Welcome to the NAC Orchestra’s 2023-2024 season, filled with moments for renewal, for connection and for celebration.
Whether you have been to a concert before or are hearing your NAC Orchestra for the first time, I can promise you an unparalleled experience.
Very close to my heart is our opening festival, Focus: Clara, Robert, Johannes. It is the culmination of a multi-year recording project of which the Orchestra and I are immensely proud. Our festival celebrates three great composers and friends—Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann, and Johannes Brahms—and includes performances by some of the most interesting names in classical music, including the wonderful pianist Emanuel Ax, our dear friend James Ehnes, and debuts by two brilliant artists, pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason and cellist Nicolas Altstaedt.
Throughout the season, you will hear a full spectrum of gorgeous symphonic music, including Rimsky-Korsakov’s evocative Scheherazade and the ever-inspiring Symphony No. 9 by Beethoven.
The Pops series showcases The best of Broadway and cinema, with both Home Alone and Jurassic Park; and you can bring the whole family to Kinderconcerts and NACO Family Adventures for extraordinary musical experiences for all ages.
I remain inspired by the dedication and the skill of our NACO musicians, and by the warmth and generosity of our audience.
Alexander Shelley succeeded Pinchas Zukerman as Music Director of Canada’s NAC Orchestra in September 2015. The ensemble has since been praised as being “transformed... hungry, bold, and unleashed” (Ottawa Citizen) and Shelley’s programming credited for turning the orchestra into “one of the more audacious in North America” (Maclean’s).
Shelley is a champion of Canadian creation; recent hallmarks include the multimedia projects Life Reflected and UNDISRUPTED,and three major new ballets in partnership with NAC Dance for Encount3rs. He is passionate about arts education and nurturing the next generation of musicians. He is an Ambassador for Ottawa’s OrKidstra, a charitable social development program that teaches children life skills through making music together.
Alexander Shelley is also the Principal Associate Conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and, starting with the 2024–2025 season, Artistic and Music Director of Artis-Naples and the Naples Philharmonic in Florida, USA. In the spring of 2019, he led the NAC Orchestra on its critically acclaimed 50th Anniversary European tour, and in 2017, he led the Orchestra in a tour across Canada, celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary. Most recently, he led the Orchestra in its first performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 30 years.
He has made eight recordings with the NAC Orchestra, including the JUNO-nominated New Worlds, Life Reflected, ENCOUNT3RS, The Bounds of Our Dreams, and the acclaimed Clara, Robert, Johannes four-album series, all with Canadian label Analekta.
The Music Director role is supported by Elinor Gill Ratcliffe, C.M., O.N.L., LL.D. (hc)
Play it forward! A bold and innovative professional development initiative for talented emerging and early career professional orchestral creatives from around the world.
New recording pairs Philip Glass’s new symphony with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9, Korngold’s Violin Concerto featuring James Ehnes, and contemporary works by Nicole Lizée and Yao.
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Classical
Masterworks
In-person
Ages 5-12
Family
Classical
In-person
Classical
Pops
In-person
Classical
Masterworks
In-person
Masterworks
Vocal
Free
Livestream
Masterworks
Vocal
In-person
Classical
Masterworks
In-person
Ages 3-8
Family
Singer
In-person
Ages 3-8
Family
Singer
New album
