Biography

Born in Rome, Italy and educated in the prestigious "Santa Cecilia" Conservatory, where he was immersed for almost a decade in the rich musical Italian tradition, Mo Andrizzi has become a highly accomplished conductor with a passion for the diverse facets of the musical arts and for the message of inclusivity that an embracing classical repertoire can bring to the modern public. Mo Andrizzi's dedication and talent have garnered praise from esteemed publications such as the Chicago Tribune, Opera News, and the San Diego Union-Tribune who have often applauded his versatility and his extensive repertoire in symphonic, operatic, choral, and ballet music.

Throughout his career, Mo Andrizzi has collaborated with a range of renowned institutions including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Richmond Symphony, San Diego Opera, Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana, Joffrey Ballet, Chicago Philharmonic, Orchestra della Città di Ravenna, Opera Theater of St. Louis, Chicago Opera Theater, and New Philharmonic, among others. His contributions to notable music festivals such as Millennium Park, Ravinia, and the Latino Music Festivals have further solidified his reputation.

Mo Andrizzi's artistry and collaborative spirit have flourished through numerous collaborations with some of the most important classical musicians of these times. In fact, he has enjoyed making music with distinguished international artists including Ferruccio Furlanetto, Frederica Von Stade, Maurizio Baglini, Frank Almond, Esteban Batallán, James Pellerite, David Taylor, Wael Farouk, Winston Choi, Almita Vamos, and Joyce Castle, among many others.

In 2018, Mo Andrizzi undertook a mission to enrich Chicago's operatic landscape by establishing the Opera Festival of Chicago (operafestivalchicago.org). As the Music Director of this esteemed festival, he curated an exceptional program that showcased Italian masterpieces previously unheard of 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 some of the major Classical Music stations in the US and around the globe.

Mo Andrizzi's commitment to education is as profound as his musical expertise. After having served for ten years as the Conductor and Head of the Orchestral Program at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, where his invaluable work has contributed to the development of a top-rated Orchestral Studies program, he has recently been appointed as the new Director of Orchestral Studies at the prestigious Shenandoah Conservatory. Maestro Andrizzi has been a fervent supporter of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Performing Arts, and under his guidance and mentorship, many students from different backgrounds have successfully become accomplished professional musicians. Throughout his career, he has guest conducted with some of the most renowned music programs in the US, such as the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, and has 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.

Beyond academia, he has collaborated with renowned international young artist programs, including the Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric Opera of Chicago where he has worked as the first Conducting teacher, the Mediterranean Opera Studio and Festival, and the Chicago Opera Theater Young Artist Program. In addition, his passion for education and for the discovery of emerging talent has inspired him to create the Opera Festival of Chicago's Young Artists program. 

Mo Andrizzi's dedication to fostering the next generation of musicians extends to conducting All-State, Honors, and Youth Orchestras, where he shares his passion for the musical arts with talented young musicians from across the country. Furthermore, he has forged enduring relationships with various orchestras, where he has helped to create Family, Education, and Holiday programs. Notably, he has worked extensively with the Chicago Philharmonic, conducting their outreach and side-by-side programs for several years.

Recognitions have followed Mo Andrizzi throughout his career. He received the esteemed Illinois Council of Orchestras' 2021 Conductor of the Year Award, the Honorable Mention Award at the International Competition for Conductors of Contemporary Music “4X4 Prize,” and emerged as a winner in the “P. Barrasso” International Competition for Chamber Music. Prior to his current positions, he served as the Music Director and Conductor of the Cervantes Orchestra of Chicago, dedicated to promoting Hispanic and Spanish Classical music, and as assistant conductor to Maestros Andrew Davis and James Conlon.

Originally from Rome, Italy, Mo 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. After moving to the United States, he earned a Master's degree in Conducting from Bard College and a DMA in Conducting Performance from Northwestern University. Prior to settling in the Chicago area, Mo Andrizzi lived and worked in Portugal and Spain. Today, he resides in Evanston, IL with his wife and three children. His extensive travels have facilitated proficiency in multiple languages, enhancing his ability to effectively express and communicate his musical ideas to musicians from around the world.