Canadian National Arts Centre Orchestra Premieres This Years Season with Tosca, Opera in Concert (Sept 10 - 12, 2025)

 

Tosca Orchestra Event by NACO (Courtesy: National Arts Centre/Centre National Des Arts)

Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) unlike every year is hosting Tosca, as Premiering Opera Concert at Southam Hall. This Years Season, will be running a co-production with Edmonton Opera's Emerging Artist Program of Tosca, Giacomo Puccini's famous Opera. 

The Concert will be featuring Ailyn Perez (Soprano) in title character, Matthew Cairns (Tenor) as Mario Cavaradossi, Nathan Berg (Bass-baritone) as Baron Scarpia, joined by Ewashko Singers (Chorus) led by Laurence Ewashko (Director, Ewashko Singers). The Orchestra is directed by Joel Ivany (Artistic Director), who is directing this years opera with Alexander Shelley (NAC Orchestra Director). The Team also includes Michael Gianfrancesco (Stage Designer) and, Kimberly Purtell (Lighting Designer). The creative team has worked together on the production of Mozart's Don Giovanni (2023) organized by NACO. As partners with Edmonton Opera's Emerging Artist Program, the NAC Orchestra will host a cover cast of young singers will be studying this year under principal cast, conductor and director. The Orchestra's Resident Conductor (Henry Kennedy) will be Assistant Conductor to lead the workshop. 

The NAC has added the list of Events on the NAC Box Office, this includes following event of Canadian Violinist (Blake Pouliot) with Dmitri Shostakovich Pouliot & Shostakovich (Sept 17 -18, 2025) and Piano artist, Global Superstar Lang Lang (Sept 29, 2025). 

Buy your Tickets today. Do Check Out, Free Concert Series in Ottawa Region with Classic Symphony in Your Neighbourhood (Tickets on Sale for Meridian Theatre, Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre & Shenkman Arts Centre).

Alexander Shelley (Music Director/Conductor), (Courtesy: National Arts Centre Orchestra)

This Years (2025-26), Tosca event will be the Final season for the NAC Orchestra, Music Director (Alexander Shelley) a role which he was working in at NACO since, 2015. Alexander Shelley shared his remarks in his final message as "My first collaboration with the NAC Orchestra on an opera-an art form that is so close to my heart was Puccini’s La Bohème in 2012. To open my final season as NACO’s Music Director with another of Puccini’s masterpieces is an absolute joy. I’m looking forward to working alongside the talented young artists from Edmonton Opera’s Emerging Artist Program as we bring this iconic work to life on stage." 

Farewell Message by Alexander Shelley has been published at NAC, read full message at A Special Message from Alexander Shelley!

Following the Departure of Alexander Shelley, John Storgards (Finish Principal Guest Conductor) has been named as the Next Music Director for National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO). Click here to read the complete News release. 

John Storgard (Music Director, NACO) Courtesy: News Release NAC

John Storgards' last concert was WolfGANG Session#25 (A Wild Night of Chamber Music, Event - Feb 8, 2025). More videos, available to stream on NAC Orchestra!

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About National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO)

Canada’s National Arts Centre (NAC) Orchestra is praised for the passion and clarity of its performances, its visionary learning and engagement programs, and its unwavering support of Canadian creativity. The NAC Orchestra is based in Ottawa, Canada’s national capital, and has grown into one of the country’s most acclaimed and dynamic ensembles since its founding in 1969. Under the leadership of Music Director Alexander Shelley, the NAC Orchestra reflects the fabric and values of Canada, engaging communities from coast to coast to coast through inclusive programming, compelling storytelling, and innovative partnerships. More to read at NAC Orchestra History Page!

About Edmonton Opera's Emerging Artist Program (EOEAP)

Founded in 1963, Edmonton Opera is dedicated to producing great performances that showcase the powerful emotions of opera. With Evidental Believe's that arts are essential to healthy, vibrant communities, and our experience working alongside our patrons, donors, cast, crew, vendors, volunteers, partners (and our incredible team!) means we see this in action every day. We are proud of the social and economic benefits we provide to our region as we create art and experiences that resonate across communities. Please visit Edmonton Opera page to know more the program as Opera Season 25/26 is underway!

Click here for Volunteer Opportunities and Cureent Job Openings at Edmonton Opera!

About National Arts Centre (NAC)

The National Arts Centre (NAC) is Canada’s bilingual, multi-disciplinary home for the performing arts. The NAC presents, creates, produces, and co-produces performing arts programming in various streams - the NAC Orchestra, Dance, English Theatre, French Theatre, Indigenous Theatre, and Popular Music and Variety—and nurtures the next generation of audiences and artists from across Canada. The creation of Canada’s National Arts Centre was part of the explosion of pride and optimism that led to the celebration of Canada’s 100th birthday in 1967. It was the culmination of the aspirations of Canada’s leading artistic figures of the time. Many, such as Ludmilla Chiareff, Celia Franca, Jean Gascon, Louis Applebaum, Nicolas Goldschmidt, John Hirsch and Herman Geiger Torel, were the founders of our leading artistic companies and festivals and they worked collegially as advisors for both the physical design and future purpose of the NAC. (Source: About NAC).

Please visit the Careers page to see current openings with NAC!