Maestro Alexander Shelley : Midsummer Nights Dreaming of Him

Incoming! The NAC has a new Music Director in Residence and his name is Maestro Alexander Shelley. 

He has been a guest conductor numerous times at the NAC (La Boheme in 2011, Midsummer Nights Dream 2014, and Roadrunner in 2015). He has conducted for the Nuremberg Symphony for 7 years and has toured Italy, Belgium, China and has a re- invitation to the Musikverein in Vienna!

His crazy schedule has given him international recognition, winning him the titles of first prize at the 2005 Leeds Conductors Competition. The press described him as "the most exciting and gifted young conductor to have taken this highly prestigious award. His conducting technique is immaculate, everything crystal clear and a tool to his inborn musicality."

He brings new ideas and works to the NAC and brings a new breadth of life to the NAC which it was starting to lack. Hopefully his new view on music will help the NAC turn into a hub fo

There are numerous videos and podcasts pertaining to Maestro Shelley, yet here is one that talk about his work in La Boheme (which I can proudly say I participated in.)
                           http://nac-cna.ca/en/podcasts/nacocast/la-boheme-with-alexander-shelley  

I got the chance to listen in to an interview at the end of the night of the final show of Midsummer Nights Dream, and Maestro was so well spoken. His ideas and view on the show was so interesting, plus he mentioned that he would like to incorporate the young talent here in Ottawa, which I think is a brilliant idea.

I got the time to speak to him (yet, I managed to put my foot in my mouth and said "Last time I worked with you, I was a boy!- Wait, No sorry, I was playing a boy...in La boheme....) and he was so supportive of my goals and wished me the best. I can say I genuinely appreciate his wise and supportive words and will always remember them.

Not only is Maestro Shelley an amazing cellist, maestro and person, he has the ability to make all the chorus girls swoon. Then again, I promised myself i'd marry an Englishman who had a fond love for the Arts once I had discovered Tom Hiddleston.

Brace yourselves, I can hear the bells...

Until next time,

Tessa

P.S, We wouldn't be booking a wedding band, when we can have the whole NAC orchestra....