Event
Fleming and Hampson
Naples Philharmonic Masterworks
Naples Philharmonic
Alexander Shelley, artistic and music director
Renée Fleming, soprano
Thomas Hampson, baritone
Naples Philharmonic Chorus
Jeremy T. Warner, director
Beethoven — Overture to Fidelio
Shostakovich — Symphony No. 9
John Adams — Three Scenes from Nixon in China
Two of the most esteemed singers of our time join Artistic and Music Director Alexander Shelley and the Naples Philharmonic for a program that explores political landscapes and themes of power, freedom and totalitarianism. Five-time Grammy Award-winning soprano Renée Fleming and Thomas Hampson — one of America’s foremost baritones, a Library of Congress Living Legend and a leading figure in song and opera — bring their artistry to a program featuring works shaped by ideology and dissent. From Beethoven’s Fidelio in its struggle for freedom against tyranny and Shostakovich’s symphonic mockery of pretentious Stalinism to Adams’ dive into the iconic figures in Nixon in China, this program traces music forged in moments of political tension, turmoil and transformation.
Prelude at 6:30pm
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-7:30pm. 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.
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 Meet Alexander
Jack Everly
Principal Pops Conductor Meet Jack
James Ehnes
Artistic Partner Meet James
Manuel López-Gómez
Associate Conductor Meet Manuel
Alexander Shelley
Alexander Shelley
Sharon and Timothy Ubben Artistic and Music Director
Alexander Shelley was named Sharon and Timothy Ubben artistic and music director in April 2023. He begins his tenure in this role in the 2024-25 season following a successful designate year in 2023-24 and will continue in the role through the end of the decade. As artistic and music director of Artis—Naples, Alexander provides artistic leadership for the entire multidisciplinary organization, including The Baker Museum and the Naples Philharmonic.
This appointment marks Alexander’s first titled position in the U.S. In addition to his role with Artis—Naples, the 2026-27 season marks his first year as principal conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland and music director of the Pacific Symphony. He continues to serve as principle associate conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra — a position he has held since 2015.
Meet Alexander
Renée Fleming
Renée Fleming
One of the most beloved and celebrated singers of our time, 2023 Kennedy Center Honoree Renée Fleming captivates audiences with her sumptuous voice, consummate artistry and compelling stage presence. A 2023 Kennedy Center Honoree, winner of five Grammy Awards and the U.S. National Medal of Arts, she has sung for momentous occasions from the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony to the Diamond Jubilee for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. A groundbreaking distinction came in 2008 when she became the first woman in the 125-year history of the Metropolitan Opera to solo headline an opening night gala, and, in 2014, she became the first classical artist ever to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl.
Recently, her latest recital and concert program, Voice of Nature: the Anthropocene, inspired by her 2023 Grammy Award-winning album, includes an original film created by the National Geographic Society to reflect the musical selections. Concert performances included appearances in London, Vienna, Milan, Los Angeles and at Carnegie Hall.
Over the past decade, she has recorded everything from complete operas and song recitals to indie rock and jazz. Known for bringing new audiences to classical music and opera, Fleming has sung with Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Elton John, Paul Simon, Sting and Joan Baez. Additionally, she has hosted a wide variety of television and radio broadcasts. Her voice is featured on the soundtracks of Best Picture Oscar winners The Shape of Water and The Lord of the Rings.
Thomas Hampson
Thomas Hampson
Long recognized as one of the most innovative musicians of our time, American baritone Thomas Hampson has received countless international honors for his singular artistry and cultural leadership. His operatic repertoire comprises more than 80 roles, and his discography includes more than 170 albums, with multiple nominations and wins of the Grammy Award, Edison Award and the Grand Prix du Disque.
Recently, Hampson stage-directed and sang Don Alfonso in a concert performance of Mozart’s Così fan tutte with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal and repeated the role at the Bayerische Staatsoper. He starred in Barber’s Vanessa with the National Symphony Orchestra, joined a special concert celebrating American works with Renée Fleming and Denyce Graves, and starred as Bishop Edward Vergerus in Mikael Karlsson’s new opera based on Ingmar Bergman’s Fanny and Alexander at La Monnaie.
His concert schedule featured collaborations with the MDR Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Baden-Baden Philharmonic, the Würth Philharmonic Orchestra and many others. He also sang the world premiere of Johannes Burgert’s Minute Piece with the Stuttgarter Philharmoniker and appeared with pianist Wolfram Rieger, performing a recital at the Brucknerhaus Linz, Palais Montcalm and the Boulezsaal.
Naples Philharmonic Chorus
Naples Philharmonic Chorus
Founded in 1991, the Naples Philharmonic Chorus is made up of adult singers of all ages and backgrounds, and performs in both pops and classical concerts each season with the Naples Philharmonic, including the orchestra’s popular Holiday Pops and Patriotic Pops programs.
Naples Philharmonic Chorus
Jeremy T. Warner
Jeremy T. Warner
Jeremy T. Warner is a conductor and choral leader dedicated to building vibrant musical communities and creating performances that connect singers and audiences through shared purpose, craft and joy. Now proudly based in Naples, Florida, he is in his fourth year as director of the Naples Philharmonic Chorus, where he continues to shape an ambitious choral program and foster a culture of musical excellence and belonging. He most recently served as chorus director for Opera Naples’ Festival Under the Stars production of Puccini’s Turandot under the leadership of Ramón Tebar.
Former appointments include the Memphis Symphony Chorus, Memphis Men’s Chorale, Memphis Women’s Chorale, Memphis ChoralArts and the Salzburg College Chorale. Jeremy has prepared choirs for a wide range of choral-orchestral performances and touring productions, including The Legend of Zelda concert experience, and has led ensembles in performance tours throughout Germany and Austria.
Jeremy holds a Master of Music in choral conducting from the University of Memphis and a Bachelor of Music in theory and composition from Union University. He also completed three additional years of doctoral study in choral conducting and pursued further artistic development at the Mozarteum University Salzburg and the Eastman School of Music. He was selected to conduct in the National Conductor’s Symposium with the Vancouver Chamber Choir. He is especially passionate about imaginative, audience-centered programming and the power of choral music to foster connection across communities.
Meet Jeremy
