Event
An American in Paris and The Firebird Suite
Naples Philharmonic Masterworks
Naples Philharmonic
Alexander Shelley, artistic and music director designate
Jess Gillam, saxophone
Gershwin — An American in Paris
Anna Clyne — Glasslands for Saxophone and Orchestra*
Ravel — La valse
Stravinsky — The Firebird Suite
*Artis—Naples co-commission
Artistic and Music Director Designate Alexander Shelley returns to continue an exploration of the art of George Gershwin in a Masterworks program showcasing a range of musical styles. Opening with Gershwin’s An American in Paris, the orchestra takes audiences on a stroll through the bustling streets of the French capital, with its jazz-inspired rhythms and lively energy. The program also includes Anna Clyne’s Glasslands, an Artis—Naples co-commission featuring saxophonist extraordinaire Jess Gillam. Bringing to life the shimmering beauty of a waltz, Ravel’s La valse evokes a sense of romance and nostalgia. Alexander and the orchestra conclude the performance with Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite, a stunning work and true 20th-century masterpiece that encapsulates Stravinsky’s visionary world of music.
Prelude at 7pm
Join the conductor before the performance for an insightful 30-minute prelude discussion about the program.
Music and Museum
All Masterworks tickets include same-day admission to The Baker Museum. Museum hours on day of performance: 10am-8pm. In addition, the doors to Hayes Hall will open 90 minutes prior to this performance. Arrive early to enjoy the exhibitions and light fare available at Heidi's Place.
The Artistic and Music Director position is generously endowed by Sharon and Timothy Ubben.
The March 14 performance is generously sponsored by Roger and Kathy Marino.
The March 15 performance is generously sponsored by the Dr. Huayi Zhang Charitable Fund.
The season-long celebration of George Gershwin is generously supported by the Collier County Tourist Development Council.
Tickets start at $29
Naples Philharmonic
Naples Philharmonic
Founded in 1982, the Naples Philharmonic normally performs over 140 orchestral and chamber concerts, as well as opera and ballet, education, community and special event concerts from September through June each year.
Meet the Musicians
Alexander Shelley
Artistic and Music Director Designate Meet Alexander
Jack Everly
Principal Pops Conductor Meet Jack
James Ehnes
Artistic Partner Meet James
Radu Paponiu
Associate Conductor Meet Radu
Alvin Ho
Assistant Conductor Meet Alvin
Alexander Shelley
Alexander Shelley
A “natural communicator, both on and off the podium” (The Daily Telegraph), Alexander Shelley performs across six continents with the world’s finest orchestras and soloists. A passionate and articulate advocate for the role of music in society, he has spearheaded multiple award-winning and groundbreaking projects unlocking creativity in the next generation and bringing symphonic music to new audiences.
With a conducting technique described as “immaculate, everything crystal clear and a tool to his inborn musicality” (Yorkshire Post), Alexander is known for the precision and integrity of his interpretations, for his creative programming and for the breadth of his repertoire. He collaborates with artists such as Lang-Lang, Joshua Bell, Daniel Hope, Hélène Grimaud, Itzhak Perlman, Renée Fleming and Thomas Hampson alongside some of the finest orchestras of Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australasia.
As of January 2015, Alexander has served as principal associate conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom he curates an annual series of concerts at Cadogan Hall and tours both nationally and internationally. In September 2015, Alexander succeeded Pinchas Zukerman as music director of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, the youngest in its history.
In 2016, Alexander was awarded the ECHO prize for his second Deutsche Grammophon recording, Peter and the Wolf, and both the ECHO and Deutsche Grunderpreis in his capacity as artistic director of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen’s Zukunftslabor, a visionary project of grass-roots engagement, which uses music as a source for social cohesion and integration.
He has a wealth of experience conducting and presenting major open-air events; in Nuremberg alone, he has, over the course of nine years, hosted more than half a million people at the annual Klassik Open Air concerts — Europe’s largest classical music event.
Meet Alexander
Program Book
Program Book
View this month's program book to get general information about Artis—Naples and to read articles about this month’s activities. View the program insert* for specific information about this event.
Program Book
Program Insert
* Program inserts will be available online approximately ten days prior to the event.
