News Releases

  1. Alexander Shelley makes his debut at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto Leading the National Arts Centre Orchestra in a performance of Mozart and Strauss

    April 1, 2016

    OTTAWA (Canada) – On April 2, 2016 don’t miss the chance to see Ottawa’s celebrated new Music Director Alexander Shelley, as he leads the NAC Orchestra from the stage at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto for the first time. “I am thrilled to be leading the National Arts Centre’s phenomenal orchestra for the first time in the beautiful city of Toronto. Since I moved to... Read more

  2. Alexander Shelley Unveils a Spectacular 2016-17 Season for the NAC Orchestra

    March 18, 2016

    Music Director Alexander Shelley and the National Arts Centre Orchestra announced the 2016-17 Season today at the National Arts Centre, heralding remarkable guest artists including Joshua Bell, Angela Hewitt, Rick Mercer, Jan Lisiecki, Pinchas Zukerman, and Canadian Brass, amongst the dozens of talented performers who will grace the stage of the NAC. Season 2016-17 has over 50 concerts featuring... Read more

  3. Alexander Shelley and the NAC Orchestra Unveil Season 2016-17 Friday March 18 at 10 a.m.

    March 9, 2016

    Launch Event Media Availability– Friday, March 18 Ground Floor, Chambers Building, 54 Elgin Street (corner of Queen St.) Ottawa 9:45 a.m. Doors open for Media setup 10:00 a.m. Announcement 10:20 a.m. Media interviews   ANNOUNCEMENT 10 a.m.- 11 a.m. Ground Floor, Chambers Building, 54 Elgin Street (corner of Queen St.) Ottawa Christopher Deacon, Managing Director, NAC Orchestra... Read more

  4. Music Director Alexander Shelley and the NAC Orchestra Pay Tribute to Four Canadian Women in an Ambitious Multi-Media Performance

    March 8, 2016

    On May 19, 2016, Alexander Shelley and the National Arts Centre Orchestra will share the stories of four remarkable Canadian women through music, motion and word, in the world premiere of Life Reflected. This ground-breaking performance is the most ambitious creation project in the Orchestra’s history and promises to be the artistic highlight of the year. In 2013, when he accepted the... Read more

  5. Young musicians can now apply for a chance to win $19,000 at the 2016 National Arts Centre Orchestra Bursary Competition

    February 4, 2016

    OTTAWA — For budding young orchestral musicians, acquiring financial support to jump-start a professional career can be a challenge. That’s why the National Arts Centre Orchestra is pleased to encourage students aged 16-24 to apply for the chance to compete for prizes totaling $19,000 in the Orchestra’s 2016 Bursary Competition. The 2016 NAC Orchestra Bursary Competition is... Read more

  6. Acclaimed Canadian Pianist Jan Lisiecki shares the stage with Alexander Shelley and the NAC Orchestra in “Brahms Requiem” Feb 10-11

    February 2, 2016

    OTTAWA (Canada) – Drama and passion abound on February 10-11 when acclaimed Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki shares the stage with National Arts Centre Orchestra’s Music Director, Alexander Shelley in “Brahms Requiem,” a concert featuring radiant music by Johannes Brahms and Robert Schumann.   These Air Canada Ovation Series performances will open with Brahms’... Read more

  7. Alexander Shelley and the National Arts Centre Orchestra Brass Choir Perform the National Anthem at the Ottawa Senators Game on February 6

    January 28, 2016

    OTTAWA (Canada) – Hockey fans tuning in to Hockey Night in Canada are in for an added thrill on Saturday, February 6, when NAC Music Director Alexander Shelley leads the Orchestra’s Brass Choir in an exciting performance of the Canadian National Anthem to “set the stage” for Hockey Day in Canada! The Ottawa Senators will square off against the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7:00... Read more

  8. Nadia Sirota Joins Alexander Shelley in the Canadian premiere of Nico Muhly’s Electrifying Viola Concerto

    January 25, 2016

    OTTAWA (Canada) –  Nadia Sirota and the National Arts Centre Orchestra will perform the Canadian premiere of Nico Muhly's Viola Concerto at the National Arts Centre on Feb 17-18. This much anticipated work was commissioned by an international consortium of orchestras and organisations made up of Orquesta Nacionales de España, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Festival of Saint... Read more

  9. Indigenous storytelling at the NAC this week: World premiere concert, youth song project, art and reconciliation exhibition and panel discussion

    January 11, 2016

    OTTAWA – This week the National Arts Centre (NAC) invites the media to attend two days of Indigenous storytelling with fascinating performances, discussion and exhibition about the painful legacy of the residential school system in Canada. A highlight will be the world premiere of I Lost My Talk, composed by John Estacio and performed in Southam Hall by the NAC Orchestra under the direction... Read more

  10. Trevor Pinnock Conducts the NAC Orchestra in Handel’s Messiah December 15 & 16

    December 8, 2015

    OTTAWA (Canada) – Enjoy one of the most majestic pieces of music ever written, on December 15-16, when acclaimed conductor Trevor Pinnock leads the NAC Orchestra, in an uplifting performance of Handel’s Messiah. Trevor Pinnock is a renowned British conductor and harpsichordist. He was Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the NAC Orchestra from 1991 to 1996. For this Sun Life... Read more