Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra Alexander Shelley looks on during the unveiling of upgrades to the NAC’s Southam Hall in Ottawa on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Music director Alexander Shelley to hold final National Arts Centre Orchestra concert July 2026
The National Arts Centre Orchestra鈥檚 celebrated music director will hold his last concert with the capital ensemble in July before heading to California.
Music Director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra Alexander Shelley looks on during the unveiling of upgrades to the NAC’s Southam Hall in Ottawa on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2018 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The National Arts Centre Orchestra鈥檚 celebrated music director will hold his last concert with the capital ensemble in July before heading to California.
Alexander Shelley’s farewell show comes towards the end of NAC’s 2025-2026 season, with his contract set to end Aug. 31, 2026.
Shelley is also music director designate for the 2025-2026 season of the Pacific Symphony in Costa Mesa, Calif., and is set to fully take the reins of the Orange County orchestra in the 2026-27 season.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Shelley joined the Ottawa orchestra in September 2015 at age 35, becoming the youngest music director in NAC Orchestra’s history.聽
He’s credited with strengthening its reputation through major tours of Canada, Europe and to New York’s Carnegie Hall, as well as livestreams and critically acclaimed recordings.
Over the next two months, Shelley will lead tours to Korea and Japan, marking the orchestra’s debut in Korea and its return to Japan for the first time in four decades.聽
In a statement Wednesday, NAC president and CEO Christopher Deacon said Shelley has left an indelible mark on the orchestra and artists he has inspired.
Shelley said his time in Canada 鈥渉as enriched me more than I can express,鈥 and is proud to say his two sons were born in Ottawa.
鈥淭hey are Canadians. My wife Zoe and I could not be prouder of this fact or more grateful to this country for the lifelong friendships we have forged, for the memories it has gifted us, for the unshakable generosity of spirit shown to us, and for over a decade of unforgettable cultural and musical adventures,鈥 Shelley said.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Born in London to concert pianists, Shelley studied cello and conducting in Germany and shot to fame when he was unanimously awarded first prize at the 2005 Leeds Conductors鈥 Competition. He went on to become the youngest-ever chief conductor of Germany鈥檚 N眉rnberger Symphoniker, from 2009 to 2017.
Since 2015, Shelley also served as associate conductor of London鈥檚 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and in 2023 was appointed artistic and music director of Artis鈭扤aples in Florida for the Naples Philharmonic.聽
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2025.
Camp is a place where unexpected fun leads to unleashed potential.
With your support, The 海角社区官网Star Fresh Air Fund provides opportunities for financially vulnerable children to ignite a lifelong love for adventure at camp. Above all, your kindness makes it happen.
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation