Sharon and Timothy Ubben
Artistic and Music Director, Artis—Naples
Principal Conductor, National Symphony Orchestra Ireland
Artistic and Music Director, Pacific Symphony
One of the foremost conductors of his generation, Alexander Shelley is “a natural communicator, both on and off the podium” (The Daily Telegraph), appearing regularly across six continents with the world’s finest orchestras and soloists. A passionate and articulate advocate for the role of music in society, Alexander has spearheaded multiple award-winning and ground-breaking projects, unlocking creativity in the next generation and bringing symphonic music to new audiences.
With a conducting technique described as “immaculate, everything crystal clear” (Yorkshire Post), and with a “precision, distinction and beauty of gesture not seen since Lorin Maazel” (Le Devoir), Alexander is known for the integrity of his interpretations and for his creative programming. He has led over 50 major world premieres; highly praised cycles of Beethoven, Schumann and Brahms symphonies; operas; ballets; and innovative multimedia productions. He is admired in the industry for bringing the best possible sound out of orchestras.
Alexander regularly collaborates with internationally renowned soloists, including Emanuel Ax, Joshua Bell, Renée Fleming, Hilary Hahn, James Ehnes, Daniel Hope, Lang Lang and Daniil Trifonov. He is a regular guest with major orchestras of Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australasia, including Leipzig’s Gewandhaus Orchestra; the Konzerthausorchester Berlin; Orchestre de la Suisse Romande; Philharmonie Luxembourg; the Helsinki, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Malaysian, Oslo, Rotterdam and Stockholm philharmonic orchestras; and the São Paulo, Houston, Seattle, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Montreal, Toronto, Munich, Singapore, Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand symphony orchestras.
As an artistic and music director, Alexander is known for bold programming rooted in collaboration, creation and innovation. Since 2024, he has served as the Sharon and Timothy Ubben Artistic and Music Director of Artis—Naples, where he provides artistic leadership for the Naples Philharmonic and the wider multidisciplinary arts organization. In 2026-27, he also leads the Pacific Symphony in Southern California into a thrilling new era as its artistic and music director. Additionally, this season marks Alexander’s first full season as principal conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland (NSOI). Across each ensemble, Alexander is committed to presenting music as a complete artistic experience. With Artis—Naples and the Pacific Symphony, he leads two complete cycles of Beethoven’s symphonies, inviting audiences into a deeper engagement with the composer’s creative vision.
Alexander also champions the creation of new works by contemporary composers. In 2026 with the Naples Philharmonic, he premiered the orchestral version of African Queens, which brings together arias composed by each member of the “Blacknificent 7” collective of living Black contemporary composers: Jasmine Barnes, Damien Geter, Jessie Montgomery, Shawn Okpebholo, Dave Ragland, Carlos Simon and Joel Thompson, co-commissioned by Artis—Naples and the Pacific Symphony. In 2027, he will give the west coast premiere of this work with the Pacific Symphony. With NSOI, Alexander will offer the world premiere of Porcelain by Northern Irish composer Amelia Clarkson in addition to two Irish premieres of works by Anna Clyne and Kati Agócs.
During 2026-27, Alexander makes his debut with the Gstaad Festival Orchestra in Switzerland as a part of the Menuhin Festival’s 70th season. He also returns as a guest conductor with the Seattle Symphony, performing Ian Cusson’s 1Q84 alongside works by Sibelius and Rachmaninoff with pianist Benjamin Grosvenor.
Alexander served as music director of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra (NAC Orchestra) for 11 years and—assuming the role at age 35—was the youngest-ever director in its history. During his tenure, the ensemble was praised as “an orchestra transformed… hungry, bold, and unleashed” (Ottawa Citizen). His programming is credited for turning the ensemble “almost overnight… into one of the more audacious orchestras in North America” (Maclean’s). Through his leadership, the NAC Orchestra championed Canadian creation through its major tours, critically acclaimed recordings and the commissioning of more than 50 new works by Canadian composers. His work reflected the fabric and values of Canada, engaging communities from coast to coast through inclusive programming, compelling storytelling and visionary partnerships.
Alexander also served as principal associate conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from 2015 to 2026, touring both nationally and internationally with the ensemble, while also curating a series at London’s Cadogan Hall. As a conductor of opera, he has led productions with the Royal Danish Opera, Canadian Opera Company, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen and Opéra National de Montpellier. His eight-year tenure as chief conductor of the Nürnberger Symphoniker concluded in 2017, a period that was hailed as a golden era for the orchestra.
Born in London to celebrated concert pianists, Alexander studied cello and conducting in Germany and gained widespread attention when he was unanimously awarded first prize at the 2005 Leeds Conductors Competition, with the press describing him as “the most exciting and gifted young conductor to have taken this highly prestigious award.”
August 2026