National Symphony Orchestra Ireland appoints Alexander Shelley as Principal Conductor

The National Concert Hall (NCH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alexander Shelley as National Symphony Orchestra Ireland’s new Principal Conductor.

This will be for an initial term of three seasons, commencing in September 2026. Alexander will assume the role of Principal Conductor Designate with immediate effect. Alexander takes on these roles further to the completion of Jaime Martín’s term as Chief Conductor in May 2024. 

The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, welcomed the appointment stating:
“This announcement comes at a very exciting stage in the development of the National Concert Hall as a world-class centre for music, with National Symphony Orchestra Ireland now placed firmly at the heart of the NCH programme. I know that, as Principal Conductor, Alexander will bring all his artistry, energy, and experience to bear when leading the Orchestra into an adventurous new era of diverse programming and memorable performances that resonate and remain with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. I look forward to seeing him work together with our talented musicians to further enrich the cultural landscape of Ireland.”

Praised as a ‘natural communicator, both on and off the podium’ (Daily Telegraph), Alexander Shelley is one of the leading conductors of his generation. Currently Principal Associate Conductor with London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Artistic and Music Director of the Florida-based Artis–Naples, in 2026 he will assume the role of Artistic and Music Director of the Pacific Symphony in California on a five-year term with effect from 2026-2027. Since 2015, he has been Music Director of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, a role he concludes at the end of this season. He is also Founding Artistic Director of the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen’s ECHO and Deutsche Gründerpreis-winning “Zukunftslabor”.

As Principal Conductor, Alexander will feature prominently in National Symphony Orchestra Ireland’s performance schedule and in contributing to its artistic planning.

In his inaugural season, he will lead seven projects as part of the orchestra’s main season taking place between September 2026 and May 2027. As Principal Conductor Designate, he will conduct National Symphony Orchestra Ireland in two performances in the National Concert Hall’s Spring/Summer 2025 season. In February, they will join forces with National Symphony Chorus Ireland and five internationally renowned soloists to perform Schumann’s secular oratorio and concert hall rarity, Das Paradies und die Peri, based on Thomas Moore’s Lalla Rookh. In March, his programme showcases the music of John Adams, Rachmaninov and Stravinsky to illustrate how music speaks across time and borders. The programme will feature John Adams’ exhilarating Short Ride in a Fast Machine, the dazzling virtuosity of Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto with 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition winner Jaeden Izik-Dzurko as soloist, and Stravinsky’s colour-saturated The Firebird performed together with new visuals commissioned in partnership with Pacific Symphony and Artis–Naples. These concert will take place as part of the National Concert Hall’s Spring/Summer season, full details of which will be announced in October.

Speaking of his appointment, Alexander Shelley commented: 
“I am deeply honoured to be joining National Symphony Orchestra Ireland and to become part of an organisation so devoted to making music a central force in Ireland’s cultural life. I’m inspired by the extraordinary artistry of the Orchestra’s musicians, with whom I already share many happy memories, and by the bold vision of its leadership and stewards. On a personal note, this appointment holds special significance for me: my mother, whose parents were from Limerick and Mayo, was born in Dún Laoghaire and went to school in Monkstown, just a few miles from the National Concert Hall. My brother and his family reside in Dublin. I look forward to this next chapter with great anticipation.”

Welcoming Alexander’s appointment, Maura McGrath, Chairperson and Robert Read, CEO of the National Concert Hall commented:
“The National Concert Hall is delighted to welcome Alexander Shelley as Principal Conductor of National Symphony Orchestra Ireland. This appointment is a significant milestone for both the orchestra and for the National Concert Hall and another step in the organisation’s commitment to the orchestra since its transfer from RTÉ in January 2022. 

We welcome Alexander at a significant moment in the National Concert Hall’s own history, as we progress plans for an ambitious redevelopment project that will transform our spaces and enhance our ability to serve artists, audiences, and the community for generations to come. We look forward to Alexander being an important part of the next stage in our journey.”

Announcing his appointment, Joe Csibi, Head of Orchestra and Chorus at the National Concert Hall, commented: 
“It is my great pleasure to announce Alexander in this key role of Principal Conductor of National Symphony Orchestra Ireland. We welcome Alexander as a friend, having worked with him as a guest conductor on many occasions over the past decade. In February of this year, we had a rich, rewarding and fun time rehearsing and performing Brahms Violin Concerto, with Simone Lamsma as soloist, and Schumann’s ‘Rhenish’ Symphony in Leisureland, Galway and at the National Concert Hall.

Alexander’s career is going from strength to strength, his relationships and associations with international orchestras being testament to that. He brings an abundance of energy and commitment as well as a touching love of life and music to whatever he does. His encyclopaedic knowledge of repertoire, his enquiring mind and his appetite for discovery and adventure in music are great gifts to us all. We are hugely excited to explore a range of creative orchestral experiences with him over the coming years and to share these with audiences.”

Media Queries
Assumpta Lawless, Marketing & Communications Manager, National Symphony Orchestra Ireland.
Email: assumpta.lawless@nch.ie 
Mobile: 087 290 4168 

Notes to Editors

Alexander Shelley
Principal Conductor Designate

Performances with National Symphony Orchestra Ireland

February & March 2026
at the National Concert Hall

Friday 13 February 2026, 7.30pm

National Symphony Orchestra Ireland
Alexander Shelley, conductor 
Nardus Williams, soprano
Anna Devin, soprano
Avery Amereau, mezzo-soprano
Robin Tritschler, tenor
Mark Stone, baritone
National Symphony Chorus Ireland
David Young chorus director

Schumann Das Paradies und die Peri (Paradise and the Peri)

Tickets: €15, €27.50, €35, €42.50, €49
On sale date to be announced.

Friday 13 March 2026, 7.30pm
 
National Symphony Orchestra Ireland
Alexander Shelley, conductor 
Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, piano

John Adams Short Ride in a Fast Machine 
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 
Stravinsky The Firebird performed with new visuals commissioned in partnership with Pacific Symphony and Artis–Naples

Tickets: €15, €26.50, €33, €39, €45
On sale date to be announced.

About the National Concert Hall

The National Concert Hall (NCH) is Ireland’s national cultural institution for music, proudly serving the Irish public since it opened in 1981 through live music performances and significant educational and cultural programmes. Based in the heart of Dublin’s city centre, next door to the picturesque Iveagh Gardens, the NCH is proud home to our National Symphony Orchestra Ireland, as well as providing residence for a range of other music organisations including Chamber Choir Ireland, Irish Baroque Orchestra, Music Network, Crash Ensemble and Music Generation. It is currently planning for a major redevelopment of all facilities as part of the National Development Plan and Project Ireland 2040.

 

Ceapann Ceolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann Alexander Shelley mar Phríomhstiúrthóir 

Tá áthas ar an gCeoláras Náisiúnta a fhógairt go bhfuil Alexander Shelley ceaptha mar Phríomhstiúrthóir nua Cheolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann. Beidh an ceapachán seo ar feadh téarma tosaigh de thrí shéasúr, ag tosú i Meán Fómhair 2026.  Glacfaidh Alexander ról an Phríomhstiúrthóra Ainmnithe le héifeacht láithreach.  Tagann Alexander isteach sna róil seo tar éis do Jaime Martín a théarma mar Phríomhstiúrthóir a chríochnú i mBealtaine 2024. 

Chuir an tAire Cultúir, Cumarsáide agus Spóirt, Patrick O’Donovan, fáilte roimh an gceapachán, agus dúirt sé: 
“Tagann an fógra seo ag céim an-spreagúil i bhforbairt an Cheolárais Náisiúnta mar ionad ceoil den chéad scoth, agus Ceolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann anois ina croílár i gclár an Cheolárais Náisiúnta.  Tá a fhios agam go dtabharfaidh Alexander, mar Phríomhstiúrthóir a ealaíontóireacht, a fhuinneamh agus a thaithí go léir leis agus an Cheolfhoireann á treorú isteach i ré nua eachtrúil de chláir éagsúla a mhairfidh le lucht éisteachta de gach aois agus cúlra. Táim ag tnúth len é a fheiceáil ag obair i gcomhar lenár gceoltóirí cumasacha chun tírdhreach cultúrtha na hÉireann a shaibhriú tuilleadh .”

Agus é molta mar ‘chumarsáidí nádúrtha, ar an bpóidiam agus lasmuigh de’ (Daily Telegraph), tá Alexander Shelley ar dhuine de phríomhstiúrthóirí a ghlúine. Faoi láthair is Príomhstiúrthóir Comhlach é le Ceolfhoireann Fiolarmónach Ríoga Londain agus Stiúrthóir Ealaíne agus Ceoil ag Artis–Naples i bhFlorida. In 2026, glacfaidh sé ról Stiúrthóra Ealaíne agus Ceoil le Ceolfhoireann Shiansach an Aigéin Chiúin i gCalifornia ar théarma cúig bliana ó 2026-2027. Ó 2015, tá sé ina Stiúrthóir Ceoil ar Cheolfhoireann Ionad Náisiúnta na nEalaíon i gCeanada, ról a chríochnaíonn ag deireadh an tséasúir seo. Is é freisin Bunaitheoir Ealaíne Gründerpreis na Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen ECHO agus “Zukunftslabor” buaite aige. Is é freisin  Stiúrthóir Ealaíne Bunaitheach Echo na Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen agus bhuaigh sé an Deutscher Gründerpreis “Zukunftslabor”.  

Mar Phríomhstiúrthóir, beidh ról suntasach ag Alexander i sceideal léirithe Ceolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann agus i bpleanáil ealaíne na ceolfhoirne.

Ina shéasúr tionscnaimh, beidh sé i gceannas ar sheacht dtionscadal mar chuid de phríomhshéasúr na ceolfhoirne a bheidh ar siúl idir Meán Fómhair 2026 agus Bealtaine 2027. Mar Phríomhstiúrthóir Ainmnithe, déanfaidh sé Ceolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann a stiúradh in dhá léiriú i séasúr Earraigh/Samhraidh 2025 an Cheolárais Náisiúnta. I mí Feabhra, rachaidh siad i gcomhar le Cór Siansach Náisiúnta Éireann agus le cúigear aonréadaithe a bhfuil cáil idirnáisiúnta orthu chun oratorio saolta Schumann, Das Paradies und die Peri, a léiriú, bunaithe ar Lalla Rookh le Thomas Moore. I mí Márta, taispeánfaidh a chlár ceol John Adams, Rachmaninov agus Stravinsky chun a léiriú conas a labhraíonn ceol thar am agus teorainneacha. Beidh ar an gclár Short Ride in a Fast Machine spreagúil de chuid John Adams, sárchumas iontach Concerto Pianó Uimh. 3 le Rachmaninov le Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, buaiteoir Chomórtas Idirnáisiúnta Pianó Leeds 2024, mar aonréadaí, agus agus The Firebird le Stravinsky, lán le dathanna bríomhara, léirithe in éineacht le hamharcíomhánna nua a coimisiúnaíodh i gcomhpháirtíocht le Ceolfhoireann Shiansach an Aigéin Chiúin agus Artis–Naples. Beidh na ceolchoirmeacha seo ar siúl mar chuid de shéasúr Earraigh/Samhraidh an Cheoláras Náisiúnta, a bhfógrófar sonraí iomlána ina leith i mí Dheireadh Fómhair.

Ag labhairt dó faoina cheapachán, dúirt Alexander Shelley:
“Is mór an onóir dom a bheith páirteach in Ceolfhoireanna Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann agus a bheith mar chuid d'eagraíocht atá chomh tiomanta sin d'fhórsa lárnach a dhéanamh den cheol i saol cultúrtha na hÉireann. Tá mé spreagtha ag an ealaíontóireacht urghnách de chuid cheoltóirí na Ceolfoirne, a bhfuil go leor cuimhní sona agam leo cheana, agus ag fís dhána a ceannairí agus a caomhnóirí. Ar nóta pearsanta, tá tábhacht ar leith ag baint leis an gceapachán seo domsa: rugadh mo mháthair, arbh as Luimneach agus Maigh Eo dá tuismitheoirí, i nDún Laoghaire agus chuaigh sí ar scoil i mBaile na Manach, díreach cúpla míle ón gCeoláras Náisiúnta. Tá cónaí ar mo dheartháir agus a chlann i mBaile Átha Cliath. Táim ag súil go mór leis an gcéad chaibidil eile seo .”

Agus í ag cur fáilte roimh cheapachán Alexander, dúirt Maura McGrath, Cathaoirleach agus  Robert Read, POF an Cheolárais Náisiúnta:
“Tá ríméad ar an gCeoláras Náisiúnta fáilte a chur roimh Alexander Shelley mar Phríomhstiúrthóir Cheolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann. Cloch mhíle shuntasach is ea an ceapachán seo don cheolfhoireann agus don Cheoláras Náisiúnta agus céim eile i dtiomantas na heagraíochta don cheolfhoireann ó aistríodh é ó RTÉ i mí Eanáir 2022. 

Cuirimid fáilte roimh Alexander ag nóiméad suntasach i stair an Cheolárais Náisiúnta féin, agus muid ag cur pleananna chun cinn do thionscadal athfhorbartha uaillmhianach a dhéanfaidh ár spásanna a athrú ó bhonn agus a chuirfidh lenár gcumas freastal ar ealaíontóirí, ar lucht féachana, agus ar an bpobal ar feadh na nglúnta atá le teacht. Táimid ag tnúth le Alexander a bheith ina chuid thábhachtach den chéad chéim eile inár dturas .”

Agus a cheapachán á fhógairt aige, dúirt Joe Csibi, Ceann Ceolfhoirne agus Cóir san Cheoláras Náisiúnta:
“Is cúis mhór áthais dom é Alexander a fhógairt sa phríomhról seo mar Phríomhstiúrthóir Cheolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann. Cuirimid fáilte roimh Alexander mar chara, tar éis dúinn a bheith ag obair leis mar aoi-stiúrthóir ar go leor ócáidí le deich mbliana anuas. I mí Feabhra na bliana seo, bhí am saibhir, tairbheach agus spraíúil againn ag cleachtadh agus ag seinm Concerto Violin Brahms, le Simone Lamsma mar aonréadaí, agus Siansa ’Rhenish' Schumann i Leisureland, Gaillimh agus sa Cheoláras Náisiúnta.

Tá gairm Alexander ag dul ó neart go neart, a chaidrimh agus a cheangail le ceolfhoirne idirnáisiúnta mar theist air sin. Tugann sé raidhse fuinnimh agus tiomantais chomh maith le grá móthúchánach don saol agus don cheol do cibé rud a dhéanann sé. Is bronntanas iontach dúinn uile a chuid eolais iontach ar repertoire, a intinn fiosrach agus ar a dhúil i bhfionnachtain agus in eachtraíocht sa cheol. Táimid ag súil go mór le réimse eispéireas cruthaitheach ceolfhoirne a iniúchadh leis sna blianta amach romhainn agus iad seo a roinnt leis an lucht féachana .”

Fiosrúcháin Meán
Assumpta Lawless, Bainisteoir Margaíochta & Cumarsáide, Ceolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann.
Ríomhphost: assumpta.lawless@nch.ie 
Fón Póca: 087 290 4168 

Nótaí d'eagarthóirí

Alexander Shelley
Príomhstiúrthóir Ainmnithe

Léirithe le Ceolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann

Feabhra & Márta 2026
sa Cheoláras Náisiúnta

Dé hAoine 13 Feabhra 2026, 7.30i.n.

Ceolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann
Alexander Shelley, stiúrthóir
Nardus Williams, soprán
Anna Devin, soprán
Avery Amereau, mezzo-soprán
Robin Tritschler, teanóir
Mark Stone, baratón
Cór Siansach Náisiúnta Éireann
David Young stiúrthóir cóir

Schumann Das Paradies und die Peri (Parthas agus an Peri)

Ticéid:  €15, €27.50, €35, €42.50, €49
Dáta ar díol le fógairt.

Dé hAoine 13 Márta 2026, 7.30pm

Ceolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann
Alexander Shelley, stiúrthóir
Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, pianó

John Adams Short Ride in a Fast Machine 
Rachmaninov Concerto Pianó Uimh. 3  
Stravinsky The Firebird léirithe le hamharcíomhánna nua a coimisiúnaíodh i gcomhpháirtíocht le Ceolfhoireann Shiansach an Aigéin Chiúin agus Artis–Naples

Ticéid: €15, €26.50, €33, €39, €45
Dáta ar díol le fógairt.

Faoin gCeoláras Náisiúnta

Is é an Ceoláras Náisiúnta institiúid náisiúnta chultúrtha na hÉireann don cheol, a fhreastalaíonn go bródúil ar phobal na hÉireann ó osclaíodh é i 1981 trí thaibhithe ceoil beo agus cláir shuntasacha oideachais agus chultúrtha. Lonnaithe i gcroílár Bhaile Átha Cliath, agus béal dorais le Gairdíní Uíbh Eachach, tá an Ceoláras Náisiúnta bródúil as Ceolfhoireann Shiansach Náisiúnta Éireann, chomh maith le háit chónaithe a chur ar fáil do réimse eagraíochtaí ceoil eile lena n-áirítear Cór Aireagail Éireann, Ceolfhoireann Bharócach na hÉireann, Music Network, Crash Ensemble agus Music Generation.Tá sé i gceist faoi láthair athfhorbairt mhór a dhéanamh ar na háiseanna go léir mar chuid den Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta agus de Thionscadal Éireann 2040.

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