Alexander Shelley has been named the next music director of the Naples Philharmonic, succeeding Andrey Boreyko as the director beginning in 2024. Shelley brings with him experience from conducting two concerts featuring Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde – An Orchestral Passion in February 2022 and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony in January 2023, and an understanding of the vital role that the arts can play in the daily lives of a community.
We are proud to announce that Alexander Shelley, a conductor with family ties to Naples stretching back to his childhood years, will become the next music director of the Naples Philharmonic beginning in 2024. He will provide artistic leadership for the Naples Philharmonic, as well as for the entire Artis–Naples organization, for a four-year term, succeeding Andrey Boreyko whose tenure concluded in 2022. This announcement was made today by Artis–Naples Board Chair Lois D. Juliber and CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen.
Alexander Shelley’s appointment marks his first titled position in the U.S. In addition to his role at Artis–Naples, Shelley will remain music director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Canada, and principal associate conductor of London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a position he has held since 2015.
Artis–Naples CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen proudly praised Shelley’s work, not only as a musician, but also for his understanding of the vital role that the arts can play in the daily lives of a community. Under Shelley’s leadership, Artis–Naples will continue to expand its multidisciplinary programming, placing emphasis on its relationship with the local community. He has already conducted two concerts in Naples featuring Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde – An Orchestral Passion in February 2022 and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony in January 2023.
Alexander Shelley was no stranger to Naples, having heard about the city since his childhood when his father, renowned pianist Howard Shelley, visited for guest artist appearances with the Naples Philharmonic. It wasn’t until January 2022, however, that he had the opportunity to visit himself – this time as a guest conductor.
In brief, with Alexander Shelley’s dedicated commitment to the Naples Philharmonic as music director, Artis-Naples is poised to continue to expand its repertoire while sustaining strong ties to the community. His impressive background and passionate musicianship will provide Artis-Naples and the Naples comunity new vibrancy and remarkable creativity into the foreseeable future.
