From 2006 to 2015 he was the artistic director of the Theater Basel[1] and he took over the management of the Hamburg State Opera in 2015.

He produced his first productions in opera and play in Bern, Lucerne and at the Theater Orchester Biel Solothurn [de].

His focus soon began to shift towards premieres of Musical theatres like 22.13 by Mark Andre (Munich Biennale, Festival d'Automne à Paris, Paris Opera); Hellhörig by Carola Bauckholt (Munich Biennale/Theater Basel), Der Alte vom Berge by Bernhard Lang (Schwetzingen Festival/Theater Basel); and 3 Frauen by Wolfgang Rihm (Theater Basel).

As a professor, Delnon began at the Folkwang University of the Arts, moving on to working in Frankfurt, Montepulciano and Basel.

[6] 2003 he was named honorary Professor of the University of Mainz and received the Order of Merit of Rhineland-Palatinate.