Born in Rome, Italy, and educated at the prestigious Santa Cecilia Conservatory, where he immersed himself for nearly a decade in the rich Italian musical tradition, Sir Emanuele Andrizzi has become a highly accomplished conductor with a passion for the diverse facets of the musical arts and the message of inclusivity that a classical repertoire can bring to modern audiences. Andrizzi's dedication and talent have garnered praise from esteemed publications such as the Chicago Tribune, Opera News, and the San Diego Union-Tribune, which have often applauded his versatility and extensive repertoire in symphonic, operatic, choral, and ballet music.
Throughout his career, Andrizzi has collaborated with renowned institutions including the Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Richmond Symphony, San Diego Opera, Joffrey Ballet, Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic, Orchestra della Città di Ravenna, and Opera Theater of St. Louis. His contributions to notable music festivals such as Millennium Park, Ravinia, Pitchfork, and the Latino Music Festival have further solidified his reputation.
Andrizzi's artistry and collaborative spirit have flourished through numerous partnerships with some of the most important classical musicians of our time. He has enjoyed making music with distinguished international artists such as Frederica Von Stade, Maurizio Baglini, Frank Almond, Esteban Batallán, Julian Schwarz, Andrew Balio, Ferruccio Furlanetto, James Pellerite, David Taylor, Wael Farouk, Winston Choi, Almita Vamos, and Joyce Castle, among many others.
In 2018, Andrizzi undertook a mission to enrich Chicago's operatic landscape by founding the Opera Festival of Chicago. As the music director of this esteemed festival, he has curated exceptional programs showcasing Italian masterpieces rarely performed in Chicago and the Midwest. Under his leadership, the festival has gained national and international attention, and its world-class performances have been broadcast on major Classical Music stations in the United States and around the globe.
Andrizzi's commitment to education is as profound as his musical expertise. After serving for a dozen years as the conductor and head of the orchestral program at Roosevelt University, where his invaluable work contributed to the development of a top-rated orchestral studies program, he was recently appointed as the new director of orchestral studies at Shenandoah Conservatory. Throughout his career, he has guest-conducted at some of the most renowned music programs in the United States, such as the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, and has led multiple series of conducting masterclasses at esteemed Schools of Music such as the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University and the Cleveland Institute of Music.
His dedication to nurturing the next generation of musicians extends beyond academia. Andrizzi has collaborated with prestigious international programs, including the Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, where he served as the program’s first Conducting teacher, the Mediterranean Opera Studio and Festival, and the Chicago Opera Theater Young Artist Program. His commitment to education and discovery inspired him to establish the Opera Festival of Chicago's Young and Emerging Artists Programs.
Recognitions have followed Andrizzi throughout his career. He received the Illinois Council of Orchestras' 2021 Conductor of the Year Award and the Honorable Mention Award at the International Competition for Conductors of Contemporary Music 4X4 Prize. Earlier, he emerged as a winner in the P. Barrasso International Competition for Chamber Music. Most
Importantly, in 2024, in acknowledgment of Andrizzi's tireless efforts in disseminating Italian culture and music across the globe, the President of the Italian Republic bestowed upon him the title of Officer of the Knights of the Order of the Star of Italy, recognizing his significant contributions to facilitating the exposure of emerging and established Italian artists to the American public. His endeavors have played a pivotal role in fostering cultural exchange and collaboration between Italy and the United States.
Originally from Rome, Italy, Andrizzi obtained a diploma in piano performance from the A. Casella Conservatory. He later pursued studies in conducting and composition at the Santa Cecilia Conservatory in Rome with Maestros Aprea, Vandor, and Procaccini. After moving to the United States, he earned a master’s degree in conducting from Bard College and a Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting performance from Northwestern University under the guidance of Victor Yampolsky. On his path to becoming a professional conductor, he worked for several years as an assistant conductor to the late Maestro Sir Andrew Davis and to Maestro James Conlon. Before his current positions, he served as the founder and music director of the Cervantes Orchestra of Chicago, dedicated to promoting and performing Hispanic Classical music.