Alexander Shelley
(c) Nürnberger Symphoniker
The 45-year-old British conductor Alexander Shelley has been appointed Music Director of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra in Irvine, California. Shelley’s contract foresees an initial five-year term beginning in the 2026-27 season.
Shelley will serve as Music Director Designate during the 2025-26 season, before assuming full artistic leadership in 2026-27. He will be the third music director for the orchestra after founder Keith Clark (1979-88) and St. Clair, who started in 1990 and will become music director laureate in 2025-26.
Alexander Shelley has been music director of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Ontario, since 2015. He was chief conductor of the Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra from 2009-17, and this season began as artistic and music director of Artis-Naples in Florida.
