Steven Mercurio (born 1956, Bardonia, New York) is an American conductor and composer.

Early life and education

Mercurio was raised in New York and is of Italian descent. For most of his adolescence, he gravitated towards rock and jazz music and played guitar in various rock bands with his friends during his high school years. He studied composition and graduated from Boston University where his professors included David Del Tredici. He earned his master's degree at Juilliard School.

Career

Early in his career, Mercurio served as an associate or assistant conductor with the Brooklyn Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera. In 1991, he was appointed principal conductor of the Opera Company of Philadelphia. He then served as music director of the Spoleto Festival for five years, where his work included conducting the United States premiere of Zemlinsky's Der Zwerg. In March 2019, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra announced the appointment of Mercurio as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2019-2020 season. Mercurio has conducted a number of television productions, including: Mercurio has recorded commercially for such labels as Sony Classical and Decca. He has been a regular collaborator with Andrea Bocelli.

Recordings (selected list)

Compositions

For orchestra For voice and Orchestra Chamber music