Alexander Shelley Named Artistic and Music Director of Artis-Naples

The English conductor will step into the role at the beginning of the 2024/25 season, for an initial four-year term

Florida's Artis—Naples is home to the Naples Philharmonic and the Baker Museum. Each season, Artis─Naples presents a wide array of classical and popular music, jazz, theater, dance, and film — including the recent Florida debuts of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berliner Philharmoniker, and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Following a unanimous vote, the English conductor Alexander Shelley has been named as the new Artistic and Music Director of Artis-Naples. He will step into the role at the beginning of the 2024/25 season, for an initial term of four years.

Shelley has already established a firm relationship with the orchestra, having made his Naples Philharmonic debut in 2022 with Wagner's Tristan und Isolde. He then returned in January of 2023, leading the orchestra in a performance of works by Gabriela Montero, Emilie Mayer, and Beethoven.

Originally a cellist, Alexander Shelley began his conducting career at 29, when he was appointed the youngest-ever Chief Conductor of the Nürnberger Symphoniker. He regularly appears across six continents with some of the world's finest orchestras and soloists. Shelley is presently Music Director at Canada's National Arts Centre and Principal Associate Conductor at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

"On behalf of the entire search committee, I can say with certainty that we are thrilled that Alexander Shelley will be joining our fine institution," said Lynne Haarlow, Artis-Naples Board member and Chair of Search Committee.

"Chairing this committee was a great responsibility and I am so proud of the group for their dedication and thoughtfulness throughout this process. I know we have chosen an engaging and talented artistic leader in Alexander, who we are all eager to welcome."

"The rich foundations that have been laid over recent decades at this vibrant multidisciplinary arts organization fill me with optimism and ambition for all that we can build together in the coming years," Shelley said of his appointment.

"The spirit of the orchestra is infectious in its passion and musicianship, the administrative and artistic leadership inspirational, and the community fully engaged in cementing Artis-Naples as a Floridian and national hub for the Arts in the 21st Century."