Argentinian-Italian conductor Michelle Di Russo has been named the sixth Music Director of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra.

Currently Music Director Designate, she will begin her tenure in the 2025-26 concert season.

In a statement, she said, “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.

Di Russo previously served as Associate Conductor with the North Carolina Symphony and Interim Director of Orchestras at Cornell University. She was recently appointed Associate Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony, where she leads over 50 concerts annually.

The conductor has served as guest conductor with the LA Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Vermont Symphony, Portland Symphony, Knoxville Symphony, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Calgary Philharmonic, and Toledo Ballet.

Additionally, Di Russo is a Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award recipient and conducting fellow at the Aspen Music Festival. She has also been a Dudamel Fellow, a Taki Alsop Fellow, and a fellow of the Chicago Sinfonietta program and the Dallas Opera Hart Institute.

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