known for her compelling interpretations, passionate musicality, and championing of contemporary music. Di Russo is thrilled to be named Music Director of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, becoming the sixth music director in its 119-year history and beginning her tenure in the 2025-2026 season.
In 2024, Di Russo was appointed Associate Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony by Robert Spano and granted The Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award. She is a conducting fellow at the Aspen Music Festival as well as a former Dudamel Fellow with LA Philharmonic, mentee of the Taki Alsop Fellowship, and fellow of the Chicago Sinfonietta program and The Dallas Opera Hart Institute.
Her professional highlights include guest conducting debuts with Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Calgary Philharmonic, and Toledo Ballet. She is returning to cover conduct for the New York Philharmonic, National Symphony and San Diego Symphony as well as performing over 50 concerts with the Fort Worth Symphony as part of her position. Di Russo has been selected as part of a two-year project of the Roche Young Commissions at the Lucerne Festival Academy and will be leading Suor Angelica at the Prague Summer Nights Festival. As part of her work as a conducting fellow at the Verbier Festival last summer, she assisted and worked closely with Simon Rattle, Klaus Mäkelä, and Lahav Shani.
Di Russo has guest conducted LA Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Vermont Symphony, Portland Symphony, Knoxville Symphony, and worked as cover conductor for the St. Louis Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, and LA Philharmonic. She has held positions as Associate Conductor with North Carolina Symphony, Interim Director of Orchestras at Cornell University, and was a fellow at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music and a Joel Revzen fellow of the Napa Valley Festival.
“It is with great joy and deep gratitude that I step into the role of Music Director of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. From the first time I conducted the orchestra, I knew there was a special connection between us, and the audience was crucial in bringing a one-of-a-kind electricity to our performances. I am inspired not only by the extraordinary talent of the musicians, but also by the passion and dedication of the entire DSO team — from the visionary leadership of the board and CEO J.C. Barker, to the tireless work of the staff who make it all possible behind the scenes. This orchestra is a cultural treasure of Delaware with limitless potential, and I’m honored to have been entrusted with its future. I believe in music that moves us, challenges us, and brings us closer together — and I can’t wait to embark on this journey with the DSO and our vibrant Delaware community.”
— Michelle Di Russo, May 2025
