News Releases

  1. Truth in Our Time: Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra and Alexander Shelley present the world premiere recording of Philip Glass's Symphony No. 13

    February 9, 2024

    Truth in Our Time complements American minimalist’s new symphony with compelling programming including Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9, Korngold’s Violin Concerto, featuring James Ehnes, and potent contemporary works by Nicole Lizée and Yao   "The concert was as much a capsule presentation of the orchestra as an institution as well as a performing ensemble.... Read more

  2. Call for Applications: National Arts Centre Orchestra Announces New Resident Conductor Program

    February 1, 2024

    Canadian, early-career professional conductors are invited to apply by March 7  February 1, 2024 – OTTAWA (Canada) – The National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) is expanding its suite of professional development programs with the announcement of a new Resident Conductor Program.  The new two-year position, commencing at the start of NACO’s 2024-25 season, provides... Read more

  3. The NAC Orchestra Bursary Competition opens for applications

    November 30, 2023

    Close to $25,000 to be awarded to talented young musicians from across Canada   November 30, 2023 – OTTAWA (Canada) – The National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) continues to nurture young musical talent in Canada’s National Capital Region with its 2024 NAC Orchestra Bursary Competition, which opens to applications on Friday, December 1st, 2023.   ... Read more

  4. Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra announces groundbreaking recording project, commissioning four Canadian composers

    November 17, 2023

    New recording cycle led by Alexander Shelley sees the NAC Orchestra premiering new works by Canadian composers alongside Richard Strauss masterpieces, November 22 and 23 at Southam Hall, broadcast live on November 23 November 17, 2023 – OTTAWA – Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) is thrilled to unveil a pioneering music project that promises to redefine the boundaries... Read more

  5. NAC GALA : Celebrating Arts Education in Canada Over the Past 25 years

    November 1, 2023

    The NAC Gala in support of the National Youth and Education Trust has raised over $15 million through the years. November 1, 2023 – OTTAWA, Canada — This evening, on the occasion of its 2023 Gala featuring world-renowned soprano Renée Fleming, the National Arts Centre (NAC) and its orchestra, led by Music Director Alexander Shelley,... Read more

  6. Alexander Shelley and Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra conclude critically acclaimed album series with fall festival and final release

    August 25, 2023

    Clara, Robert, Johannes: Romance and Counterpoint unites performances by Angela Hewitt, Stewart Goodyear, Yosuke Kawasaki and the NAC Orchestra of Clara’s Romances for violin and piano Op. 22 and rarely heard solo piano works alongside the fourth symphonies of Robert Schumann and Brahms. AUGUST 25, 2023 – OTTAWA – Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra and its Music... Read more

  7. The NAC celebrates 25 years of the annual Gala with soprano Renée Fleming and the NAC Orchestra

    August 24, 2023

    The 2023 edition is a musical and celebratory tribute to philanthropists Janice and Earle O’Born.   OTTAWA, Canada, August 24, 2023 — World-renowned soprano Renée Fleming will headline the 25th NAC Gala on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, in Southam Hall. For the first time since 2013, she will share the stage with... Read more

  8. NAC Orchestra presents free Canada Day Concert with Alexander Shelley, Iskwē, Alex Hetherington, and YAO.

    June 20, 2023

    The Canada Day Concert will take place at Southam Hall on July 1st at 2:30pm. Admission is free. Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated Canada Day Concert, a showcase of exceptional musical talent by Canadian artists and composers. On July 1st, music director Alexander Shelley will lead the Orchestra in concert with singer-songwriter... Read more

  9. Your Stories, Your Stage: The National Arts Centre Unveils its 2023-2024 Season

    May 11, 2023

    YOUR STORIES, YOUR STAGE: THE NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE UNVEILS ITS 2023-2024 SEASON Time to mark your calendars—a wide variety of music, dance and theatre will fill up any wish lists of live performances MAY 11, 2023 – OTTAWA, CANADA – The NAC’s artistic leaders have created a line-up packed with a blend of powerful new works and treasured classics for the 2023-2024 season,... Read more

  10. The National Arts Centre Orchestra collaborates with Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity to present Mozart's epic Don Giovanni

    April 25, 2023

    After a pause of more than four years, opera returns to the National Arts Centre on Thursday, June 15, and Saturday, June 17. April 25, 2023 – OTTAWA – In collaboration with the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, the National Arts Centre (NAC) is proud to present the music of Mozart’s epic opera, Don Giovanni. Overflowing with comedy, tragedy, drama, and the supernatural, Don... Read more