Shenandoah Conservatory announces the appointment of conductor, composer and pianist Emanuele Andrizzi, D.M.A., as director of orchestral studies and associate professor of conducting beginning August 2023. Dr. Andrizzi succeeds Conductor, Director of Orchestral Studies and Professor of Conducting Jan Wagner, Diploma and Korrepetitions Praxis, Academy of Music in Vienna (Austria), who retired at the end of the 2022/23 academic year after 21 years of service at Shenandoah.
Maestro Andrizzi received his education in the rich musical tradition of Rome’s Conservatory. His conducting has earned acclaim, with the Chicago Tribune describing it as “admirable” and the San Diego Union Tribune praising its “spirit and thoughtfulness.” With a versatile musical background and a deep passion for various aspects of the art form, he brings extensive experience in symphonic and operatic repertoires.
“Professor Andrizzi is well positioned to advance orchestral performance and opera performance at Shenandoah,” said Interim Dean; Charlotte A. & Verne E. Collins Endowed Professor; and Professor of Music Education Jeffrey Marlatt, Ph.D. “His enthusiasm and passion for music making is contagious. He promises to be a highly collaborative partner in our conservatory creative work.”
As a conductor, Andrizzi has collaborated with esteemed companies including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Diego Opera, Chicago Philharmonic, Orchestra della Città di Ravenna, Opera Theater of St. Louis, Richmond Symphony, Chicago Opera Theater and New Philharmonic. He has made significant contributions to renowned music festivals such as Millennium Park, Pitchfork, Ravinia and Latino Music Festivals. Noteworthy international artists, including Ferruccio Furlanetto, Frederica Von Stade, Maurizio Baglini, Frank Almond and Joyce Castle, have performed as soloists in his concerts, operas, recitals and recordings. Andrizzi has also established a special relationship with the Chicago Philharmonic, creating and leading their family, education, and holiday programs for several years.
“Maestro Andrizzi represented to us a perfect synthesis of impeccable musicianship, energy on the podium and enthusiasm for his craft,” said Chair of Instrumental Division and Professor of Saxophone Timothy Roberts, D.M.A. “Out of a record number of applicants for this job, he was the ideal choice for leading the Shenandoah Conservatory Symphony Orchestra into a new era of excellence with a new concert hall soon to come.”
In addition to his successful conducting career, Andrizzi is a dedicated educator. He led the orchestral program at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University for 10 years before his appointment at Shenandoah. He has collaborated with prominent artist programs, including the Ryan Opera Center, Mediterranean Opera Festival and Studio, and the Chicago Opera Theater Young Artist Program. As a guest conductor, he has worked with university music programs such as the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University.
Andrizzi’s outstanding achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Illinois Council of Orchestras’ 2021 Conductor of the Year Award, an Honorable Mention Award at the International Competition for Conductors of Contemporary Music 4X4 Prize and a win in the “P. Barrasso” International Competition for Chamber Music. He previously served as the music director and conductor of the Cervantes Orchestra of Chicago, dedicated to promoting Hispanic and Spanish Classical music. Additionally, he gained valuable experience as an assistant conductor under the guidance of Maestros Andrew Davis and James Conlon. Andrizzi’s recordings can be found on Albany Records.
