The Delaware Symphony Orchestra is an American

orchestra An orchestra (; ) is a large instrumental ensemble typical of classical music, which combines instruments from different families. There are typically four main sections of instruments: * String instruments, such as the violin, viola, cello, ...

based in

Wilmington, Delaware Wilmington is the List of municipalities in Delaware, most populous city in the U.S. state of Delaware. The city was built on the site of Fort Christina, the first Swedish colonization of the Americas, Swedish settlement in North America. It lie ...

. The orchestra gives its concerts primarily in the Grand Opera House.

History

In the 19th century,

Alfred I. du Pont Alfred Irénée du Pont (May 12, 1864 – April 28, 1935) was an American industrialist, financier, philanthropist and a member of the influential Du Pont family. Alfred du Pont first rose to prominence through his work in his family's Delaware ...

founded the Tankopanicum Musical Club, considered the first precursor ensemble to the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. Following the disbanding of the Tankopanicum Musical Club, two businessmen in Wilmington, Kellogg Kennon Venable Casey and Cyrus Peter Miller Rumford, established the Wilmington Orchestra in 1906, with August Rodemann as the orchestra's music director. The Wilmington Orchestra gave its first concert 27 May 1907. The Wilmington Orchestra disbanded in 1909 because of a lack of financial support. In 1912, the Wilmington Symphony Club was established, as a principally amateur ensemble with Harry Stausebach as its conductor, and performed two concerts per season. In 1929, the Wilmington Symphony Club changed its name to the Symphony Club of Wilmington, following a merger with the Wilmington Music School. Stausebach stood down as the orchestra's music director in 1955. Van Lier Lanning succeeded Stausebach as music director in 1955, and held the post until 1979. During Lanning's tenure, in 1971, the orchestra formally changed its name to its current name, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra's schedule also increased to three concerts per season, and subsequently to four concerts per season.

Stephen Gunzenhauser Stephen Charles Gunzenhauser (born April 8, 1942) is an American conductor of classical music. He was the music director of the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra for 40 years, retiring after the 2019–20 season. In 2005, he founded the Endless Mount ...

became music director of the orchestra in 1979. During Gunzenhauser's tenure, the orchestra toured to Portugal and made its professional debuts in Washington D.C. and in New York City. Gunzenhauser concluded his tenure in 2002. David Amado became music director in 2003. During Amado's tenure, in 2009, the orchestra signed its first recording contract, from the

Telarc International Corporation Telarc International Corporation is an American audiophile independent record label founded in 1977 by two classically trained musicians and former teachers, Jack Renner and Robert Woods. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, the label has had a long assoc ...

, to record a CD along with the

Los Angeles Guitar Quartet The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ) is an American classical guitar ensemble that was formed in 1980. It consists of John Dearman, William Kanengiser, Douglas Lora (who replaced Scott Tennant at the end of 2023) and Matthew Greif (who replac ...

. Amado stood down as music director in 2023 and now has the title of music director laureate. In November 2023, Michelle Di Russo first guest-conducted the orchestra, and subsequently became a finalist for the post of music director of the orchestra. In May 2025, the orchestra announced the appointment of Di Russo as its next music director, effective with the 2025-2026 season. Di Russo is the first female conductor to be named music director of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra.

Music directors

* August Rodemann * Harry Stausebach * Van Lier Lanning (1955–1979) *

(1979–2002) * David Amado (2003–2023) * Michelle Di Russo (designate, effective autumn 2025)

References

External links

*
Official page on the history of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra
{{authority control, state=collapsed American symphony orchestras Musical groups from Wilmington, Delaware Orchestras based in Delaware Musical groups established in 1929 Tourist attractions in Wilmington, Delaware Wikipedia requested audio of orchestras Non-profit organizations based in Delaware 1929 establishments in Delaware